Olmert on lasting peace: 'We are prepared to fight for it' | DW News

Key Concepts

• Ceasefire: An agreement to stop fighting, in this case, between Israel and Hamas.
• Hostages and Prisoners Exchange: The release of individuals held captive by one party in exchange for prisoners or detainees held by the other.
• Gaza's Future Governance and Security: The complex question of who will rule and maintain order in Gaza after the current conflict.
• International Security Force: A proposed multinational force to ensure security in Gaza.
• Board of Peace: A proposed body, potentially led by Donald Trump, to oversee peace efforts.
• Palestinian Authority (PA): The self-governing administrative body of the Palestinian territories.
• Fatah: The dominant political party within the PA.
• Hamas: The militant Islamist organization that governs Gaza.
• Two-State Solution: A proposed framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by establishing two independent states, one Israeli and one Palestinian.
• Reconciliation: The process of restoring friendly relations between groups that have been in conflict.

Prospects for Lasting Peace in Gaza

Current Ceasefire Status and Challenges

• The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in effect for nearly four weeks, has largely held.
• However, the path forward for Gaza remains uncertain due to widespread destruction and hundreds of thousands of displaced people living in makeshift shelters.
• The initial phase of the ceasefire involved the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and detainees, a halt in fighting, and increased aid deliveries.
• Tensions have arisen due to the slow return of hostage bodies, and critical questions regarding Gaza's future governance and security are unresolved.

Efforts for Stabilization and Peace

• Ahuod Almard's Perspective: The process for lasting peace has not yet begun; current efforts are focused on stabilizing the ceasefire, which is challenging due to both sides seeking to maintain advantages. Israel aims to project Hamas as destroyed, while Hamas resists complete disarmament. The immediate goal is to make the ceasefire permanent and establish an international security force for Gaza. Direct peace talks have not commenced.
• Nasser Al-Qidwa's Perspective: The Trump plan has yielded some positive results, including the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and a de facto ceasefire with minor Israeli attacks. However, the "day after" scenario in Gaza remains difficult.

Future Governance and Security in Gaza

The Proposed "Board of Peace" and Palestinian Authority's Role

• Ambiguity of the "Board of Peace": The exact mandate and composition of the Board of Peace, potentially headed by Donald Trump and including Tony Blair, are unclear. There are discussions about additional layers of governance, including an executive committee and a broader Palestinian body.
• Nasser Al-Qidwa's View on PA Role: The Palestinian Authority (PA) insists on a clear role in Gaza's governance to avoid dividing Palestinian territory and potentially allowing Hamas to persist. Al-Qidwa advocates for a new Palestinian body "organically linked" to the PA, allowing for its engagement and theoretical charge.
• Ahuod Almard's View on PA Role: The Israeli government, in general, opposes any PA involvement in Gaza's future governance. Almard criticizes the Israeli government for lacking a vision for the "day after" and notes that a faction within the government favors expelling Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank and integrating these territories into Israel. He highlights that President Trump had to pressure Netanyahu to move forward and accept a 20-point proposal, which he considers a significant, albeit initial, step towards stabilizing Gaza.

Potential Palestinian Representation and Israeli Government Stance

• Acceptable Palestinian Bodies: Almard suggests that the Israeli government's opposition to the PA is for "wrong reasons." He argues that Netanyahu's government previously supported Hamas as a counterweight to the PA. The current situation necessitates a change in strategy, including getting rid of Hamas, but this should not lead to the elimination of the PA.
• Reasons for PA Reform: Almard agrees with other reasons for PA reform, such as the need for regular, mandatory elections, changes to fight corruption, and increased democracy. He believes these are universally accepted points that are being overlooked.
• Nasser Al-Qidwa on Personal Involvement: Al-Qidwa states that any Palestinian returning to Gaza amidst the current conflict would be "crazy," but acknowledges a responsibility to their country and would be available if needed. He humorously notes that anyone signing a joint agreement with a former Israeli Prime Minister during wartime is courageous, implying a potential suitability for a leadership role.

The Role of Hamas

• Hamas's Current Status: Almard asserts that Hamas, after two years of conflict, is not an imminent danger to Israel's security. However, he emphasizes that the objective is to prevent Hamas from regaining any dominant political, administrative, or security position in Gaza. This security role would be handled by the international security force as part of the 20-point plan.
• Al-Qidwa's Stance on Hamas: Al-Qidwa believes that simply stating Hamas will not be part of governance is insufficient. He calls for a clear commitment from Hamas to end its control in all forms and place heavy weapons under the control of a new Palestinian body. In return, he suggests keeping the door open for Hamas's structural transformation into a political party under a different name and Israeli law.
• Challenges with Enforcement: Al-Qidwa expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of an international enforcement force, suggesting that countries are unlikely to commit soldiers for disarmament. He advocates for a stabilization force to support Palestinian security forces in implementing politically agreed-upon measures.

The Two-State Solution and Reconciliation

Momentum and Obstacles for a Two-State Solution

• Nasser Al-Qidwa's Concerns: Al-Qidwa hopes that the momentum for a peaceful situation and a two-state solution will not be lost, emphasizing that it is the only viable alternative. He believes it is achievable and should be the ultimate goal after resolving the Gaza situation.
• Ahuod Almard's Perspective on Public Opinion: Almard acknowledges that their proposals might seem like the "worst possible solution" given the current trauma of the October 7th attacks and the lack of readiness from both Palestinian and Israeli publics. However, he argues that the need for their proposal stems from the fact that a simple, popular solution is not available. He stresses that without a political solution, the cycle of war and bloodshed will continue.

The Path to Reconciliation

• Ahuod Almard's Call for Courage: Almard believes that peace requires courage, determination, vision, and leadership. He and Al-Qidwa are experienced individuals who believe a solution is possible and are prepared to fight for it, urging both sides to grasp the opportunity before it is lost again.