UN 'Protectorate' status for Gaza

The current Middle East situation, with so many countries (which should know better) opting for recognition of Palestine as a state has prompted much thought on my part and also on the part of noted ME commentator Barry Shaw. Locally, Pastor Neil Woodley has urged friends of Israel to write to Hon Winston Peters urging a different approach. I know that Pastor Woodley met with MFAT officials earlier this week. My letter to Minister Peters is included below. In my view the UN General Assembly has been hijacked by the Secretary-General and would welcome the opportunity to reassert its supremacy over the 'big decisions'.

'Dear Minister

I note with approval, the Government's 'slow walking' of its decision on Gaza. That Australian PM Albanese, sought guarantees from the PLO Chair Abbas, before announcing his decision, is beyond laughable. Ignoring for the moment that Abbas is in the 20th year of his 4-year term, the PLO is woefully inadequate in terms of practical governance. It relies on Israel for much of its acute-level medical care and much of its income is tax ($188 million per month), collected on its behalf by its Jewish neighbour. Barry Shaw, the noted Middle East commentator, recently proposed a concept of 'Abrahamic Accord Protectorate' for Gaza. This an ingenious approach, but in my view the established framework of 'UN Protectorate' would be more than adequate and our country with its exemplary record in Samoa is well-able to offer advice and guidance. I can understand that Washington would look favourably on anything that validated the legacy of Pres Trump's first term i.e the Abrahamic Accord, but some members may not want this accolade to be conferred. In this situation, perhaps a form of words that is acceptable to both camps can be worked out. As you are aware, a formal protectorate is the relationship between two countries in which one nation is the  "protector” and the other is the "protected.” In a protectorate relationship, the protected state maintains control of their internal affairs and relinquishes control of external affairs. It is probably too much of a stretch to see Gaza being in a position to 'maintain control of its internal affairs' but a pathway with milestones may be all that is required initially. I believe that New Zealand, in partnership with Western Samoa, should offer itself as  'amicus curiae', to assist the General Assembly formulating a resolution.

I commend the UN Protectorate concept for your attention. '