United Nations Security Council Backs Donald Trump's Gaza Strip Peace Plan

A global body has voted to endorse measures presented by President Trump for establishing a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, encompassing the deployment of an multinational security unit and a possible route to a Palestinian statehood.

Broad Approval with Key Abstentions

This measure was approved by a count of thirteen supporting, with China and Russia declining to cast votes. Washington's diplomat the American delegate told the council chamber that it set “a new course in the Middle East for both sides and all the residents of the region alike”.

Balanced Wording on Independence

Incorporation of references to an self-governing Palestine was the trade-off the America paid for backing from the Arab and Islamic world, who are likely to provide security forces for the international stabilisation force (ISF).

“Provisional steps that we begin today must be carried out in following global standards and upholding Palestinian rights,” Britain's representative declared.

Netanyahu's Resistance Continues

However, on the brink of the UN vote, Israeli prime minister Netanyahu reaffirmed his administration's firm resistance to the establishment of a sovereign Palestine, raising questions on whether Israel will allow the implementation of the internationally endorsed measures.

Central Components of the Proposal

• Swift elimination of remaining curbs on assistance into the strip
• Formation of an multinational peacekeeping unit
• Progress on reconstruction and a potential “pathway to Palestinian self-determination and nationhood”

Ambiguous Wording and Requirements

The inclusion to Palestinian statehood was a negotiated inclusion to an first US version which did not mention it. But the language is ambiguous and conditional, declaring only that once the PA has implemented reforms and the reconstruction of the territory is advancing, “the circumstances may ultimately be in readiness for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and nationhood.”

Worldwide Response

The language did not meet of the strong guarantee to the building of a independent Palestinian entity alongside Israel desired by Arab countries, as well as European delegates, but in addresses to the chamber after the decision, representatives from those nations said they were ready to support the agreement in the service of continuing the current truce and swift steps to assist and secure the millions of Palestinians in Gaza.

“Our delegation has ultimately decided to support of this text, a text that we support its main goal, namely the preservation of the cessation of hostilities and the establishment of circumstances enabling the Palestinians to exercise their fundamental rights to self-determination and nationhood,” Amar Bendjama stated.

Practical Difficulties

This measure provides comprehensive monitoring control to a “board of peace” chaired by the US president, but of undefined composition. The group has to inform the UN but it is not bound by the wishes of the global organization or by the PA.

Furthermore, it demands the creation of a specialized Palestinian group that is tasked with overseeing daily administration of the Gaza and the provision of utilities, but it is quite ambiguous who would be involved.

Stabilisation Team Authority

The mandate of the global force authorizes it to remove and dissolve militant organizations in the strip, but it is quite ambiguous that would-be troop contributors would be willing to engage such groups. No country has yet agreed to dispatching troops.

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

EU representatives said they considered it urgent that the identities of the specialized group to deliver services was settled as without delay.