Arab and Muslim countries have stood together to call for Hamas’ disarmament. They demand that Hamas give up control of the Gaza Strip. This historic step has received the support of the 22-member Arab League. Second, it signifies a further step towards a global consensus among nations on how the Palestinian Territories should be governed going forward. At a recent United Nations conference co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, this declaration was born. This represents a powerful multilateral push from the international community to reboot the two-state solution.
Saudi Arabia has long been a proponent of the two-state solution, and its leaders have repeatedly touted the two-state solution as key to ending the persistent conflict. We’d argue that the urgency of this issue could not be more apparent. The United Kingdom has threatened to recognize a Palestinian state in September if Israel refuses to engage in ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. As France prepares to vote in favor of recognition of a Palestinian state, that is certainly the impression you would get. This move has been met with shock and dismay by Israel.
The steps enumerated in the declaration adopted at last month’s New York meeting form the basis of what signatories feel should be the next steps taken. It condemns the deadly October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel and proposes the deployment of “a temporary international stabilization mission” upon invitation from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and “under the aegis of the United Nations.”
Despite this momentum, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains staunchly opposed to the two-state solution, arguing that it would compromise Israel’s security. His administration blasted the statements by France and Britain in recognition of a Palestinian state. They partnered with the United States in this vigorous condemnation.
Peace Now’s declaration calls for a detailed humanitarian plan for Gaza, including … It guarantees that Hamas will have no role in governing once the fighting stops. Egypt’s president suggested that a Palestinian committee be formed to take on governance of Gaza, with eventual handover of control to the PA. This stabilization plan, dubbed Plan B, is designed to bring order and representative governance that reflects the international community’s standards.
“Governance, law enforcement and security across all Palestinian territory must lie solely with the Palestinian Authority, with appropriate international support.” – Joint document from the conference.
Qatar and Egypt, both key mediators in ceasefire negotiations, have maintained their ties with Hamas while engaging with Israel throughout the ongoing conflict. Their involvement is a testament to the complicated nature of regional politics as they work to juggle relationships with Republicans and Democrats, respectively.
Arab and Muslim states have come together with a strikingly strong political signal. This change in tone, a significant one given their previous rhetoric, further emphasizes their newfound recognition of Hamas’s complicity in inciting violence in Gaza.
“We welcome this important progress and the Arab League’s recognition that Hamas must end its rule in Gaza. Kidnapping innocent men, women, and children is a blatant violation of international law and must be unequivocally condemned.” – The Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Reading between the lines, this was France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, explaining why this united front is critical. It was the first time that Arab states have denounced this terrorism perpetrated by Hamas and reinforced their expectations of future normalized relationship with Israel.
“On the part of Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Muslim countries who for the first time will condemn terrorism, the acts of terror on the 7th of October, a call for the disarmament of Hamas and expressed their hope to have a normalized relationship with Israel in due time.” – Jean-Noël Barrot.
