As a first step, the ceasefire that the Trump administration has just reached for the Gaza Strip, in order to pave the way for negotiations on the peace plan that the American president had presented last week, must be celebrated, the executive director of the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention argues to CNN Portugal. For Elisa von Joeden-Forgey, the most urgent thing immediately is that the truce be respected and that humanitarian aid can finally reach the Palestinians in the enclave. Then come the difficult discussions
How do you view this ceasefire agreement?
We welcome the ceasefire and give credit to US President Donald Trump for bringing this difficult agreement to fruition for the first phase of a promised peace plan. The most essential thing immediately is to save the lives of Palestinians who face ongoing genocide. Any ceasefire must be welcomed – and must be adhered to, so that the necessary humanitarian aid can reach the Palestinian people.
What should come immediately after this first phase?
Now, it is President Trump’s responsibility to ensure that his ally, Israel, does not violate the ceasefire, as he did with previous ones, and that he allows the entry of “full aid” through the United Nations, the Red Crescent and other organizations, as required by the peace plan. We wish President Trump had imposed a lasting ceasefire immediately after taking office – as he tried to do, without succeeding – as many, many lives could have been saved. But the past cannot be undone and we welcome this moment with great hope.
Several analysts argue that, given what has been happening over the last two years, this agreement is not only late but also does not contain essential provisions for the future, such as guarantees that those responsible for crimes committed in the Gaza Strip will be brought to justice. Do you agree?
Yes. The Lemkin Institute argues that for lasting peace to emerge from genocide, there must be justice for the crimes committed. Without a justice mechanism in this case, as in others, it will be difficult to ensure that the necessary changes in the government and society of the perpetrators, in this case Israel, are made to the point where Palestinians trust that the Israeli state will not continue its genocide through other means, such as the displacement process. [forçada] which is in full swing in the West Bank.
There were some fears that the most extremist ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government could block the ceasefire, given their recurring statements about making a future State of Palestine impossible and preventing the war from ending.
The reality is that both the Israeli government and Israeli society are currently deeply imbued with a genocidal ideology towards Palestinians. This must change and justice mechanisms are one of the most powerful forces for this change. President Trump’s peace plan focuses on economic prosperity but avoids the issue of justice.
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Do you believe that this could be considered in the peace plan that will now begin to be negotiated?
Our hope is that future iterations of the peace plan will take very seriously the importance of a justice mechanism for sustainable and lasting peace. Expecting Palestinians in Gaza to forget and move on without justice, when they have lost so much and will have to deal with that loss for generations, is a form of genocide denial indistinguishable from the Western world’s attitude toward the Nakba [expulsão forçada de milhões de palestinianos do seu território em 1948, aquando a criação do Estado de Israel].
Genocide demands that the world listen to the grievances of survivors, legitimize them, and work to repair and heal the harm caused. This is often a painful and much resented process within the perpetrating State and society, but it is absolutely necessary and only external powers can guarantee it. It is up to all of us to ensure that this happens in Israel and Palestine.
Without making a single reference to a future State of Palestine, the peace agreement proposed by Trump last week provides for an “interfaith dialogue process”. Could this be a way?
We welcome the peace plan’s concepts regarding an “interfaith dialogue process” and the establishment of “a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians” about a common and peaceful future. These are very important projects. Ultimately, it is up to Israelis and Palestinians to build a sustainable future together, in which each feels recognized and connected.
How can this be framed in the reality of the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem and in light of the suggested creation of a body led by Trump and Tony Blair that would oversee the Gaza Strip for an indefinite period of time?
The existing power asymmetry will make this very difficult, so structural changes will be necessary for Palestinians to have a voice. Many of the provisions of the peace plan appear to go against the voice of the Palestinians, by granting external factors, including Israel, power over governance, economic development, planning, evaluation of reforms, mobility and security. External factors must exercise similar oversight over Israel, which has chosen the path of mass genocide after October 7, 2023. Furthermore, a good number of Palestinians (more than 30% of the decision-making body) must be present at all decision-making tables, ensuring that reconstruction meets the needs, hopes and desires of the Palestinian people.
Do you believe in the possibility of true dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians under this peace agreement?
Real dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians will require a common factual basis, which can be achieved through trials and other judicial mechanisms. And in that sense, President Trump should support the immediate creation of an independent fact-finding mission in Gaza to document the full extent of Israel’s crimes and should press Israel to allow a similar mission in Israel to document the full extent of the crimes of Hamas, and other groups, on October 7, 2023. The evidence will provide the clarity necessary for any productive dialogue. President Trump should also support the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for similar reasons.
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He has already mentioned that the agreement, in the terms in which it is currently known, fails as it does not provide for accountability for crimes committed in Gaza. What other steps do you consider necessary to achieve lasting peace in the territories?
Overall, my personal opinion is that the peace plan makes the mistake of radically downplaying the ongoing threat that Israel poses to the lives of Palestinians, and we encourage President Trump to consider the implications of Israel’s genocide for the realization of any sustainable peace. Reform of Israel’s security sector, its justice and education systems, its economic development, particularly in the occupied territories, and so on, will be necessary to realize peace. Of course, decreasing the threat of terrorism against Israelis will help, but the peace plan focuses exclusively on Israel’s need for security, to the detriment of Palestinian security.
This is directly linked to the fact that there is no reference to a future State of Palestine in the base document…
Ultimately, putting Israel on the path to recognizing the full humanity and rights of its Palestinian neighbors, including the right to self-determination, will be one of the most important things President Trump can do, and it will require carrots and sticks. Today, Prime Minister Netanyahu, many members of his cabinet, and many Israeli citizens are deeply committed to a plan for Greater Israel that calls for the continued genocide of Palestinians, whether through mass murder or forced displacement.
We welcome President Trump’s public stance against the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. We hope he maintains his position. Israel must also commit to repairing the damage done to Palestinian life since 1948. Such a commitment is in Israel’s interests, since an ethical society is always stronger and safer than one that embraces – and seeks to hide – mass atrocities. However, it is difficult to encourage the perpetrator societies to realize this.
Still, there are people and organizations within Israel committed to peace and a two-state solution. Is this still a possible future?
We know there are voices in Israel who can lead the nation down a safer and more ethical path, and we know there are many, many partners on the Palestinian side who will be willing to help them. Any effective and successful peace plan will ensure that these voices are heard. We sincerely hope that this ceasefire will hold and that this phase will become a path to lasting peace, real justice, and shared prosperity — and joy — for Israelis and Palestinians.
