The Political Scene | The New Yorker — Episode Summary

Episode Title: The Trump-Netanyahu “Deal of the Century”
Date: January 30, 2020
Host: Dorothy Wickenden
Guest: Robin Wright (Contributing Writer, The New Yorker)

Overview

This episode centers on the Trump administration’s unveiling of its Middle East peace plan, dubbed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the "Deal of the Century." Host Dorothy Wickenden and guest Robin Wright critically dissect the plan’s contents, motives, and implications for Israeli and Palestinian futures and democracy in both the US and Israel. The discussion also touches upon shifting alliances in the Arab world and the political circumstances surrounding both Trump and Netanyahu.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Summary of the Trump Peace Plan

• Plan Details:
  Wright summarizes the comprehensive “Deal of the Century” (02:38–05:51), outlining that while it technically calls for a two-state solution, it heavily favors Israeli interests and offers the Palestinians a “proto state” with many limitations.

  • Israel gains right to annex settlements and maintain control over about 30% of the West Bank, particularly the Jordan Valley
  • Jerusalem is recognized as the undivided capital of Israel, while Palestinians are offered a capital area "carved out of suburbs" in East Jerusalem
  • An underground tunnel would connect the physically separated Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank
  • Palestinians would gain access to a new airport/port on an artificial island off Gaza, but Israel retains ultimate security control
  • Sensitive religious sites (Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif) would be under Israeli security with Jordanian guardianship
  • A $30 billion economic plan promises investments for Palestinians, though funding details are vague
  • The plan spans over four years, requiring Palestinians to demilitarize and fulfill various demands before negotiations begin

  Quote:

  "[The plan] is very lopsided, there's no question about that. It does give the Palestinians a state...But there are many shortcomings from the Palestinian perspective. Israel gets much of what it wants in terms of land."
  — Robin Wright (03:01)

2. Historical Context & Palestinian Leadership

• Wickenden brings up Bret Stephens's argument that previous Arab and Palestinian leaders have rejected better offers. Wright acknowledges repeated miscalculations by Palestinian and Arab leaders, leading to lost opportunities (05:51–08:13).

  • References include the 1947 UN Partition Plan, the post-1967 war context, and Arafat’s rejection of the 2000 Clinton peace proposal.
  • Arab political realities and the lack of a unified front have complicated peace efforts.

  Quote:

  "There's no question that the Palestinian leadership in its many different factions have missed many opportunities to make peace with Israel...The Arab world in general has miscalculated over and over at a cost to the Palestinian people."
  — Robin Wright (06:40)

3. Arab World, Geopolitics & Kushner’s Approach

• The plan was developed without Palestinian participation and the US administration made its pro-Israel stance immediately clear (08:44–11:17). Some Arab countries sent ambassadors to the White House unveiling, Saudi Arabia issued public support, but heavy-hitters like Egypt and Jordan were absent.

  • The broader Arab League’s ambiguous support is pending a formal meeting.
  • The region desires peace, but specifics of the plan may reduce support, especially among the region's frustrated young populations.

  Quote:

  "We'll see if the Arab world supports this plan...The idea of peace is one that I think the whole region embraces. Finally, whether they embrace these specific terms is yet to be determined."
  — Robin Wright (10:06)

4. Domestic Politics: Timing, Elections, and Indictments

• Both leaders are under political clouds: Trump during his impeachment trial and Netanyahu, the first Israeli prime minister indicted on criminal charges, during another round of elections (11:17–12:44).

  • The timing of the peace plan announcement appears influenced by electoral considerations in both countries.
  • Wright doubts the peace plan will meaningfully shift election outcomes.

  Quote:

  "The United States President Trump has been very close to Prime Minister Netanyahu clearly has helped him in multiple ways...Will it help either man in terms of reelection? ...I'm not sure that the peace plan is going to have any impact on whether President Trump is reelected."
  — Robin Wright (11:45)

5. US Domestic Reaction – Democratic Criticism

• Democratic senators formally objected to the timing of the plan, suggesting it interfered with Israeli elections and was tied to Netanyahu’s legal troubles (12:44–14:54).

  • The plan is criticized for its lack of energy, immediacy, and feasibility; it demands the Palestinians demilitarize and make huge concessions up front.
  • There are no international guarantees, enforcement mechanisms, or clear provisions for border incidents.

  Quote:

  "There doesn't seem to be any energy behind the peace plan. There's no formal format for this all to play out. This is basically saying the Palestinians like it or lump it."
  — Robin Wright (13:35)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Netanyahu’s Praise:

  "You have been the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House."
  — Benjamin Netanyahu, quoted by Dorothy Wickenden (01:56)

• The “Slap of the Century”:

  "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calls it the slap of the century and he's refused to even consider it."
  — Dorothy Wickenden (02:38)

• On Arab Politics:

  "Who would have thought even 10 years ago that Israel and Saudi Arabia might have common cause on Iran, notably."
  — Robin Wright (07:41)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:15] – Introduction to episode, context for plan's unveiling
• [02:38] – Breakdown of the Trump plan's main provisions (Robin Wright)
• [05:51] – Discussion of Palestinian leadership’s historic decisions and missed peace opportunities
• [08:44] – Arab world’s response, regional implications
• [11:17] – Political context in US and Israel; intersection with elections and indictments
• [12:44] – Domestic (US) reaction to the plan's timing and Democratic criticisms
• [14:54] – Closing remarks and summary

Tone and Impressions

The conversation is analytical and sober, balancing historical context with a clear-eyed view of present realities. Robin Wright’s expertise is evident in her measured detailing of both sides’ failings and the complexities on the ground. The tone is critical of the plan’s viability and skeptical about its impact beyond serving political optics for Trump and Netanyahu.

Contributors:

• Dorothy Wickenden — Executive Editor, The New Yorker; host
• Robin Wright — Contributing Writer, The New Yorker; Middle East expert

Summary compiled for listeners seeking a comprehensive understanding of the episode’s nuanced take on the Trump administration's Middle East peace initiative and its political, historical, and regional ramifications.