Former U.S. ambassador Dan Shapiro: ‘Trump’s Gaza plan is not serious and it’s not going to happen’
Feb 23, 2025
auto_awesome
Dan Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, shares his firsthand experiences during the turmoil following the October 7 attacks. He emphasizes that any post-war settlement for Gaza must involve the removal of Hamas. Shapiro reflects on the emotional strains faced by U.S. officials during this crisis and critiques Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, labeling it unrealistic and unlikely. He provides insights into the complexities of hostage negotiations and the broader implications for U.S.-Israel relations amid ongoing regional conflicts.
Dan Shapiro emphasizes that the long-term solution for Gaza lies in the removal of Hamas from power, highlighting the critical nature of this condition.
Shapiro critiques Trump's proposed plan for Gaza as unrealistic and warns against misplaced optimism regarding its implementation and impacts.
Deep dives
Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release Progress
The ongoing ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas has shown remarkable progress, despite challenges and predictions to the contrary. With the recent promise to release six additional hostages and the return of deceased individuals, this 42-day phase is nearing completion. Concurrently, Israel has agreed to allow humanitarian aid, including essential construction materials into Gaza, in exchange for these releases. The remaining fate of the Israeli hostages significantly depends on the continuation and future phases of this deal.
Dan Shapiro's Insights on U.S. Government Dynamics
Dan Shapiro provides a candid analysis of the current U.S. political climate, highlighting concerns over governmental operations under the Trump administration. He notes the chaotic nature of decision-making processes and the risks posed to public service and lives due to actions lacking legal authority. Shapiro emphasizes a perceived corruption, illustrated by high-profile individuals entwined with governmental roles that potentially serve personal interests over public good. This unprecedented intertwining of business and government raises alarm about the future of democracy and sound governance.
The Challenge of Demilitarizing Hamas
Shapiro addresses Israel's pivotal demand for Hamas to demilitarize before any post-conflict arrangements can proceed, asserting that no Israeli leadership will accept a governing power posing a future threat. He acknowledges the complexity of achieving this alongside timely hostage releases, recognizing that time and urgency are critical. His stance leans towards prioritizing the unveiling and safe return of all hostages while exploring diplomatic pathways alongside military options for Hamas's removal. This nuanced approach reflects the intricate realities facing negotiators in the coming phases of the conflict.
Implications of Trump's Gaza Riviera Plan
The so-called Gaza Riviera plan proposed by Trump has sparked debate around its feasibility and potential effects on regional politics. While it may compel Arab states to formulate a more cohesive plan for reconstruction and governance in Gaza, it remains a largely unrealistic proposition due to entrenched political narratives and historical contexts surrounding the Palestinian population. Shapiro critiques the plan's lack of seriousness, noting its underdevelopment and absence of practical implementation strategies. He posits that fostering regional cooperation could yield more effective solutions than unilateral actions suggested by Trump's administration.
Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and a key architect of the cease-fire-for-hostages deal underway between Israel and Hamas, said on the Haaretz Podcast that the "ultimate condition" of any post-war settlement for Gaza must be the removal of Hamas from power.
Shapiro, speaking to host Allison Kaplan Sommer on the week Israel received the bodies of the murdered Bibas family, said the "terrible and heartbreaking" event revived memories of the days following October 7, when "there were many, many people in the U.S. administration who, in addition to doing the focused, hard work of trying to figure out what the right policies were and prepare for the military and the diplomatic decisions, also had to stop in the middle of the day sometimes and just weep a bit because the brutality was so profound."
Discussing President Donald Trump's plan to empty the Gaza Strip of its Palestinian residents, Shapiro advised those welcoming the plan not to get their hopes up. "I can understand the appeal of it to some Israelis who might say, 'well, yeah, it might make our problem of 2 million Palestinians disappear and make the United States own this problem so we don't have to worry about it,' he said, "but that doesn't make it any more serious. It's not going to happen."