Because it lacks any real cultural or historical relationship with the Palestinian people
The United States cannot stay in the peace process
Palestinian children play next to their homes that were destroyed during the latest conflict between Hamas and Israel last May.
AFP
Blinken met with Abbas to repair relations between the two parties.
Reuters
picture
During the conflict that erupted between the Islamic Resistance Movement "Hamas" and Israel last May, it was Egypt, not the United States, that mediated for a truce between the two parties on May 21.
The Egyptian diplomats succeeded in reaching an end to the conflict through negotiation by taking advantage of their political and cultural relations with Hamas, and their diplomatic relations with Israel, although the American media highlighted the role of the administration of President Joe Biden, but in fact it was Egypt, with the support of Its Arab allies are the ones that played this role.
Despite Washington's participation in stopping the conflict, this was done sideways and not essential, as it does not have any diplomatic relations with Hamas, which rejects the Oslo Accords and recognizes Israel, and opposes the two-state solution.
Washington designated Hamas a terrorist organization several years ago.
complication
The important complication of the peace process is that Hamas has become a major player in the peace process, after it took control of Gaza, following the 2006 vote, where about two million Palestinians live, but there is a diplomatic relationship between the United States and the Palestine Liberation Organization, which controls the West Bank. Western, where about 2.7 million people live, but it is not very strong, since the Oslo agreement in 1993, but this agreement did not lead to significant results. This relationship reached its nadir during the administration of former President Donald Trump, but finally the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to repair relations between the two parties. Certainly, the Biden administration will not be able to reverse all the steps Trump has taken in its quest to mend relations with the PLO.
Although Fatah is not as hard-line as Hamas, it controls the West Bank, suffers from corruption, and continues to consolidate its grip on the Palestinian Authority 15 years after the last elections led by Mahmoud Abbas, who is believed to have amassed a fortune. Estimated at $100 million.
In addition to all that, "Hamas" and "Fatah" are competing fiercely for control of the Palestinian decision, and one of the reasons preventing new elections is Fatah's fear of Hamas winning them.
unified approach
We repeat once again that Egypt, which has worked quietly for years to promote reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, is well aware that lasting peace with Israel requires a unified approach among the Palestinians.
Once again, we say that the United States does not have a central role in the game, and Egypt is in a better position than the United States from a cultural and strategic point of view to play the role of an honest broker between these Arab parties.
On June 8, Egypt hosted meetings with Palestinian leaders, with the aim of supporting the Gaza truce and continuing to find a coherent working relationship between Fatah and Hamas.
time change
In fact, times have changed. During the Cold War and the end of the 20th century, the United States was the main player capable of bringing together the Arab states and Israel, not rival Arab factions, and the United States' ability to play this role has now diminished.
In practice, the United States did not recognize the State of Palestine, but rather the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinians, and it recognizes the Palestinian Authority in governing the Palestinian territories, and it has no relationship with Hamas.
The challenge in working through these diplomatic relations with non-state actors is exacerbated by the fact that US diplomats have no real cultural, historical, or linguistic relationship with the Palestinian people.
swallowing pride
The United States must swallow its pride as a great power and realize that Egypt and the moderate Arab states are in a better position to work with Israel and the Palestinians to reach a final solution.
During the first half of the 20th century, the British Empire was involved in the Palestinian conflict, but eventually withdrew from it, acknowledging the change of times and the decline of power and influence.
It seems that the United States has reached a similar historical turning point, although it is still the number one world power.
Although difficult to admit, the baton of leadership for finding peace in this part of the world must be handed over from Washington and the Western world to players who have been dealing with each other for thousands of years. Evolution accepts history or cultural facts.
• The United States did not recognize the State of Palestine, but rather the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinians. It recognizes the authority in governing the Palestinian territories, and it has nothing to do with Hamas.
Ramon Marx ■ Retired international lawyer in New York
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