UN Secretary general Praises Trump’s Role in Gaza Ceasefire, Warns of West bank Annexation
In a meaningful address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, UN Secretary General António Guterres lauded former US President Donald Trump’s “robust diplomacy” for it’s pivotal role in securing the recent Gaza ceasefire. “The negotiations were dragging, dragging, dragging. And then all of a sudden it happened,” Guterres remarked. “I think there was a large contribution of the robust diplomacy of the at the time of the president-elect of the United States.”
The Secretary General highlighted the sudden shift in Israel’s stance,noting,”I feel that when we had the position of Israel still reluctant to [have] the ceasefire,just two days before it happened,and then all of a sudden,there was an acceptance.” However, Guterres expressed concern that Israel’s military successes against Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon might embolden it to annex the West Bank and leave Gaza in a state of limbo.
“It is clear for me that Israel is not fundamentally interested in Gaza. Its essential interest is in the West Bank,” Guterres stated. He warned that any such annexation would be “a total violation of international law” and could derail the Abraham accords, which aim to normalize relations between Israel and Arab states in exchange for progress on the Palestinian issue. “That would mean that we would never have a real stable, peaceful Middle East,” he added.The situation in the west Bank has escalated further, with President Trump issuing an executive order to cancel sanctions imposed by former President Joe Biden against violent Jewish settlers. This decision followed reports of settlers rampaging through the West Bank, attacking and burning Palestinian homes and villages in protest against the Gaza ceasefire.
Trump also reinstated sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.Turning to broader regional tensions, Guterres urged Iran to take the “first step” in de-escalating conflicts by pledging not to develop nuclear weapons and recognizing the independence of its neighbors.
In a stark warning on climate change, the secretary General described global warming as a “horror film” and the world’s “fossil fuel addiction” as a “Frankenstein’s monster” that spares nothing and no one.He cautioned financial institutions and industries backtracking on climate commitments, stating they were on the “wrong side of history and science.”
Guterres highlighted the dire consequences of rising sea levels, predicting that 13 of the world’s largest ports for oil supertankers would be overwhelmed. “2024 is highly likely to be the first calendar year that’s pushed back past 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels,” he saeid. “Breaching these limits does not mean the long-term goal of keeping the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees is shot. It means we need to fight even harder to get on track, especially when we are seeing …sea level rise, heat waves, floods, storms, droughts and wildfires.”
He painted a grim picture of a future where “every economy feels the pain of supply chains severed,of infrastructure destroyed,higher prices and higher insurance premiums or no insurance at all.” Notably, Guterres did not comment on President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United states from the Paris Climate Agreement.
| Key points | details |
|—————-|————-|
| Gaza Ceasefire | Trump’s “robust diplomacy” credited for breakthrough. |
| West Bank Annexation | Guterres warns of violation of international law. |
| Abraham Accords | Annexation could undermine normalization efforts. |
| Climate Change | Rising sea levels threaten global ports; 2024 likely to exceed 1.5°C threshold. |
The Secretary general’s remarks underscore the delicate balance of diplomacy, regional stability, and global environmental challenges facing the world today.
Headline: Guterres, Trump, and the Gaza Ceasefire: A Conversation with Middle east Specialist Dr. Lila Habib
Introduction: In a significant address at the world Economic Forum in Davos, UN Secretary General António Guterres praised former US President Donald Trump’s role in the recent gaza ceasefire while expressing concerns over potential annexation of the West Bank. We invite you to dive into an insightful discussion between our senior editor and Dr. Lila Habib, a renowned Middle East specialist, as they explore the intricacies of Guterres’ remarks and their implications for the region.
gaza Ceasefire: Trump’s Robust Diplomacy
Senior Editor (SE): Dr. Habib, Secretary general Guterres credited Trump’s “robust diplomacy” for the recent gaza ceasefire. How significant was Trump’s influence in this breakthrough?
Dr. Lila Habib (DH): The Gaza ceasefire was indeed a surprising growth, given the long-standing tensions. Trump’s involvement as president-elect likely played a crucial role in pushing Israel towards acceptance. His robust diplomacy, perhaps centered around the promise of future US involvement in the region, encouraged Israel to caves during the negotiations.
israel’s Annexation Threat and the West Bank
SE: Guterres warned that Israel’s military successes could embolden it to annex the West Bank,leaving gaza in limbo. How likely is this scenario, and what are the potential consequences?
DH: The annexation of the West Bank has long been a contentious issue, and Israel’s recent military successes may indeed embolden hardliners within its government. However, Guterres is right to warn about the international law implications and potential damage to the abraham Accords if such a move were to happen. Annexation could reignite conflicts, derail normalization efforts with arab states, and further complicate the Palestinian peace process.
The Abraham Accords: A Fragile Peace?
SE: Guterres also suggested that West Bank annexation could undermine the Abraham Accords. How stable are these agreements, and what threats do they currently face?
DH: The Abraham Accords represent a significant shift in the region, but they remain fragile. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at the core of many Middle Eastern issues, and any further escalation, like a West Bank annexation, could jeopardize these agreements. The deals’ long-term success depends on progress in the Palestinian issue and addressing the concerns of the Palestinian people and their advocates in the region.
Climate Change: The Undeniable threat
SE: Secretary General Guterres painted a grim picture of climate change’s consequences, including rising sea levels threatening global ports by 2024. How urgency should we ascribe to these warnings?
DH: Guterres’ warnings on climate change are stark reminders of the urgent action needed to mitigate its impacts.Rising sea levels, heat waves, and other extreme weather events pose significant threats to our global infrastructure and economies. We must treat these warnings with the utmost seriousness and take aspiring steps to limit global warming and adapt to its consequences. The world is running out of time to address this crisis effectively.