impeachment? >> sandra: don't know, a lot of news this morning. "outnumbered" starts right now. >> we begin with serious news here, fox news alert, we are awaiting president trump at the white house where he is set to unveil a long-awaited middle east peace plan. we are also less than an hour away from the president's defense team wrapping up opening statements in the impeachment trial. the president will be joined by israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu for today's big announcement. the proposal, we know ahead of it, calls for a two state solution, if the palestinians reach certain benchmarks. however, palestinian leaders already say they are objecting to the plan, and around and around we go. you are watching "outnumbered" i'm harris faulkner, here today melissa francis, katie pavlich, iona college particle science

professor, jeanne zaino, in the center seat, our friend guy benson, fox news contributor, host of the "guy benson radio show" we say he is outnumbered. we will bring him out to the couch and just one second, let's do this for us, though. chief white house correspondent john roberts is live now with the latest on all of us, john, big day shaping up. >> it is, no question about that, harris, good afternoon, many presidents have tried, all presidents have failed to develop a comprehensive middle east plan. remember, 20 years ago bill clinton tried and it fell apart in spectacular fashion. now president trump and the white house are going to try to do it in incremental fashion. i've seen the outline of the plants, i've seen a map of what this will all look like under the proposal, they will be unveiling that soon, it calls for a two state solution. the current state of israel and an "future state of palestine" encompassed in a lot of the west bank, gaza and two new pieces of land will be part of a land swap that will be south of gaza,

almost along the egyptian border. the way that this will work, is that the israelis will maintain security for israel and the palestinian territory, the palestinians will be allowed to develop, may be a police force or something like that, but the overall security of the area will be up to israel. there is a narrow strip of land between the west bank in the jordan river, the jordan river valley, that will forever be israeli sovereignty, and will be subject to israeli security, though the palestinians will be allowed, at some point, if things go well, to move in there with some sort of civil sovereignty. that might be establishing farms or other things like that. so, initially, israel will maintain control of the entire area, but over time, the palestinians will be allowed autonomy in the west bank and gaza, to areas south of gaza, and as well, very importantly, a portion of east jerusalem, because the palestinians have said there can be no peace deal without a palestinian capital in

east jerusalem. one of the other things that israel is promising to do here, is to suspend settlement construction for four years as a good-faith measure while this plan it's rolled out, and other important things, there are israeli elections that are coming up on march 2nd, both benjamin netanyahu and of the blue and white party leader, benny gantz, who is here at the white house yesterday have agreed that they will implement, regardless of who wins the election. so this does seem to be, something that is at least, in terms of the mental east, relative certainty, we set at the top of this that the palestinians are not necessarily in favor of this plan, the president acknowledge that yesterday, but said that when the details are rolled out, when the plane is rolled out, he believes the palestinians will come along. one thing the white house wants people to know is that this more than doubles the amount of territory currently, under palestinian control. so while this does lean in israel's favor, this is offering

a lot more, white house officials say, to the palestinians and has been reported thus far, here is. >> all right, john roberts, thank you, of course you are in the east room there, as things kick along we will come back, straight away as soon as the president takes the podium there. let's bring it back to the couch, we have the plan, it was an embargo dental 4 minutes ago, melissa, one jumps out you? >> this is not the first time israel has agreed to a ian state with defined borders. that seems like a very big deal, i remember when the president was campaigning and he said that number one, we wanted to have peace in jerusalem, he also said he would be in favor of a two state solution, there were people that were very upset about that. at this point, it looks like he is making good on this idea. i know they say that palestinians aren't happy about this already, there are a lot of benchmarks they have to make to get there, but this, i don't know, it looks like a decent road map. >> i wonder, as you say that

again, the report is that some palestinian leaders are not happy with this, but don't they kind of have to have to do thein theround political calculations just like everybody else? do you really want to be sitting in the background going yeah, we love america, so i sort of can get some of that. but what can they get out of the sky? >> they can get state, right? that is hypothetically, the final element of this that would be implemented if benchmarks were met. look, i love the idea behind this, i think the plan, as we are looking through it seems pretty reasonable. >> what do you love, the idea behind it, when you say that? >> i think we all of the idea of peace. the problem is, it is hard not to be a cynic about the situation, because as john said in that report, every president, for decades, has attempted this. every president has failed. really, it comes on to a very simple fact, in my mind. if the palestinians had unified government, renounced violence, and recognize the right of israel to exist, we would have

