Lapid calls for regional commission based in Riyadh to hammer out Lebanon, Gaza and Saudi deals

Opposition leader Yair Lapid calls for a regional commission based in Riyadh to hammer out arrangements for the future of Lebanon and Gaza, and normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Speaking at the Mitvim Institute’s Strategies of Hope conference in Tel Aviv, Lapid says the current government “is extending the war needlessly, because of the prime minister’s political problems, and the fantasies of annexation and the return to Gaza from the messianic wing.”

He envisions a grand diplomatic vision that begins with a release of all hostages in Gaza, and a six-month halt to fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. Israel would state clearly that it has no intention of resettling Gaza or remaining in southern Lebanon, but has the right to operate over its borders. In the six-month period, an Emirati-Egyptian-Moroccan-PA force will enter Gaza and take over the distribution of humanitarian aid and rebuilding.

Within a month, says Lapid, Saudi Arabia will host a conference with Israel, the US, Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, Lebanon and the PA.

A five-part deal will come out of the conference, envisions Lapid:

1) An arrangement will be put in place in Lebanon in which Hezbollah retreats 9-10 kilometers from the border, while the Lebanese Armed Forces backed by the US and France moves into southern Lebanon. A new LAF force with higher salaries trained by the UK and France will be built to secure southern Lebanon.

2) In Gaza, a body made up of the Saudis, Americans, Emiratis will oversee civil management, along with a symbolic representation from the Palestinian Authority. The PA will not be able to access funds or choose officials in the body.

3) A regional coalition will be formed to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and from achieving regional hegemony through its armed proxy network.

4) Economic and diplomatic ties with the Abraham Accords countries and Saudi Arabia will be deepened, based on the Negev Forum model of professional committees for specific topics.

5) A declaration will be made that the participants will work for a separation between Israel and the Palestinians, pending reforms in the PA. Israel will commit to refraining from the annexation of the West Bank, while the PA will commit to fighting terrorism and incitement.

Lapid calls the election of Donald Trump in the US “an opportunity for Israel. This is an administration that is not afraid of grand initiatives.” The remark appears to be a shot at the Biden administration, which Lapid has rarely criticized over the past four years.