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US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan

US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan
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US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan

US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan

The US State Department Regional Spokesperson, Erica Chiusano, said that Washington was ready to support direct dialogue between Palestinian and Arab leaderships - who opposed the US peace plan, known as the “deal of the century” - and Israeli officials.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Chiusano noted that the proposed US vision of peace offered a realistic solution based on the establishment of two states and provided a verifiable path that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, in which the legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine to independence, autonomy, and national dignity would be achieved through a peace agreement with Israel.

“We ask the Palestinian leadership to get to know the details of this vision of peace, and to study it fully,” she stated.

She noted that if Palestinians had fears about parts of the plan, the US would encourage them to contribute to direct negotiations with the Israelis and express their specific objections at the negotiating table.

Chuisano stressed that the absolute rejection of the plan would only perpetuate the desperate status quo and would not help shape the optimal solution that the world would offer to the generations of Israelis and Palestinians, who have been suffering for decades because of this ongoing conflict.

The US spokesperson went on to say that her country has provided “the best and most realistic solution” for the parties, adding that it was now up to the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to discuss and negotiate the basis of that vision.

“The United States is ready to provide broad assistance to facilitate a final peace agreement,” she emphasized.

On Iran, Chuisano highlighted the continued US policy of maximum pressure campaign, based on economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and military deterrence.

The United States has withheld the funds of the Iranian regime used to finance terrorism, and it targets sources of export revenue that Tehran may use to finance and support its nuclear program, to develop missiles, and to fund its terrorist proxies, as well as its malicious regional influence, she affirmed.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.