peace, until those things happen, we are not going to have peace. >> jeannie? >> i think the real question is just what john alluded to, what more is going to be offered to the palestinians. let's look at how this was rolled out, this was done without input from the palestinians. they walked away from us because the issue of the embassy, largely. they have been really absent from it. now it is being put out there with netanyahu and benny gantz at his side but no palestinians. but the question is going to be is this more than just a nonstarter. without palestinians, you don't get to peace. there are several elements -- >> even with palestinians we have got no peace. >> but you can't get there without them. >> will re-presuming there's no back end on this? is this the front end of something but, i don't know, i'm optimistic, does this open the door then, for palestinian leaders to come forward and say what they do want. we know this about this president, he makes a bold move, and then critics in the room, critics all over the world, some

liking the situation, some hating the situation, everyone comes out and they throw everything at him, but we don't know yet what the other end is. >> he shakes it up, but he gets a conversation going, proposing things that other people wouldn't propose. katie? >> on that point, i was in a background briefing last summer on this plan, there was another plan last year that came out on the economics of this. jared kushner had approaches in the sense of trying this think outside of the box, acknowledging, secretary of state mike pompeo, and treasury secretary on the side there, waiting for the president and netanyahu them to come in. they have tried to approach this knowing that it has a chance of failing. and they understand it is very difficult, but i would argue that presidents in the past were leaders, and europe and leaders for decades, have failed for this because palestinians have r promises, israelis has always given up information on land,

signed treaties, palestinians have responded with violence. today, the very telling thing is, the palestinian leader is meeting with the head of a law the mike islamic jihad to, with a statement against this plan. when your government is made up of terrorist groups, it is very hard to meet these benchmarks with their basic when it comes to what they're asking for. they are asking for a lack of violence and economic activity. >> not to miss the point for my you're just saying, those groups coming together, you mentioned terrorism, post, the news that was breaking on iran, not even ten days ago, we know that some of these groups are going to come together anyway. there were some pretty strong reporting that they were having conversations, the key point, in the center is, that they hate us, so to see us come out with a plan like this, i wonder, too if that does not force those groups to do something that they really have not done, guys, they don't work in concert. >> that is also part of the problem, as katie alluded to. so i think, i don't want to minimize the hard work that jared kushner has put into this

plan, as we comb through the various elements of it, i think it is a very good starting point, i think to dismiss it out of hand, the palestinians, i think have a very weak bargaining position at this particular moment in time. i think it would be a mistake, i also think it is a mistake to have terrorist organizations running a large segment of your government in the gaza strip, there are just huge implacable obstacles to peace. >> which is why we probably have not seen it yet. i want to just do a quick scene setting, katie told us a few people in the room, you see secretary of state mike pompeo, also some of the president's legal team, we saw alan dershowitz there, the president of the united states, donald j. trump has just been introduced. they are introducing, obviously his presence here, we can hear, listen to that, "hail to the chief" is playing. that is benjamin netanyahu who is with him. the head of israel.

and now, therefore the laying out of the middle east peace plan, they have been holding events since yesterday, now, this is a very significant moment, we've been talking about how the piece has not happened in that part of the world, now for the president to be part of that and possibly leading it is a big moment, let's watch western trauma. [applause] >> president trump: thank you very much, thank you. today, israel takes a big step towards peace. [applause]

>> president trump: young people across the middle east are ready for a more hopeful future, and governments throughout the region are realizing that terrorism and islamic extremism are everyone's common enemy. yesterday, i had the pleasure of meeting with both the prime minister of israel and a man that is working very hard to become the prime minister of israel, the longest running election of time. benny gantz of the blue and white party, both leaders joined me to express their support for this effort, proving that the state of israel, looking for peace, and that peace transcends politics by any measure, unmeasurable, that is what they want. [applause] >> president trump: on my first trip overseas as president, i visited the holy land of israel. i was deeply moved and amazed by

what this small country had achieved in the face of overwhelming odds and never-ending threats. the state of israel comprises only a middle school he amount of land in the middle east, yet it has become a thriving center of democracy, innovation, culture, and commerce. israel is a light unto the wor world. the hearts and history of our people are woven together, the land of israel is an ancient home, a sacred place of worship, and a solemn promise to the jewish people that we will never again repeat history's darkest hour. [applause] >> president trump: during my trip to israel, i also met with palestinian president abbas in bethlehem. i was saddened by the fate of

