A New Year should be a time for looking ahead and a time for hope. Securing peace and hope requires us to unite to stop the terrible slaughter in the Middle East before this killing drags us all into yet another world war. We can unite by building on the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, or “repairing the world.” Instead of arguing over the causes of the current war in Gaza or of the decades long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, we must redirect our focus to the future and to solutions that, in the long run, meet the security and livelihood needs of all people living in Israel and Palestine.

One long-term vision is of independent Israeli and Palestinian states, existing and collaborating side by side. One can call such a vision naïve and impractical, given the hatred and fear we see on both sides. However, it is more useful to recognize that change occurs through small steps, by building trust. A United Nations trusteeship framework, supported by a UN peace-keeping force, might be just the vehicle for small steps that build trust and lead to sustainable peace, security and well-being for the people of both Israel and Palestine.

The UN Charter (Chapter XII) called for the establishment of “a trusteeship system for the administration and supervision of such territories as may be placed thereunder…” Original Trust Territories had been mandates, territories previously controlled by colonial powers or enemy states in the Second World War. The purposes of the trusteeship were to promote the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the inhabitants of Trust Territories. All 11 territories that were held in trust are now independent or in voluntary association with other states, peacefully. A Trusteeship arrangement for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank could be a framework for building the trust and capabilities needed for Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace.

When the current Israeli-Hamas war is concluded, the United States, other NATO countries, and neighboring Middle East and Gulf countries can together play a critical role in bringing about longer-term peace in the region. This would start with a trusteeship arrangement for Gaza and the West Bank. It would lead to Israeli and viable independent Palestinian states, with viable economies. Peace and stability create the conditions for increasing trust. The US, with its unique relationship with Israel, must play a forceful leadership role in the peacemaking process. Its leading actions should include the following measures:

1. Help negotiate the establishment of a Trusteeship arrangement and a UN Peacekeeping force.

2. Press for dynamic and uncorrupted new leadership for the Palestinian Authority: leadership that is able to establish new governance for Gaza, replacing Hamas and serving as the nucleus of a new Palestinian State.

3. As a precondition for unconditional future US support, leadership in Israel must commit to halting further illegal Israeli settlements and halting the arming of settlers in the West Bank (where the Palestinian State would be located).

4. Officially recognize the new Palestinian State in Gaza and the West Bank, under Trusteeship arrangements, as early as possible.

5. Urge Saudi Arabia and other Arab Middle East countries to recognize the new Palestinian State and to endorse Israel under the Abraham Accord terms worked out with Israel in 2020.

6. Urge Israel to end its 17-year siege of Gaza, which has prevented Palestinian travel abroad, limited development of a fishing industry, blocked exports, and constrained imports of food, consumer necessities and construction materials.

7. Ensure that the UN Relief and Works Agency, with over 13,000 workers, can provide funding for the emergency food, health and education-related services in Gaza. Request the UN to help the new Palestinian state plan its relief, rehabilitation and longer-term reconstruction strategy and help secure required funding. Programs must be designed to repair hope and opportunity for Palestinians, so they have the means for peaceful self-sufficiency and self-governance.

8. In time, submit the new Palestinian State to the UN for approval as a new UN Member State and end of trusteeship status.

A strengthened Palestinian Authority, with capable, honest and constructive new local leadership, cannot develop without the support and engagement of the UN, NATO and neighboring Middle East countries. However, a Palestinian Authority, motivated by hope not desperation, could help to provide Israel with confidence that a peace agreement with the Palestinian State is credible and is the best way to achieve a sustainable peace.

Arthur Holcombe was resident representative of the United Nations Development Program and resident coordinator of UN Operational Activities in China (1992-1998). From 2011 to 2015, he headed a US program working to strengthen economic opportunity for Palestinian women in Gaza.