UN Security Council to Vote on Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Monday

The UN Security Council is set to vote on Monday, November 17, 2023, on a resolution that endorses US President Donald Trump‘s Gaza peace plan. This decision follows the official launch of negotiations within the 15-member council aimed at establishing a framework for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

A draft resolution, obtained by AFP on Thursday, indicates that it would welcome the establishment of a “Board of Peace,” which would serve as a transitional governing body for Gaza, with a proposed mandate extending until the end of 2027. This board is expected to be chaired by Trump and would oversee the formation of a “temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF).” This force would collaborate with Israel, Egypt, and newly trained Palestinian police to secure border areas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.

Notably, the latest draft mentions the possibility of a future Palestinian state, a significant shift from previous proposals. In a joint statement issued on Friday, the United States and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, expressed their support for the swift adoption of the resolution.

The statement reads, “The United States, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Türkiye express our joint support for the Security Council Resolution currently under consideration.” This call for quick action underscores the urgency surrounding the resolution.

As discussions progress, Russia has circulated a competing draft resolution that does not authorize the establishment of the proposed board or the immediate deployment of an international force in Gaza. According to the Russian text, it acknowledges “the initiative that led to the ceasefire” but does not reference Trump. Instead, it requests that the UN Secretary-General submit a report on the potential deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza.

The US has described the ceasefire as “fragile,” warning of the consequences of not adopting its draft resolution. In an opinion piece for The Washington Post, Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, stated, “Any refusal to back this resolution is a vote either for the continued reign of Hamas terrorists or for the return to war with Israel, condemning the region and its people to perpetual conflict.”

While some Security Council members have shown support for the principles outlined in the peace plan, diplomatic sources indicate that there are concerns regarding the US proposal. Specific issues include the lack of a monitoring mechanism by the Council, the role of the Palestinian Authority, and the details surrounding the ISF’s mandate.

The Russian UN mission has pointed out that its alternative proposal emphasizes the recognition of a “two-State solution for the Israeli-Palestinian settlement,” which it claims was not adequately addressed in the US draft. This ongoing debate highlights the complexities and challenges involved in reaching a comprehensive peace agreement in the region.

As the vote approaches, the international community watches closely, aware that the outcome could have significant implications for the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East.