Have the US and Israel agreed on Gaza’s future?: Analysis

The United States has outlined its plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza by reuniting the occupied West Bank and Gaza under the Palestinian Authority (PA) and working towards a two-state solution. President Joe Biden wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post calling for basic principles such as no forcible displacement of Palestinians and no reoccupation or reduction in territory. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of the PA taking over Gaza and has plans for an Israeli military presence there.

The relationship between the US and Israel has been marked by mixed messaging. Initially, Biden expressed staunch support for Israel after the Hamas attack on Gaza, but later questioned the Palestinian death toll and made claims about Hamas that were later retracted. Pressure from progressives within the Democratic Party and international actors led to a shift in tone, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed back on Netanyahu’s assertion that Israel would control Gaza after the war. The question of who will govern Gaza remains unresolved.

Netanyahu has indicated that Israel does not intend to occupy Gaza after the war but has made it clear that he will not hand over control to the PA. He cited issues with the PA’s school syllabus and its payments to families of imprisoned Palestinians. As Israel’s forced displacement and attacks on civilian infrastructure continue, questions arise about whether Israel wants any Palestinians left in Gaza at all.

There have been concerns about genocidal and ethnic cleansing language used by Israeli politicians and officials. Netanyahu invoked the “Amalek” nation from Judaic scripture, and there have been extreme statements about dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza. The relationship between the US and Israel remains intact, but domestic pressures and the upcoming election have put Biden in a difficult position.

While Biden has hinted at a more even-handed approach and the resuscitation of the two-state solution, skeptics doubt the US is truly an honest broker. The US has consistently protected Israel in the United Nations and provided extensive military assistance. Netanyahu’s brazen expansionism and Trump’s decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem have further emboldened Israeli actions.

The war has resulted in significant damage and displacement in Gaza, with many homes destroyed, jobs lost, and people internally displaced. The future of Gaza remains uncertain, with the possibility of a strip in the strip becoming a Palestinian refugee camp under Israeli control. The situation is unlikely to be resolved quickly or easily.

Analysis:
The article presents information about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, focusing on the contrasting views and statements from the US and Israeli leaders. However, it is important to critically evaluate the credibility of the sources and analyze potential biases in the presentation of facts.

The article primarily relies on quotes from individuals such as Lara Friedman, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Noura Erakat, an associate professor at Rutgers University. While these individuals have expertise in the field, it is important to consider their potential biases or perspectives. For example, Aaron David Miller is described as having a deep relationship with Israel, which could influence his views. Similarly, Noura Erakat’s views may lean towards Palestinian perspectives.

The article presents statements from Biden, Netanyahu
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/21/have-the-us-and-israel-agreed-on-gazas-future