GAZA PEACE PLAN – STEP TOWARDS PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD
By Dr Ashraf Chohan
Chairman PMLN UK
Chief Editor Daily Rapid Lahore
Gaza Peace Plan’ is aimed at ending the two years long war in Gaza. It is not the ‘final solution’ to the Palestine Issue, which is much more complex and will need more efforts for permanent settlement.
- This plan will lead to termination of the war and bring closure to sufferings in Gaza.
Most important element is denial of permanent occupation of Gaza by Israel, as demanded by ultra right-wing Israeli politicians. It obliges Israel to accept a future Palestinian state. It guarantees no exodus from Gaza. Even those Hamas members who put down their weapons and are ready to live under new administration will be given amnesty.
It also gives a pathway for Gaza to be governed by Palestinian Authority in near future, which is accepted as legitimate representative of Palestinians by all Muslim countries.
Israel has accepted the plan. Therefore, now Muslim countries can pitch it as ‘Israel’s irreversible commitment to two state solution’.
Israel has accepted it under pressure. It was evident from the way Netanyahu was trying to sell it to ultra right Israelis in press conference.
Plan also denies annexation of West Bank by Israel.
Israel has touted numerous ideas during two years war; evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza, permanent occupation/ annexation of Gaza, partial occupation of Gaza, dislocating Gazans to only a single part/ ghetto inside Gaza, annexation of West Bank. It denies all these to Israel.
Israel has never allowed any Palestinians to return who leave by choice or by force. However, Muslim countries have got the right to return clause built in the plan.
Transitional Government will be made of Palestinians; apolitical and technocrats.
Gaza will be secured by an International Security Force and Israeli forces will have to withdraw.
As President Trump will lead the Supervisory Board it will guarantee that Israel adheres to its implementation.
It has the support of all major Muslim countries; KSA, Egypt, Qatar, UAE, Turkey, Jordan, Indonesia. Egypt and Jordan, who have a geographic continuity to Israel/ West Bank/ Gaza and have large Palestinian populations were first to accept it. KSA/ Qatar/ UAE who are expected to finance rebuilding efforts and may also provide security elements have also enthusiastically welcomed it.
One can say that it is not ‘just’. However, this plan is not totally on the terms of ‘the victor’, either. Under the circumstances it is a reasonably feasible plan.
PLO, which runs Palestinian Authority said on 29 Sep that they welcome the plan. They want an independent and sovereign state of Palestine able to live side by state of Israel in security, peace and good neighbourliness.
PLO has always demanded Two State Solution. They have acceded to this in Oslo Accords – 1994. All Arab Countries have also been demanding the same. Plan affirms Palestinians’ right to self determination and statehood.
•Hamas has said that they are studying the plan in good faith.
- If implemented by all parties in good faith, it will end suffering of Palestinians and ultimately give them their own state. If scuttled by extremist Israelis or extremist Palestinian groups, it is likely to lead to permanent occupation of Gaza and gradual annexation of West Bank by Israel.
•Israel is likely to demand that it will grant statehood to Palestinians if more Arab and Muslim countries join Abraham Accords. On this issue, Muslim countries should take a joint stance after mutual consultations.
