Editorial | Flawed US Gaza peace plan is better than more Palestinian suffering
The US-backed resolution offers a glimmer of hope and perhaps temporary relief, but it is no solution to Israel’s illegal occupation
But while it has been hailed as a major diplomatic win for the administration of US President Donald Trump, it would be unrealistic to expect it to achieve any long-term peace. At most, it kicks the can down the road.
Unlike peace plans proposed by China and the Arab states earlier in the year, it offers no real means of ending the illegal Israeli military occupation and achieving Palestinian statehood, which is now recognised by 158 states around the world, including several key Western allies of the US. Some warn that the new plan could even help legitimise the control of Gaza by Israel and the US.
The 15-member Security Council passed the resolution with 13 votes in favour while Russia and China abstained. Unlike the US, which had vetoed previous proposals, China is diplomatically committed to work with the Arab states that support the resolution.
The plan puts Gaza under the control of a Trump-led Board of Peace for at least two years and authorises the deployment of an international force that will operate inside the territory.