WhatsappThe notion that Israel functions more like a vassal state of America than an independent country has been the sort of viewpoint posited by Israel’s right-wing for decades now. However fringe this notion has been in the past, the more one analyzes the current situation post Israel’s ceasefire with Hamas, the more one realizes just how non-sovereign Israel really is.
The current Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat is supposed to be a group of foreign powers situated on Israel’s sovereign territory to oversee Israel’s and Hamas’ implementation of the ceasefire agreement. Alongside Jordan, the UK, Germany, Denmark, and Canada—whose flags were displayed at the hub’s unveiling earlier this week—Australia, France, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates have also joined the initiative, a US official confirmed. Australia and France recognized a Palestinian state last month, despite Israeli objections, while Spain did so last year.
What once seemed like a no-brainer of a deal is increasingly growing problematic as more and more countries jump on board. Many of these countries are requesting the mission turn into a UN Security Council-backed operation, and that is precisely what appears to be happening as Secretary of State Marco Rubio is said to be working on the draft language.
President Trump is serious about maintaining the current ceasefire or “peace” as he would call it. The only question is at what cost to Israel. So far, the rhetoric has been just that – rhetoric, but the fast pace at which countries from around the world are joining the operation based in Kiryat Gat gives a sense of an ever-expanding mandate here in the holy land. Already, Israel is said to have asked permission from the US to strike Hamas in the second half of the Gaza Strip the IDF does not control. So far, the Trump administration has granted the requests, but in the future, they can always say no.
For now, Israel is playing along and holding to the ceasefire. But as each day passes and internal pressures from the right-wing increase, Netanyahu will have to find some way to back out of the deal. Trump may not like it, but if Hamas does give enough of a reason, he may understand Israel’s maneuvering, especially if it’s done in a way that leaves Hamas holding the responsibility.
If the “peace” deal goes sour, which in time it will, the only question is what kind of damage will be done to Israel’s ability to reapply it soveriegn rights when it comes to fighting its enemies.
