The #SharmElSheikh Communique is an important step towards #deescalation. #Egypt and #Jordan have played an important and constructive role, together with the #US, in bringing #Israeli and #Palestinian officials together and must be welcomed. My take on the developments. 1/8🧵
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/nmladenov/status/1637740905502261249
For calls for #deescalation to work, they need to be followed by a plan addressing the economic, social and security conditions that allow political resolution. In Aqaba the parties called for deescalation and confidence building, in #SharmElSheikh an outline is emerging 2/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/nmladenov/status/1637741643762728960
The Communique reaffirms the Aqaba commitments to uphold all previous agreements, deescalate, uphold the status quo in #Jerusalem, and unilateral measures for 3-6 months, including new settlement announcements for 4 months, and outposts for 6 months in the occupied #WestBank 4/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/nmladenov/status/1637742517947965441
It is to be seen if the positive dynamic from the #SharmElSheikh can produce tangible outcomes and withstand pressures during the upcoming Ramadan, Pesach, and Easter period, or from radicals who may seek to escalate. The test is to implement the steps agreed in the meeting 5/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/nmladenov/status/1637743108136878083
Firstly, to establish a mechanism for improving the #Palestinian economy. Meaningful action must include issues like 24hr opening of Allenby, bonded warehouses, updating long outdated provisions of the economic protocols governing relations between Israel and the PA 6/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/nmladenov/status/1637743571271917570
Secondly, action that “significantly enhances the fiscal situation” of the PA can include reducing Allenby handling fees, that are critical for its fiscal sustainability. This will also require Palestinian reform of the prisoner payment systems to address Israeli concerns 7/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/nmladenov/status/1637744044334891008
Thirdly, a joint mechanism to counter violence, #incitement must show real results in order to restore trust and stand up to terror, inflammatory statements and action that only benefit extremists and undermine the prospect of #peace and ultimately a two-state solution 8/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/nmladenov/status/1637744566320218113
In the absence of the #MiddleEast Quartet, the new format of #Egypt, #Jordan, #Israel, #Palestine and #US may be more effective in helping improve security, strengthen economy and chart a way forward for reviving a political horizon in solving the #Palestinian question. 3/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/nmladenov/status/1637742018368618497