Trump Gaza Security Council Resolution Supports Pathway to Palestinian State
Nov. 17—Sources close to the White House expect the UN Security Council resolution sponsored by the United States to endorse the second phase of the Trump Peace Plan for Gaza, including ultimately turning governance over to the Palestinian Authority as part of a pathway toward a Palestinian State.
The resolution, echoing language in the signed Trump Peace Plan, acknowledges the Palestinian right to self-determination and sovereignty. This language was not included in earlier drafts but was demanded by Arab backers of the peace plan, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, the Emirates, Turkey, and Pakistan.
Netanyahu’s Opposition and Trump’s Calculus
These sources say Trump had previously wavered on supporting the "pathway" to Palestinian statehood, fearing backlash from the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu—referred to by critics as the Butcher of Gaza—who has vowed never to allow the establishment of a Palestinian State. Netanyahu, described as messianic by some observers, believes Israel would be overwhelmed by such a state, particularly if the more than 13 million Palestinian diaspora were to return to their new homeland.
Netanyahu, these sources report, urged Trump to omit Palestinian statehood from the resolution. He was reportedly told by Presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner that this was not possible. Trump told Netanyahu he sought the widest possible Arab backing for the next phase of the peace plan, which includes the creation of an Arab-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) to police the ceasefire and Gaza. Trump and his mediators, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, encountered reluctance from Arab states to join the ISF without a UN resolution endorsing its creation.
Israeli Cabinet Backlash and Trump’s Strategic Shift
Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition members, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, responded with expected outrage when it became clear Trump would not back down on the Palestinian State issue.
Netanyahu stated that despite the U.S. submitting a UN Security Council draft resolution that foresees "a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood," his opposition to a Palestinian state "has not changed at all." He told a meeting, “Gaza will be demobilized and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way. I don’t need reinforcements and tweets and lectures from anyone.”
Netanyahu’s comments followed backlash from his ministers, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, who declared, "Israel's policy is clear. A Palestinian state will not be established." On Nov. 15, Smotrich urged Netanyahu to draw up an "appropriate and decisive response" to "clarify to the entire world – no Palestinian state will be established."
Trump’s Pressure on Netanyahu
Sources close to the White House report that Trump, Witkoff, and his team may revise their strategy for dealing with Israel in the peace process. Trump and his emissaries have told Netanyahu he should dissolve his right-wing cabinet, which they view as a roadblock to peace, and instead consider forming a "Grand Coalition" with the opposition that could make necessary concessions, including on Palestinian statehood.
"Now they are finally understanding that it is Bibi who is the problem," said a source, "and that he just uses crazy people like Smotrich as a cover for his own schemes. If Trump comes to understand that Bibi is the problem and obstacle and that this won't change, then Netanyahu's political future can be measured in nanoseconds. It is Trump, not Bibi who is the most politically powerful force in Israel."
A Russian proposal to counter the U.S. resolution was withdrawn this morning, sources report, in response to a Trump request to Moscow. The Russian resolution, based on the U.S. draft, was more explicit in its support for a Palestinian state and placed the ISF under the direction of the UN Secretary General. The Russians are not expected to veto the U.S. proposal but may abstain. The Chinese are expected to do likewise.
Hamas Negotiations and ISF Challenges Ahead
Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Nov. 15, in a call arranged at Moscow's initiative. The PM's office said it followed "a series of talks preceding it recently, dealing with regional topics." The Kremlin stated the two discussed "recent developments in the Gaza Strip amid the cease-fire, the situation around Iran's nuclear program, and efforts to support stability in Syria."
Meanwhile, the New York Times is reported Witkoff to be on its way to the region for a direct meeting with Hamas leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya to discuss the ceasefire and Hamas concerns over the next phases of the Trump plan. Sources report Hamas does not trust the agreement reached between Netanyahu and Kushner to allow more than 200 Hamas fighters trapped in tunnels to leave Gaza for exile, especially since no country has agreed to take them. Hamas has warned the Americans that an Israeli massacre of those in the tunnels could end the ceasefire and restart the war.
Sources report Hamas has agreed to turn over arms to the newly formed ISF once operational. However, they want the ISF to also disarm the thousands of gang and clan members armed by the Israelis to fight Hamas. Witkoff has reportedly told Trump that these armed groups, which are under no effective control, pose a greater danger to the peace plan than Hamas.
In a piece outlining the challenges of defining the ISF’s mission and composition, Haaretz analyst Amos Harel nonetheless concluded:
"Will the devil in the details foil the 20-point plan? Despite all these difficulties, the project still has an incredible force behind it: Donald Trump. So far, he has shown keen determination to preserve the momentum. He micromanages the discussion process and broke diplomatic traditions when he held direct talks with Hamas and forced a cease-fire and partial withdrawal on Israel. Trump even changed tack and sent over soldiers, while dropping his delusions of expelling the Gazans. And, seemingly against his own best interests, he has made himself chairman of the Board of Peace. In doing so, it has taken on the burden of making the mission succeed. Let's see how far his determination gets him."