U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is considering a post-war plan for Gaza influenced by Israel and the UAE, aimed for presentation post-election. Concerns arise over the marginalization of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, amidst ongoing hostilities. Discussions reveal internal U.S. divisions and significant opposition from Palestinian officials towards the proposed governance changes.
In the wake of recent escalations in Gaza, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is contemplating a comprehensive post-war plan, influenced by proposals from Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to be introduced after the impending presidential election. Officials within the Biden administration are expressing concerns that this plan could further alienate Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his government at a time when tensions remain high and there is no clear resolution for the ongoing hostage crisis or ceasefire with Hamas. The discussions surrounding this initiative have involved multiple stakeholders over several months, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has contributed original ideas to the plan. A notable meeting took place in Abu Dhabi last July, attended by senior U.S. officials and their Israeli and Emirati counterparts, where various elements of the proposal were deliberated. Central to the Emirati vision is a temporary international force to facilitate humanitarian aid and governance reforms in Gaza, conditional upon significant changes within the Palestinian Authority. Despite some agreement on aspects of the plan, significant disagreements remain between the involved parties. For instance, the Emirati side has proposed reopening the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem as a gesture to the Palestinians, a suggestion met with strong opposition from Israeli officials. Moreover, the discussions reveal a divergence regarding the Palestinian Authority’s influence, with the UAE advocating for a diminished role for Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, while Israeli officials prefer a long-term consideration of the Palestinian leadership’s involvement. Discontent lurks within the U.S. State Department over the proposed plan, as internal divisions surface among advisers to the Secretary of State, with some endorsing the framework and others cautioning against its alignment with Israeli interests, arguing it may be rejected outright by the Palestinian factions.
The context of this post-war Gaza plan stems from the ongoing conflict that has left many civilians in peril and the political landscape in disarray. The Biden administration seeks to navigate a complex web of alliances and grievances that influence the prospect of peace. High-level discussions involving key regional players—namely Israel and the UAE—have been ongoing as these nations explore frameworks to stabilize the region post-conflict. However, the Palestinian Authority’s position remains fraught, influenced by internal corruption allegations and its weakened stance in the broader Middle Eastern political arena. The dynamics surrounding this plan highlight the delicate balance sought by the U.S. in mitigating conflict while securing its diplomatic relationships with Israel and regional allies.
The proposed post-war plan for Gaza, spearheaded by Secretary Antony Blinken, raises critical questions about the future governance of the region and the role of the Palestinian Authority. Despite some backing from regional allies, the proposal faces significant opposition and skepticism from various parties, including the Palestinians themselves, who fear the repercussions of sidelining their leadership. As discussions proceed, the ultimate feasibility and acceptance of the plan depend on reconciling the divergent interests of all parties involved, making it an essential yet challenging element of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
Original Source: www.axios.com
