<span class="cie-plus-title">Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — Containing Iran’s Access to Nuclear Weapons, 2015</span><span class="cie-plus-badge">CIE+</span>

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — Containing Iran’s Access to Nuclear Weapons, 2015CIE+

Under the deal between Iran and five world powers, Iran agreed to dismantle much of its nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars of sanctions relief. Israel called the deal too lenient. On May 8, 2018, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA, calling it one of the “worst and most one-sided” agreements in U.S. history. Israel’s objectives in attacking Iran in June 2025 focused on the same central features Israel argued a decade earlier were not sufficiently addressed in the JCPOA.

<span class="cie-plus-title">Senator Kamala Harris Addresses 2017 AIPAC Conference</span><span class="cie-plus-badge">CIE+</span>

Senator Kamala Harris Addresses 2017 AIPAC ConferenceCIE+

Two months into her Senate position, Harris promised “to do everything in my power to ensure broad and bipartisan support for Israel’s security and right to self-defense.” She endorsed the 10 year, $38 billion US military aid package to Israel while strongly backing (seven years before October 2023) a two-state Palestinian-Israeli solution.”

Documents and Sources|March 28, 2017
<span class="cie-plus-title">President Trump’s Speech Recognizing Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel, 2017</span><span class="cie-plus-badge">CIE+</span>

President Trump’s Speech Recognizing Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel, 2017CIE+

President Trump’s proclamation to “officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel” breaks precedent. In doing so, he incurs bipartisan support in the US congress, but a flurry of criticism from analysts, diplomats and foreign leaders. In his remarks, Trump rebukes claims that he disqualified the US as a “reliable mediator” in future Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

Documents and Sources|December 6, 2017
<span class="cie-plus-title">Vice President Pence’s Speech to the Knesset, 2018</span><span class="cie-plus-badge">CIE+</span>

Vice President Pence’s Speech to the Knesset, 2018CIE+

Vice President Pence firmly expresses American commitments to Israel’s security and commitment to the Arab-Israeli peace process. Palestinian Authority President Abbas and other Arab officials loudly criticize the speech and refuse to meet with Pence during his Middle East visit because of earlier US promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Documents and Sources|January 22, 2018
<span class="cie-plus-title">2020 Trump Peace Plan for Israel and the Palestinians</span><span class="cie-plus-badge">CIE+</span>

2020 Trump Peace Plan for Israel and the PalestiniansCIE+

The plan builds on previous proposals for a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and contains a US-Israeli agreement that sets forth final borders for two states. The plan contains multiple prerequisites for Palestinian behavior before either the US or Israel might agree to Palestinian statehood as well as a proposed $50 economic development package to be allotted over a decade.

Documents and Sources|January 28, 2020