|
Trending Topics
|
Washington Needs to Intervene in Choosing Gaza's "Technocratic, Apolitical" Governing Committee
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Ghaith al-Omari - Efforts are underway to secure agreement between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas about the composition of the "technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee" that will temporarily govern Gaza. Unless Washington clarifies its preferences and red lines on this issue, it runs the risk of legitimizing a future role for Hamas there. Even if Hamas does not directly participate in Gaza's governance, its formal participation in creating and authorizing the committee is itself a political achievement, casting the terrorist organization as a legitimate actor in postwar Gaza and Palestinian politics. The PA is wary of Hamas participation but is not in a strong enough position to prevent it. Egyptian officials point out that, absent a different practical alternative, securing Hamas's agreement is the only pragmatic way to ensure Hamas does not disrupt the functioning of Gaza's postwar governance structure. In the immediate term, the Trump administration must urgently reiterate its rejection of any process that gives Hamas a role in creating and authorizing the committee. There is no compelling logic to legitimizing Hamas by making it a formal partner in choosing the new governance system. Any concerns that Hamas may disrupt governance can be addressed through understandings between the mediators and Hamas. The writer is a Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and a former advisor to the Palestinian Authority.