UN Security Council Endorses Trump's Gaza Proposal

A Security Council has approved measures advanced by the US president for securing a long-term stability in the Gaza Strip, featuring the stationing of an global peacekeeping force and a possible path to a independent Palestine.

Broad Backing with Key Absent Votes

The resolution was approved by a vote of thirteen supporting, with both China and Russia choosing not to vote. America's representative the US ambassador addressed the UN assembly that it charted “a different path in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians and all the residents of the region alike”.

Negotiated Wording on Palestinian Statehood

Addition of mentions to an self-governing Palestine was the trade-off the US offered for support from the Muslim nations, who are expected to provide stabilisation troops for the multinational unit.

“Provisional steps that we begin today must be carried out in accordance with legal norms and honoring Palestinian self-determination,” Britain's representative declared.

Netanyahu's Objection Continues

However, on the verge of the council decision, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu restated his administration's firm resistance to the creation of a sovereign Palestine, casting doubt on whether Israel will allow the implementation of the internationally endorsed measures.

Main Elements of the Proposal

• Immediate lifting of remaining curbs on humanitarian aid into the territory
• Formation of an international stabilisation force
• Moves towards reconstruction and a possible “route to Palestinian sovereignty and statehood”

Vague Phrasing and Conditions

The reference to Palestinian statehood was a compromise addition to an original American proposal which excluded it. Yet the phrasing is ambiguous and dependent, declaring only that once the Palestinian Authority has implemented reforms and the rebuilding of the strip is advancing, “the circumstances may eventually be in readiness for a credible pathway to Palestinian independence and statehood.”

International Reaction

The phrasing did not meet of the definite pledge to the creation of a Palestinian state beside Israel desired by Muslim nations, as well as European delegates, but in speeches to the council after the decision, representatives from those nations said they were ready to support the settlement in the interests of prolonging the ongoing cessation of hostilities and prompt actions to assist and secure the 2.2 million Palestinian residents in Gaza.

“Our delegation has finally decided to support of this text, a text that we support its primary aim, namely the continuation of the cessation of hostilities and the establishment of conditions permitting the Palestinians to exercise their fundamental rights to self-determination and sovereignty,” the Algerian envoy stated.

Execution Hurdles

The resolution grants comprehensive monitoring control to a “board of peace” chaired by the US president, but of uncertain membership. The group has to inform the UN but it is not bound by the desires of the global organization or by the Palestinian leadership.

Additionally, it requires the creation of a Palestinian technocratic committee that is supposed to run routine management of the Gaza Strip and the distribution of aid, but it is far from clear who would participate.

Stabilisation Team Mission

The mandate of the international stabilisation force authorizes it to disarm and dismantle militant organizations in the territory, but it is highly uncertain that possible sending countries would consent to face such factions. Not a single nation has so far pledged to contributing forces.

Furthermore the criteria for reform of the Palestinian Authority, the precondition towards steps to Palestinian statehood, have been hazy.

EU representatives said they deemed it necessary that the identities of the Palestinian technocratic committee to deliver services was settled as without delay.