The Start Of The Deal?
A Proposal For A Palestinian State With International Oversight
A Palestinian state is not possible, apparently. And tbf even if Israel decided to leave the Gaza Strip blissfully alone forever, it would take its beleaguered population decades to rebuild by themselves.
Trump’s ethnic cleansing of half Gaza’s population is also not possible, apparently. And tbf even if somehow done with constructive intentions, there would always be the overwhelming risk that the displaced population would never be allowed back.
Well, what is possible?
It seems like a good time to outline new blueprints. How about this - a Palestinian state but with international management to prevent violent operations either from or into Palestine?
The idea of an internationally managed territory is not new. Jerusalem itself was originally envisioned as an international city under UN Resolution 181 in 1947. While that plan was never fully realised, Jerusalem today still functions as a shared religious hub under multiple authorities.
Other precedents exist:
Kosovo (1999–2008) was administered by the UN before transitioning to independence.
East Timor (1999–2002) had an international presence before becoming sovereign.
West Berlin (1945–1990) was protected by international oversight, which prevented Germany itself becoming too powerful too quickly, but also deterred the Soviets.
Key elements could include:
1. A constitution that establishes Palestinian sovereignty with a place at the UN – Gaza would remain Palestinian land, with a locally elected government managing day-to-day affairs.
2. International Oversight – A council composed of regional players (Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Persian Gulf states) and neutral global actors (China, Brazil, South Africa) ensuring fair governance. For obvious reasons, Israel could not be directly involved in the territory but Western states would be its de facto representatives.
3. Demilitarization & Security Guarantees – An international security force to prevent further Israeli incursions and extremist groups from taking hold, as well as “dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs”, as Trump has proposed.
4. Reconstruction & Economic Plan – A multi-billion-dollar rebuilding effort, funded by international donors, ensuring housing, infrastructure, and employment opportunities for Gazans.
5.Peace & Reconciliation Commission - I’m honestly not sure this could even begin but it’d have to be tried at some level.
6. A Path to Full Independence – Over a generation, as stability is achieved, international oversight would gradually reduce, handing full control to the Palestinian government.
As always, the details need to be worked out by professional diplomats. Would any of the key players go for such an option after all that’s happened? All I know is that these are the sort of power-sharing agreements that can work, or at least are the best of the bad options.
Israel wants security – A plan like this removes Hamas' military presence.
Palestinians want sovereignty – Gaza would be Palestinian-run, with guaranteed access to international aid and trade.
The US wants to rebuild and invest - Fine, then do it.
The world wants peace – This offers a non-military solution backed by diplomacy rather than endless bombings and sieges.
Trump says he’s up for creating "the Riviera of the Middle East" for all “the world’s people”, while temporarily providing “a beautiful area” and “nice homes” for Gazans. Let’s hold him to it.
Nice try Doc, not bad for a Sunday and you managed it without using a couple of words, ‘refugees’ and ‘apartheid’.
Surely at the core of the problem is that nastiest of human states - hatred?
It’s not even the elephant in the room, it IS the room. How do you implement ’loving thy neighbour’? Even ‘un-othering’ thy neighbour would be a start.