Etiket arşivi: two-state solution

Peace in Gaza

October 14, 2025

After two years of war, the implementation of the first phase of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan has sparked great joy in Israel and Gaza, along with “cautious optimism” worldwide because the plan leaves much to be negotiated among the parties. Regardless, with the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees, yesterday’s Knesset session, and the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the US signed “The Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity”, October 13, 2025, will be remembered as a notable date, perhaps the “Trump Day” in Middle East history.[i] Why the Trump Declaration was signed only by the four leaders and not more is a question.

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UNGA 80 and Türkiye’s Agenda

September 22, 2025

This morning, the UN General Assembly begins its “High-level Week 2025” with a meeting to mark the 80th anniversary of the UN. Later in the day, the UN will resume the High-Level International Conference for the “Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. The conference aims to reaffirm international commitments to the two-state solution and seek support for its implementation. From September 22 to 30, world leaders will address global issues during the General Debate.

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The West in Disarray

October 14, 2024

The November 5, US presidential election is only three weeks away. On January 20, 2025, the new US president will take office. Thus there will be a six-week period of transition. Then the new president will form her/his government and get a closer look at the challenges ahead. In brief, the new US administration’s fully taking the reins will take time.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu Visits a Turbulent US

July 28, 2024

Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the US Congress for the fourth time, the most of any foreign leader in history. Winston Churchill had addressed Congress only three times.

Mr. Netanyahu’s previous address to Congress was in March 2015, during the Obama presidency, and only two weeks before the Israeli elections. Traditionally, US administrations do not receive foreign heads of state or government shortly before their elections. Still, the Republican leaders of Congress decided to invite him, defying President Obama.

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Israel’s Time of Troubles

May 27, 2024

The Hamas onslaught of October 7 has been described by many as a “shock” for Israel. In terms of its violence, indeed it was a shock, but considering the misery, subjugation, and deprivation in Gaza, next to one of the world’s most prosperous and advanced countries, and growing international apathy toward the Palestinian question, a local outburst was only to be expected. Recently, Professor John Mearsheimer, a prominent critic of US foreign policy, called the situation in Gaza, “apartheid”.[i] And no wonder that the case against Israel was brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by South Africa whose President Cyril Ramaphosa said that as a people who once tasted the bitter fruits of dispossession, discrimination, racism, and state-sponsored violence, they are clear that they will stand on the right side of history.

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Growing Concerns Over Israel’s Rafah Offensive

May 20, 2022

Until yesterday, international attention was focused on the pending Israeli offensive on Rafah and the domestic political challenges facing Prime Minister Netanyahu. On Sunday, however,  Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials died in a helicopter crash on their way back home from Azerbaijan. How this tragedy would impact the extremely complicated Middle East picture remains to be seen.

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The Arduous Path to the Two-State Solution

October 27, 2023

“While declarations, resolutions, and universal “sectoral” treaties have articulated some distinct conditions and core elements, no standardized definition of terrorism exists. In the absence of an internationally agreed definition of acts of terrorism, the High Commissioner for Human Rights calls upon States to be guided by the key elements of acts of terrorism provided in Security Council resolution 1566 (2004) and the model definition developed by the Special Rapporteur. As a minimum, Terrorism involves the intimidation or coercion of populations or governments through the threat or perpetration of violence, causing death, serious injury or the taking of hostages.”

“In reality, national definitions of terrorism remain largely left to the discretion of States, leading to varying interpretations in domestic counter-terrorism legislation.”[i]

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No Quick End to the Gaza War

October 21, 2023

On October 18, President Biden arrived in Tel Aviv on what many called “a high-stakes trip”. Mentioned in that context were standing resolutely behind Israel, preventing a wider regional conflict, and saving hostages. One may also add Mr. Biden’s legacy to the list.

After sharing hugs with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog, “We will continue to have Israel’s back as you work to defend your people,” he said at the airport.

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