Marshall Plan for Middle East Peace
By Alan Rosenbaum
The Jerusalem Post
June 5, 2023
"Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, has called for a “’Marshall Plan’ for the Middle East”, expressing hope that a global economic development plan directed at young Palestinians, young Egyptians and young Jordanians – that provides international investments for new businesses where few exist today – could ultimately lead to a peaceful solution in the region.
"'Since the Abraham Accords were signed, I am hearing a real desire for normalized relations with Israel from countries that you never would have expected,' the Jewish leader and philanthropist said…'some of these Arab states told me that they need to see positive movement in the conflict: Positive movement from Israel, but also from the Palestinians. That’s a huge change and, I believe, that’s one of the reasons that Arab countries are now reaching out to Israel.'
"Lauder noted that almost half of West Bank Palestinians are less than thirty years old, saying that, 'They see no positive future for themselves, unlike young people in other lands – no chance for good jobs. No chance for a future – and in too many cases, with nothing else to look forward to, they turn to violence and terror out of frustration.'
"He said that just as the Marshall Plan, named after its architect, US Secretary of State George Marshall, helped restore the economic infrastructure of postwar Europe, a Middle East plan could help Palestinians create normal lives, raise families and grow wealth. 'If we gave them a chance to be part of this new world, I believe fewer would resort to terror in a no-win war against Israel.'
"Lauder estimated that the cost of such a project would be approximately $12 billion, which would need to be paid for by the United States, the EU, the Gulf States – including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar – and even, perhaps, Israel. He said that strong safeguards would need to be put in place to ensure that the money would reach the proper channels.
"A US-backed economic plan for young Palestinians, said Lauder, would require the leadership of US President Joe Biden. 'The Arab leaders I spoke to told me that without US involvement and support, it won’t happen. If President Biden agrees and there is the commitment of the United States, everyone else will follow, and this would bring the US back into the Middle East as a positive force once again.'"
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