UN Security Council Approves Trump's Gaza Strip Proposal

A Security Council has approved proposals put forward by the US president for securing a lasting peace in the Gaza Strip, featuring the deployment of an multinational security unit and a eventual path to a independent Palestine.

Broad Approval with Key Abstentions

The proposal was adopted by a count of thirteen supporting, with China and Russia declining to cast votes. The US envoy the American delegate told the council chamber that it set “a new course in the area for Israelis and Palestinians and all the inhabitants of the region alike”.

Balanced Language on Palestinian Statehood

Incorporation of mentions to an self-governing Palestine was the concession the United States paid for backing from the Arab and Islamic world, who are anticipated to contribute peacekeepers for the global force.

“Interim measures that we begin today must be carried out in accordance with legal norms and respecting Palestinian rights,” Britain's representative declared.

Israeli Resistance Persists

Nonetheless, on the eve of the council decision, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu restated his cabinet's strong objection to the creation of a independent Palestinian entity, creating uncertainty on whether the Israeli government will allow the implementation of the Council-backed plan.

Central Components of the Measure

• Immediate lifting of ongoing restrictions on assistance into Gaza
• Creation of an multinational peacekeeping unit
• Progress on rebuilding and a possible “avenue to Palestinian independence and nationhood”

Vague Wording and Conditions

The mention to sovereignty was a compromise addition to an original American proposal which omitted it. But the wording is ambiguous and conditional, promising only that once the Palestinian leadership has reformed itself and the restoration of the territory is progressing, “the conditions may eventually be in place for a realistic route to Palestinian independence and nationhood.”

Global Reaction

The language was insufficient of the firm commitment to the creation of a Palestinian state next to Israel sought by Arab and Islamic states, as well as European council members, but in addresses to the chamber after the vote, envoys from those countries said they were willing to endorse the compromise in the benefit of extending the current truce and swift steps to provide for and safeguard the millions of Palestinians in the territory.

“Algeria has finally decided to vote in favour of this document, a measure that we support its main goal, namely the preservation of the cessation of hostilities and the establishment of circumstances allowing the Palestinians to claim their immeasurable rights to self-determination and sovereignty,” Algeria's representative declared.

Practical Difficulties

The proposal provides general supervisory power to a “stabilisation committee” chaired by Donald Trump, but of uncertain membership. This committee has to report to the United Nations but it is not required to follow the wishes of the UN or by the Palestinian Authority.

It also calls for the creation of a Palestinian technocratic committee that is supposed to run routine management of the territory and the provision of utilities, but it is far from clear who would take part.

Security Force Authority

The mission of the international stabilisation force gives it authority to remove and dissolve armed groups in Gaza, but it is quite ambiguous that possible sending countries would agree to attempt to engage such factions. None of the states has yet agreed to dispatching troops.

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

European diplomats said they considered it urgent that the names of the Palestinian technocratic committee to provide utilities was settled as quickly as possible.