Arya News - Israel has expressed anger after the interim government for Gaza replaced its logo with the one used by the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Israel has expressed anger after the interim government for Gaza replaced its logo with the one used by the Palestinian Authority (PA ).
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which sits under Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, is tasked with the day-to-day running of the war-torn Strip as part of the US-brokered peace process.
Israel has staunchly opposed any PA involvement in the new administration.
The original logo agreed upon with Israel
It has said that this is because the PA, which runs the civil government of the West Bank and is controlled by the Fatah political movement, still supports terrorism .
Critics, however, see it as a means of preventing any form of unity between the two Palestinian territories that could form a platform for a future Palestinian state.
Ali Shaath, a technocrat who heads the new body, formerly served in PA in various roles related to transport and planning, but his involvement in the NCAG was supposedly on an explicitly non-PA-affiliated basis.
However, on Monday the committee published a logo which uses the same shield bearing the Palestinian flag against an eagle. It represents the eagle of Saladin, the 12th Century Muslim leader who defeated the crusaders and founded the Ayyubid dynasty.
The only difference is the inscription below, which says NCAG, rather than the Arabic for “Palestinian Authority”.
Although many regard Donald Trump’s peace process as broadly favourable to Israel as compared to the Palestinians, there are many in the Israeli government and commentariat who argue that Israeli concerns are being repeatedly sidelined in order for Mr Trump to preserve the support of Arab and Muslim countries for the process.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said: “Israel will not accept the use of the Palestinian Authority’s symbol, and the PA will not be a partner in the administration of Gaza.
“The logo of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza presented to Israel was completely different from the one published this evening.”
Post-war Gaza
There has been strong pressure from some Arab states for the PA to be given a role in post-war Gaza.
Last week, Mr Netanyahu conceded that PA representatives would play a role in the newly opened Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Israel alleges that the authority still pays stipends to the families of terrorists under the so-called “pay to slay” system, and points to material in school textbooks which it says are blatantly anti-Semitic.
The PA says it has ended pay to slay and is reforming its curriculum.
Mr Netanyahu conceded that PA representatives would play a role in the newly opened Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt - Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu
Most countries, including Britain and France, which formally recognised Palestinian statehood last summer, argue the PA is the legitimate model through which to realise the ambition of Palestinian determination, which they believe is the key to settling the decades-long conflict.
The NCAG is currently meeting in Egypt, but aims to operate from Gaza in the near future.
It has said it will base itself in western Gaza, the part currently under Hamas control.
Disarming Hamas
Israel is waiting for Washington to present its plan for demilitarising the terror group, so that reconstruction can begin.
It is demanding full disarmament, including personal weapons.
The Telegraph revealed last month that Britain has been pushing for Hamas to be allowed to keep their rifles and pistols until security can be guaranteed, as the only way to keep the peace process on track.
It remains to be seen what approach the US will take.
Despite threatening language from Mr Trump and administration officials towards Hamas, slides presented two weeks ago at Davos by Jared Kushner, his son-in-law , suggested the US may favour a phased approach.
The opening of the Rafah crossing – effectively closed for the last two years – is a significant moment in the peace process, and comes the week after Ran Gvili, the final deceased hostage being held in Gaza was located and buried.
A handful of people passed in and out yesterday, but once the crossing point is fully up and running it should allow greater access to Gazans to leave the Strip for medical and other reasons, as well as allowing back those who have been barred from entering since the start of the war.
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