https://arab.news/n4jhc
The long-awaited press conference between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday produced what some are calling a breakthrough plan for Gaza and the broader Palestinian question. But short of details, a timeframe for the Israeli withdrawal and a roadmap, the plan leaves many questions unanswered, especially as it pertains to Palestinian rights and their ability to eventually be the masters of their own fate. For now, this is an American-Israeli plan, reluctantly agreed to by Arabs and with no Palestinian input whatsoever.
On the surface, it represents a rare moment of compromise from the Israeli prime minister and a rare display of American presidential determination to push to control what has become a liability (i.e., Netanyahu) to both the US and Israel. But as with many such announcements, the details matter — and those details leave plenty of room for skepticism.
As portrayed to the world, the plan outlines a framework for gradually ending Israel’s occupation. Ultimately, it leaves the issue of a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank for later. While the American plan does not explicitly endorse Palestinian statehood now, nor hand the Palestinian Authority a direct role in Gaza, it avoids shutting the door. It leaves a window — however narrow — for the reinvigoration of a political horizon for Palestinians and adds to the demands of reform by the Ramallah-based Palestinian leadership if it hopes to have any future political role.
