According to an analysis by Kyriakos Pierides, published in Politis newspaper, the Trump plan for Gaza, encompassing 20 points for a ceasefire and long-term peace, is ambitious yet achievable under the challenging circumstances. Pierides emphasizes that the time has come to break the vicious cycle of war between Israel and Hamas, potentially leading to a lasting peace in the medium term. The article explores the lessons Cyprus can draw from this new conjuncture and how it might leverage the situation.
The Trump plan's critical provisions, including the complete neutralization of terrorism and the immediate release of hostages, have stripped Israel, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of pretexts for continued military action. Netanyahu's previous actions, such as the strike on Doha, jeopardized U.S. relations with the Arab world and exhausted the international community's patience. The intervention of European democracies played a significant role in this shift.
A crucial aspect of the plan is the provision against the displacement of Palestinians, coupled with immediate, unimpeded humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. The declarative mention of recognizing a Palestinian state offers a final opportunity for peace, stating that conditions may eventually create a credible path for self-determination and the creation of a Palestinian state entity.
The success of this new beginning hinges on the immediate stakeholders. The international opportunity is linked to internal developments in Israel, including the potential removal of Netanyahu, and the Palestinian Authority's ability to reform and become a credible interlocutor. Palestinians are urged to reflect on the losses of the past three decades and seize this opportunity, albeit from a much-deteriorated position.
This presents the first significant lesson for Cypriots. While they have had the luxury of time and greater control over their destiny, the value of time in preventing irreversible facts on the ground is equally precious for Cyprus. The article criticizes the Cypriot leadership for seeking a geopolitical role through the misfortunes of others, suggesting a shift in paradigm from a problem of division and geopolitical rivalries to a prospect of "peace and coexistence." This model is deemed perfectly suited for Cyprus, its two communities, and the resolution of their problem, with positive repercussions for Greece-Turkey relations and European interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
This should be the dominant narrative of Cyprus's foreign policy: to become a contributor to regional stability. The second lesson for Cypriots is to stop reproducing narratives that trap them in the past. The Cyprus problem, while having real differences, is considered much milder than the Palestinian issue, which is fraught with bloodshed and hatred. Cyprus is a modern EU member state, co-founded by its two communities, which recognize and accept each other. The adjustments required for a reunification agreement are not insurmountable and are guaranteed by the EU.
The Trump plan for Gaza demonstrates the immense effort required for peace in the Middle East. In contrast, Cyprus is described as being "a breath away from peace," if it genuinely pursues it. The UN has confirmed that all elements for a strategic agreement were on the table in 2017. The hope generated by the Gaza developments provides a new basis for Nicosia to exercise imaginative diplomacy, regain the attention of international interlocutors, and speak the language of common European interests, cooperation, and stability.
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