KARACHI: Former Pakistan ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani has said that Muslim countries have accepted the Trump-backed Gaza Plan as the “best way forward”, but added that its implementation will be shaped by conditional endorsements and a long negotiating process.
Speaking to Geo’s Shahzeb Khanzada on Tuesday night, Haqqani explained that Muslim leaders tried to amend the original plan to secure concessions for Palestinians. “The leaders of the Muslim nations seem to have thought this was the best way forward. And the language/words in the Plan they tried to amend so that the best possible outcomes could be managed for the Palestinians”, he said.
Citing the joint statement by eight Muslim states, he noted that it called for a ceasefire, provision of basic necessities, rebuilding efforts and “a path opened for a separate Palestinian state”.
Haqqani recalled that the initial draft of the plan had contained 21 points. “One point was dropped -- to get the nod from Netanyahu. I feel that point was the one about the establishment of a Palestinian state”, he said, adding that the current 20-point framework would likely serve as “a starting point for the way ahead”, rather than being accepted in its entirety.
On whether Hamas would accept the deal, Haqqani said, “Every word and every condition in an agreement is important. It is obvious that the 20-point Plan released yesterday was amended a lot to give Netanyahu the ability to tell right-wing Israeli parties/elements that he neither agreed to a Palestinian state nor to a withdrawal from Gaza”. Haqqani suggested Hamas could take a similar position.
According to Haqqani, Muslim states’ priorities remain unchanged. “They all want a two-state solution. But they also want an end to the bloodshed”, he said. At the same time, he said that leaders were careful not to outright reject Trump’s initiative. “Everyone has pretty much figured out that, given Trump’s person, it is not a good idea to say no to him. See what happened when India said no”, he remarked. He added: “So the leaders of the Muslim states have thought it’s best to say yes to Trump, and when the talks happen, it can be seen what results can be achieved. Their objectives are known. I don’t think that without a clear conversation regarding a Palestinian state and the Al Aqsa Mosque, any agreement will be able to be finalised”.
Haqqani was sceptical of Israel’s right-wing politicians, suggesting they posed the biggest risk to the plan. “I think the one that will sabotage this Plan will be Israel’s right-wing faction. Because they have gone far ahead in their stance: they’ve been talking about ‘Greater Israel’ and more settlements and annexation”, he said. He pointed out that all sides had hedged their acceptance. “Everyone who has welcomed [this Plan] has in their own unique way also made its welcome conditional”, he explained. “In the same way, Netanyahu has also given a conditional endorsement”. Describing the process ahead, Haqqani compared it to the Oslo Accords -- “this Plan will also be a process”.
He said, “Trump wants a ceasefire. I mean, practically in a way, there is a ceasefire since one side has been beaten so badly that it is not able to fight now. But for them to completely disarm is such a big condition that if, in return, they are guaranteed that Israel is guaranteeing a Palestinian state … then perhaps the matter can go ahead. But I see a rather long negotiating process ahead”.
Haqqani downplayed fears that the US might use force to enforce the agreement. “I don’t see any possibility of American jets going and attacking Palestinians just to aid Israel because that will result in anger across the Arab/Muslim world”, he said. Instead, he predicted Trump would juggle both sides: “Sometimes he’ll ask Qatar to listen to Israel and sometimes he’ll ask Israel to apologise to Qatar and this is how things will move forward”. Ultimately, Haqqani concluded, “What is important is that there is an international consensus that the bloodshed in Gaza is wrong and Israel cannot be given a free hand. And everyone is advocating for a two-state solution. So in this context, Israel has limited cards to play, as does Trump, as well as Hamas.”
