The only realistic solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict

Indian Express

17 hours ago

A glimpse of hope! The New York Declaration announced by Arab and European powers last Wednesday could well be that missing piece capable of transforming the Middle East, if — a big if — it manages to secure the support of two key cantankerous leaders, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The agreement, spearheaded by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, contained several key and hitherto unimaginable features that are critical for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and cannot be taken lightly.
Though there were only 19 attendees, the composition of the conference reflects its inclusive global character. They include the Arabs (Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar), the Westerners (Britain, Canada, Spain, and Norway), other Muslims (Indonesia and Türkiye), and the Global South players (Brazil, Mexico, and Senegal). While the mercurial Türkiye was party to the declaration, the meeting carefully avoided controversial countries such as South Africa.
With the presence of Qatar and Türkiye, which have been favourably disposed towards Hamas, the Declaration presents several positions that run counter to the Palestinian militant group, its actions and worldview. Breaking away from the past, the statement, also backed by the Arab League, clearly condemns 'all acts of terrorism' and observes that the 'taking of hostages is prohibited under international law'. It has set aside erstwhile ambiguity, justifications and rationalisation of violence. In a radical departure from the past, the statement declares, 'We condemn the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians on the 7th of October.'
The statement also unambiguously calls for an end to Hamas's rule (which is a key Israeli demand) since the militant group forcibly took over control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007. While seeking a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the signatories also demand: 'Hamas must free all hostages.' In a joint voice that would be music to the ears of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, it demands: 'Gaza is an integral part of a Palestinian State and must be unified with the West Bank,' and welcomes a 'One State, One Government, One Law, One Gun' policy of the Palestine National Authority. In short, it calls for the dismantling, disarming, and dissolution of Hamas's control and rule over the Gaza Strip and the PNA taking full legal, political and administrative responsibility for the West Bank as well as Gaza.
The willingness of a growing number of Western states, especially France, Britain and Canada, to reverse their policy and move towards recognising a Palestinian State reflects growing international despair, disappointment and disillusionment over the continuing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the widespread global frustration over President Trump's inability to walk the talk of a ceasefire and an end to the conflict. Rather than issuing inflammatory and pompous statements, under the French-Saudi leadership, a few major powers have adopted a hard-nosed and foresighted path. Palestinian statehood is as important as Israel's right to exist. And the recognition of the State of Palestine without addressing key Israeli complaints would render any effort a non-starter. Realising this conundrum, alongside his desire to recognise the Palestinian State, French President Emmanuel Macron collaborated with a range of Arab, European, and other powers to develop an unprecedented roadmap that is a ray of hope.
At this critical moment, the absence of India from the New York meet might be odd, but understandable. It was one of the first countries to depict the October 7 attack as terrorism and has been consistent in that depiction, even though some European powers have diluted their support for Israel since then. Likewise, even in the midst of the conflict, India reiterated its continued support for the two-state solution, especially when the idea and its timing are not popular with Netanyahu. India's absence might be logistical rather than a difference of policy.
The growing Western support for Palestinian statehood and Arab dissociation from Hamas is an outcome of the radically altered regional climate after the 14-day Israel-Iran conflict. Through a host of military actions and operations since October 2023, Israel has considerably weakened Iran's proxies and downgraded their military capabilities. Their inability to help their patron during the June confrontation with Israel exposed the limitations of Tehran's proxy strategy. The fall of Assad in Syria and internal opposition in Iraq also worked against Iran's regional influence. Thus, regional players, especially Qatar and Türkiye, who were sympathetic towards Hamas until recently, could now come out and openly demand an end to Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. This was unthinkable when Iranian proxies were militarily powerful and politically influential, even just a few months ago.
Despite all the hurdles and limitations, the two-state solution is the only realistic, viable and honourable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The failure of the much-hoped Oslo process compelled some, including several in India, to propose a one-state solution that ignores the national rights of the people concerned. Arguments of one unified state where Arabs and Jews could live peacefully and in harmony exhibit an unfamiliarity with Middle Eastern history. Moreover, it is akin to the idea of Akhand Bharat, which encompasses Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and others with the Indian Republic. Such an idea for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is both suicidal and catastrophic for all stakeholders.
Indeed, on the eve of the New York meeting, Israeli officials were furious and condemned the impending French recognition of the Palestinian State, describing it as a reward for Hamas and its terror tactics. This line of argument was demolished by the New York Declaration and its pragmatic contours for a two-state solution. In the words of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot: 'For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East condemn Hamas, condemn October 7, call for the disarmament of Hamas, call for its exclusion from Palestinian governance, and clearly express their intention to normalise relations with Israel in the future.' The New York Declaration fulfills all the major demands of Israel, and the internationally recognised Palestinian leadership is prepared to shoulder its responsibility for coexistence. Is Netanyahu willing to agree?
The writer teaches contemporary Middle East at Jawaharlal Nehru University