United Nations Security Council Approves Donald Trump's Gaza Proposal

The global body has voted to endorse measures presented by the US president for establishing a lasting peace in the Gaza Strip, featuring the stationing of an international stabilisation force and a eventual route to a Palestinian statehood.

Widespread Backing with Key Abstentions

The proposal was passed by a count of thirteen in favor, with Russia and China abstaining. Washington's diplomat the US ambassador informed the international body that it mapped “a fresh direction in the area for Israelis and Palestinians and all the inhabitants of the area alike”.

Balanced Language on Independence

Addition of mentions to an sovereign Palestinian state was the trade-off the United States agreed to for support from the Muslim nations, who are expected to provide security forces for the international stabilisation force (ISF).

“The transitional arrangements that we embark on today must be executed in accordance with global standards and respecting Palestinian rights,” Britain's representative affirmed.

Netanyahu's Objection Continues

Nevertheless, on the eve of the council decision, leader the Israeli leader restated his cabinet's strong objection to the formation of a Palestinian state, creating uncertainty on whether Tel Aviv will allow the implementation of the internationally endorsed measures.

Central Components of the Measure

• Swift elimination of existing limitations on relief supplies into Gaza
• Creation of an multinational peacekeeping unit
• Progress on reconstruction and a potential “avenue to Palestinian independence and statehood”

Ambiguous Language and Requirements

The mention to sovereignty was a compromise addition to an initial US draft which excluded it. But the language is vague and conditional, promising only that once the Palestinian Authority has undergone changes and the reconstruction of the strip is under way, “the conditions may eventually be in place for a realistic route to Palestinian independence and statehood.”

International Response

The phrasing was insufficient of the definite pledge to the establishment of a independent Palestinian entity beside Israel requested by Arab countries, as well as European delegates, but in speeches to the council after the decision, representatives from those countries said they were willing to endorse the settlement in the service of extending the current truce and immediate measures to assist and secure the 2.2 million Palestinians in the strip.

“We has ultimately decided to endorse of this document, a text that we support its primary aim, namely the maintenance of the truce and the formation of conditions permitting the Palestinian people to exercise their fundamental rights to sovereignty and nationhood,” Algeria's representative stated.

Practical Difficulties

This measure provides overall oversight authority to a “board of peace” headed by Trump, but of undefined composition. The group has to inform the UN but it is not bound by the wishes of the UN or by the Palestinian leadership.

Furthermore, it demands the creation of a specialized Palestinian group that is tasked with overseeing routine management of the Gaza Strip and the delivery of services, but it is quite ambiguous who would be involved.

Security Force Mandate

The mission of the global force empowers it to remove and dissolve militant organizations in Gaza, but it is far from clear that would-be troop contributors would be willing to confront such groups. None of the states has yet pledged to sending peacekeepers.

Additionally the requirements for modification of Palestinian leadership, the prerequisite towards progress on independence, have been vague.

EU representatives said they deemed it necessary that the names of the specialized group to distribute aid was settled as promptly.