the palestinian people. they deserve a far better life, they deserve a chance to achieve their extraordinary potential. palestinians have been trapped in a cycle of terrorism, poverty, and violence, exploited by those seeking to use them as pawns to advance terrorism and extremism. our return from my visit determined to find a constructive path, and it has got to be a very powerful path forward in the israeli-palestinian conflict. to further this effort, i also met with president abbas at the white house, forging peace between israelis and palestinians may be the most difficult challenge of all. all prior administrations from president lyndon johnson have tried and bitterly failed, but i was not elected to do small things that were shy away big problems.

[applause] >> president trump: it has been a long and very arduous process to arrive at this moment. on sunday i delivered to prime minister netanyahu, my vision for peace, prosperity, and a brighter future for israelis and palestinians. this vision for peace is fundamentally different from past proposals. in the past, even the most well-intentioned plans were alike on factual details and heavy on conceptual frameworks. by contrast, our plan is 80 pages and it is the most detailed proposal ever put forward by far. as i have seen throughout my long career as a dealmaker, complex problems require

nuanced, fact-based remedies. that is why our proposal provides precise, technical solutions to make israelis, palestinians, and the region safer and much more prosperous. my vision presents a win-win opportunity for both sides, a realistic two state solution that resolves the risk of palestinian statehood to israel's security. today, israel has taken a giant step toward peace. yesterday, prime minister netanyahu informed me that he is willing to endorse the vision as the basis for direct negotiations, and i will say the general also endorsed, and very strongly, with the palestinians, a historic breakthrough. likewise, we have really a situation having to do with a race that is taking place right

now, it will end and we have the support, and it is really important to say this, of both parties and almost all people in israel. they want peace and they want peace badly. [applause] >> president trump: this is the first time israel has authorized the release of a conceptual map illustrating the territorial compromises it is willing to make for the cause of peace, and they have gone a long way. this is an unprecedented and highly significant development. mr. prime minister, thank you for having the courage to take this bold step forward. [applause]

>> president trump: we have a lot of powerful people in this room, a lot of people that can help make it work, that is quite a thunderous applause, thank you very much. we will form a joint committee with israel to convert the conceptual map into a more detailed and calibrated rendering so that recognition can be immediately achieved. [applause]

>> president trump: we will also work to create a contiguous territory within the future palestinian state, for when the conditions for statehood are met, including the firm rejection of terrorism. [applause] >> president trump: under this vision, jerusalem will remain israel's undivided, very important, undivided capital. [cheers and applause]

>> president trump: but that is no big deal, because i have already done that for you, right? we have already done that, but that is okay, it is going to mean that way. in the united states will recognize israeli sovereignty over the territory that my vision provides to be part of the state of israel, very important. [applause] >> president trump: and crucial he, the proposed transition to a two state solution will present no incremental security risk to the state of israel, whatsoever. [applause] >> president trump: we will not allow a return to the days of bloodshed, bus bombings, nightclub attacks, and relentless terror, won't be allowed. peace requires compromise, but we will never ask israel to compromise its security, can't do that. [applause]

>> president trump: as everyone knows, i have done a lot for israel. moving the united states embassy to jerusalem. [applause] >> president trump: recognizing the golan heights. [applause] >> president trump: and frankly, perhaps most importantly, getting out of the terrible iran nuclear deal. [cheers and applause] >> president trump: there is a lot of spirit in this room. you don't see it often. you don't see it often. therefore, it is only reasonable that i have to do a lot for the

palestinians, or it just would not be fair. now, don't clap for that, okay, but it is true. it would not be fair. i want this deal to be a great deal for the palestinians, it has to be. today's agreement is a historic opportunity for the palestinians to finally achieve an independent state of their very own, after 70 years of little progress, this could be the last opportunity they will ever have, unless, for a lot of reasons, they will never have a team like we have now. we have a team of people that love the united states, and they love israel, and they are very smart, and very, very committed, from you or bassett investor, david friedman. >> president trump: to jason, and off he, and jared

and they were all great dealmakers, and they also understand the other side, and they want the other side to do well, because that is the sign of a great deal, and they understand that. i just appreciate all the hard work you have put in, so many of your other friends, of course our great secretary of state, mike pompeo. [applause] >> president trump: wow, that's impressive. that was very impressive. that reporter couldn't have done to get a job on you yesterday. i think you did a good job on her, actually. that is good, thank you mike. great. are you running for senate? i guess the answer is no after that.

