From Foreign Policy · Dennis Ross · · 1m 30s
Trump Pushes Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Trump administration aims to break Israeli-Palestinian deadlock through practical steps and Arab involvement.
In brief
Trump administration aims to break Israeli-Palestinian deadlock through practical steps and Arab involvement. Trump's administration can advance Israeli-Palestinian peace by promoting cooperation, transforming ground realities, and increasing Arab states' roles. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Current Israeli-Palestinian Stalemate
Three years after Oct 7 2023, diplomatic progress appears worse than ever with both sides convinced of mutual insecurity.
“Israelis look at the way Hamas celebrated killing innocents and brutalizing hostages and conclude they could never be safe alongside an independent Palestinian state”
Existing Cooperation in Gaza
Sewage management in Gaza requires Israeli-Palestinian collaboration despite ongoing tensions.
“Sewage from Gaza flows directly to the Israeli coastline and has necessitated closing Israel’s nearby desalination plant at Ashkelon”
Trump Administration's Role
Trump administration should promote and fund NGOs that foster Israeli-Palestinian cooperation on practical issues.
“The Trump administration, whether through Jared Kushner’s team or through the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, or through the U.S. embassy, should promote, participate in, and publicize such meetings”
Trump 20-Point Peace Plan
Trump’s 20-point plan produced a cease-fire and hostage releases but Gaza remains in wretched conditions.
“The basic formula built into the Trump plan was the demilitarization of Gaza in return for reconstruction and Israeli withdrawal”
NCAG and ISF Status
National Committee for Gaza Administration remains in Cairo, not Gaza, delaying governance transition.
“The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, the 15-member body of Palestinian technocrats designed to govern Gaza on a transitional basis, remains in Cairo”
Hamas Road Map Agreement
Hamas agreed to decommission weapons but Netanyahu rejected the 15-point road map until after Israeli elections.
“After long months of talks and prodding, Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative, working with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, reached agreement with Hamas on a 15-point road map”
Israeli Election Impact
Netanyahu’s political base opposes the 15-point road map, delaying implementation until after Israeli elections.
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he did not accept the road map, leading to the plan’s being put on hold until after the Israeli election”
Arab States' Role
Key Arab states must reform Palestinian Authority and support hard decisions for peace.
“Key Arab states, what used to be called the Arab Quint, of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, need to play two roles”
Arab Economic Leverage
Saudi Arabia could allow direct commercial ties with Israel in exchange for Palestinian concessions.
“The Saudis, for example, could allow direct commercial ties with Israeli companies in return for Israel stopping de facto annexation”
Accountability for Extremists
Trump must hold Israel accountable for extremist attacks in the West Bank.
“Finally, the Trump administration needs to hold Israel accountable. That starts with insistence that this Israeli government act demonstrably and systematically to stop the extremist attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank”
Path Forward
Practical steps and Arab involvement can end current Israeli-Palestinian paralysis.
“The Trump administration must push all parties for the practical steps that will end the current paralysis”
The takeaway
Trump's administration can advance Israeli-Palestinian peace by promoting cooperation, transforming ground realities, and increasing Arab states' roles.
