Thousands of Palestinians in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip have been protesting the two-day economic development conference in Bahrain since June 24, the Jerusalem Post reports.
The Bahrain conference is featuring delegations from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf Arab states to discuss on how to foster economic development in the Palestinian territories. The U.S. proposal urges $50 billion in investment to go toward the Palestinian territories, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt.
According to the Post, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) injured 12 Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip, where incendiary balloons were launched toward southern Israel, igniting several fires. Palestinians protesting in Judea and Samaria, held up signs that read, “Palestine is ours and can’t be bought or sold” and “No to the occupation.”
Some Palestinian protesters near the Beit El settlement outside of Ramallah threw rocks and burning tires at IDF soldiers, prompting the soldiers to fire tear gas at them.
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have made it clear that they are not interested in any proposed deals that come out of the conference.
White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, who is also Trump’s son-in-law, said at the summit that the $50 billion in investment could result in “a bustling commercial and tourist center in Gaza and the West Bank, where international businesses come together and thrive.” However, he acknowledged that such an economic solution goes hand-in-hand with a political solution that satisfies both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
“My direct message to the Palestinian people is that despite what those who have let you down in the past say, President Trump and America have not given up on you,” Kushner said.