they'll want him to. kansas, great state, they want him to. you're doing a great job, don't move. the palestinian people have grown distrustful after years of unfulfilled promises, so true. yet i know they are ready to escape their tragic past and realize a great destiny, but we must break free of yesterday's failed approaches. this map will more than double the palestinian territory and provide a palestinian capital in east jerusalem where america will probably open and embassy. [applause] >> president trump: no palestinians or israelis will be uprooted from their homes. [applause] >> president trump: israel will work closely with a wonderful person, a wonderful man, the king of jordan, to ensure the status quo of the temple map is preserved and strong measures are taken to

ensure that all muslims who wish to visit peacefully and pray at the al-aqsa mosque are able to do so. this is a major statement, this is of major importance. at the same time, our vision will create massive commercial investment of $50 million into the new palestinian state, many, many countries want to partake in this. many of them are surrounding, they all want this to happen. virtually everyone of them want this to happen, i think, benjamin, you know that well, you're going to have tremendous support from your neighbors and beyond your neighbors. over the next ten years if executed well, 1 million great new palestinian jobs will be created. their poverty rate will be cut in half, and their poverty rate is unacceptable now. only getting worse. their gdp will double and triple, and much needed hope, joy, opportunity, and prosperity will finally arrive for the

palestinian people. our vision will end the cycle of palestinian dependency upon charity and foreign aid. they will be doing phenomenally all by themselves. they are a very, very capable people. [applause] >> president trump: and we will help by empowering the palestinians to thrive on their own. palestinians will be able to seize the new future with dignity, self-sufficiency, and national pride. to ensure a successful palestinian state, we are asking the palestinians to meet the challenges of peaceful coexistence. [applause] >> president trump: this includes adopting basic laws enshrining human rights, protecting against financial and political corruption, stopping

the malign activities of islamic jihad and other enemies of peace. ending the incitement of hatred against israel, so important, and permanently halting the financial compensation to terrorists. [applause] >> president trump: and perhaps, most importantly, my vision gives the palestinians the time needed to rise up and meet the challenges of statehood. i sent a letter, today, to president abbas, i explained it to him that the territory allocated for his new state will remain open and undeveloped for a period of four years. during this time, palestinians

can use all appropriate deliberation to study the deal, negotiate with israel, achieve the criteria for statehood, and to become a truly independent and wonderful state. president abbas, i want you to know that if you choose the path to peace, america and many other countries, we will be there, we will be there to help you in so many different ways, and we will be there every step of the way, we will be there to help. [applause] >> president trump: in other words, for the first time in many, many decades, i can say, it will work. it's going to work. if we do this, it will work. your response to this historic opportunity will show the world, to what extent you are ready to lead the palestinian people to statehood. the middle east is changing

rapidly. on my first trip abroad as president, i traveled to saudi arabia to discuss our shared priorities with the 54 leaders of the muslim and arab countries, i made clear that all civilized nations share the same goals, stamping out extremism, creating opportunity for the region, and we have to take care of the region. the region's youth is growing up with no hope. we have to take care of the regions youth. an existing in harmony with one's neighbors. since that time, immense progress has been made, a growing number of nations have taken strong stands against terrorism and radicalization. you see it, thanks to the courage of u.s. forces, the isis territorial caliphate 100%.

not 95%, not 99%. 100% is destroyed, and it's a savage leader al baghdadi now dead. [applause] >> president trump: i want to think, we have some more great senators and congressmen and congresswomen here. i want to thank you very much. our leader, thank you. mark, thank you, great people, these are great people, they work so hard, and they love this country. the iranian regime is isolated and weakened greatly. we eliminated qasem soleimani, the world's top terrorists. [applause]

>> president trump: as you know, he was with the head of hezbollah, i don't think they were up to anything good. i don't think so. he ran an organization called jerusalem liberation forces and used his hatred, total, severe hatred of israel as a rallying cry to deibert attention from the incompetence and shortcomings of his government he falsely promoted the sinister notion that a free jerusalem, we must really be at war with israel. so to have it free, we have to be at war with israel. he said it very, very powerfully. in fact, it has been in this false war that israel, really, the