Major Nations Back France's Middle East Peace Proposal, Yet Crucial Countries Remain Skeptical
In a significant move aimed at salvaging a two-state solution with Israel, President Emmanuel Macron of France has announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state next week. This decision comes amidst growing global support for Palestine, with over 142 countries, including Spain, Ireland, Norway, Canada, Britain, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, and Monaco, expected to follow suit at the UN summit on Monday.
This plan, developed over the last six months in collaboration with Saudi Arabia, provides a roadmap for rebuilding Gaza and securing peace after the end of the Gaza war. However, it misses the essential element of any hint of backing by Israel or the United States.
The plan includes practical steps such as the establishment of a "transitional administrative committee" to oversee governance and the creation of a stabilization force under the aegis of the United Nations to provide security. President Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, has also vowed to hold elections in 2026, reform the Palestinian Authority, and strip the Palestinian education curriculum of hate speech and incitement.
In a bold move, President Abbas has called on Hamas to "hand over its weapons," immediately free all hostages, and leave Gaza. This public pronouncement is part of the plan, which is intended to offer a path towards peace and self-determination for the Palestinian people.
However, the path is not without challenges. Israel's war on Hamas, which began on October 7, 2023, has led to widespread destruction, hunger, and the death of about 65,000 people in Gaza, according to Gazan health officials. A ground assault by Israeli forces on central Gaza City this week has displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
The Trump administration, under its current leadership, has worked behind the scenes to pressure allies not to sign on to the plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has declared that "there will be no Palestinian state."
Despite these obstacles, political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin calls the plan "valuable" and suggests that some of its points could be "advanced by individual member states or maybe they can contribute to changing bilateral relations." The plan's potential, coupled with France's diplomatic stature and its large Jewish and Muslim populations, could offer leverage to Arab states in their efforts to push for peace and self-determination for the Palestinian people.
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