🔗 Share this article United Nations Council Endorses the US Gaza Initiative The Security Council has approved measures advanced by the US president for achieving a lasting peace in Gaza, encompassing the deployment of an global peacekeeping force and a possible path to a Palestinian statehood. Unanimous Approval with Notable Absent Votes The resolution was approved by a count of 13-0, with China and Russia abstaining. Washington's diplomat Mike Waltz told the UN assembly that it mapped “a different path in the region for Israelis and Palestinians and all the residents of the region alike”. Compromise Language on Sovereignty Incorporation of allusions to an sovereign Palestinian state was the trade-off the US offered for endorsement from the Arab states, who are likely to contribute stabilisation troops for the global force. “Interim measures that we embark on today must be implemented in following global standards and upholding Palestinian self-determination,” Britain's representative declared. Israeli Objection Remains However, on the eve of the council decision, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu restated his administration's firm resistance to the creation of a Palestinian state, creating uncertainty on whether Israel will allow the execution of the internationally endorsed measures. Main Elements of the Resolution Swift elimination of remaining curbs on assistance into the strip Creation of an global security force Progress on restoration and a eventual “avenue to Palestinian self-determination and sovereignty” Ambiguous Language and Conditions The mention to independence was a compromise addition to an first US version which omitted it. Yet the language is ambiguous and conditional, promising only that once the Palestinian leadership has implemented reforms and the reconstruction of Gaza is under way, “the circumstances may finally be in readiness for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and sovereignty.” Worldwide Response The wording fell far short of the strong guarantee to the establishment of a sovereign Palestine alongside Israel desired by Muslim nations, as well as European council members, but in statements to the council after the decision, representatives from those states said they were willing to endorse the agreement in the benefit of continuing the ongoing cessation of hostilities and swift steps to feed and protect the millions of Palestinians in the strip. “Our delegation has ultimately decided to endorse of this document, a measure that we back its primary aim, namely the maintenance of the cessation of hostilities and the creation of situations allowing the Palestinian people to claim their fundamental rights to sovereignty and sovereignty,” Amar Bendjama declared. Practical Difficulties The resolution provides comprehensive monitoring control to a “board of peace” headed by Donald Trump, but of uncertain membership. The board has to report to the UN but it is not bound by the wishes of the United Nations or by the PA. Furthermore, it demands the formation of a specialized Palestinian group that is expected to manage routine management of the territory and the delivery of services, but it is far from clear who would participate. Security Force Mandate The mission of the international stabilisation force empowers it to disarm and dismantle fighting factions in the strip, but it is highly uncertain that would-be troop contributors would consent to face such groups. None of the states has to date agreed to contributing forces. Moreover the standards for modification of Palestinian leadership, the precondition towards steps to Palestinian statehood, have been unclear. European officials said they viewed it as pressing that the identities of the expert panel to provide utilities was settled as without delay.
The Security Council has approved measures advanced by the US president for achieving a lasting peace in Gaza, encompassing the deployment of an global peacekeeping force and a possible path to a Palestinian statehood. Unanimous Approval with Notable Absent Votes The resolution was approved by a count of 13-0, with China and Russia abstaining. Washington's diplomat Mike Waltz told the UN assembly that it mapped “a different path in the region for Israelis and Palestinians and all the residents of the region alike”. Compromise Language on Sovereignty Incorporation of allusions to an sovereign Palestinian state was the trade-off the US offered for endorsement from the Arab states, who are likely to contribute stabilisation troops for the global force. “Interim measures that we embark on today must be implemented in following global standards and upholding Palestinian self-determination,” Britain's representative declared. Israeli Objection Remains However, on the eve of the council decision, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu restated his administration's firm resistance to the creation of a Palestinian state, creating uncertainty on whether Israel will allow the execution of the internationally endorsed measures. Main Elements of the Resolution Swift elimination of remaining curbs on assistance into the strip Creation of an global security force Progress on restoration and a eventual “avenue to Palestinian self-determination and sovereignty” Ambiguous Language and Conditions The mention to independence was a compromise addition to an first US version which omitted it. Yet the language is ambiguous and conditional, promising only that once the Palestinian leadership has implemented reforms and the reconstruction of Gaza is under way, “the circumstances may finally be in readiness for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and sovereignty.” Worldwide Response The wording fell far short of the strong guarantee to the establishment of a sovereign Palestine alongside Israel desired by Muslim nations, as well as European council members, but in statements to the council after the decision, representatives from those states said they were willing to endorse the agreement in the benefit of continuing the ongoing cessation of hostilities and swift steps to feed and protect the millions of Palestinians in the strip. “Our delegation has ultimately decided to endorse of this document, a measure that we back its primary aim, namely the maintenance of the cessation of hostilities and the creation of situations allowing the Palestinian people to claim their fundamental rights to sovereignty and sovereignty,” Amar Bendjama declared. Practical Difficulties The resolution provides comprehensive monitoring control to a “board of peace” headed by Donald Trump, but of uncertain membership. The board has to report to the UN but it is not bound by the wishes of the United Nations or by the PA. Furthermore, it demands the formation of a specialized Palestinian group that is expected to manage routine management of the territory and the delivery of services, but it is far from clear who would participate. Security Force Mandate The mission of the international stabilisation force empowers it to disarm and dismantle fighting factions in the strip, but it is highly uncertain that would-be troop contributors would consent to face such groups. None of the states has to date agreed to contributing forces. Moreover the standards for modification of Palestinian leadership, the precondition towards steps to Palestinian statehood, have been unclear. European officials said they viewed it as pressing that the identities of the expert panel to provide utilities was settled as without delay.