The Biden administration is working to prevent its Arab partners from advancing an expansive vision for an Israel-Palestinian peace settlement after the Gaza war, instead pushing a more restrained framework that is expected to be rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, according to documents obtained by Israeli news media.
A State Department document titled, “Joint Statement on Principles to Support a Future of Peace for Israelis and Palestinians,” has been approved by the White House, a US official said. Washington has been using it as a basis for ongoing talks with Arab allies, including meetings US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold in Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan early next week.
The document obtained by The Times of Israel outlines ten principles:
1. The international community should support the reconstruction of Gaza, ensuring the opening of crossings into the Strip for an unimpeded flow of aid.
2. Gaza’s rule by terror groups must end, with all terrorist organizations and armed groups required to disarm and renounce violence. A disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration mechanism will facilitate this process.
3. Israel should fully withdraw from Gaza without reducing its territory, military occupation, or forced displacement of Palestinians, who will be allowed to return to their communities.
4. Gaza and the West Bank should be reunified under the Palestinian Authority, which will receive assistance from international partners during a transitional period until it can fully govern the Strip.
5. Final status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization should resume, based on the premise that an enduring end to the conflict and occupation can only be achieved through direct negotiations.
6. Support for an “independent, contiguous, and viable” Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps and a just solution for Palestinian refugees, as envisioned in the Arab Peace Initiative. This marks the first time the US is backing the Arab Peace Initiative.
7. The possibility of normalization between Saudi Arabia and other Arab states and Israel with concrete progress toward a two-state solution is a promising avenue to achieving peace, security, and regional integration.
8. A rejection of unilateral actions by both sides, including settlement expansion and glorification of terrorism and violence. Both sides are also called to uphold the rule of law and reject incitement.
9. A call to abide by commitments reached during summits in Aqaba and Sharm al-Sheikh last year, which also rejected unilateral actions. The document urges upholding the status quo at the Temple Mount, recognizing the deep connection of many faiths to Jerusalem.
10. An appeal for the Palestinian Authority to implement far-reaching reforms focused on good governance, transparency, fighting corruption, education, and welfare reform.
As the Biden administration seeks to navigate these complex dynamics, it continues to engage with regional partners to forge a path toward lasting peace.
