What they say
The BBC
“Donald Trump has proclaimed that his Gaza deal, as it stands, will end generations of conflict between Arabs and Jews over the land between the river Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea,” writes Jeremy Bowen. “He insists, too, that it will lead to a broader peace across the Middle East. If he really believes that the job of making peace is done, then he is deluding himself. Just trying needs sustained focus, hard diplomatic work and a decision by the two sides in the fight that the time has come to make painful sacrifices and compromises.”
The Times
“Many criticisms can be made of Trump over Gaza: that he could have done this sooner; that he emboldened Netanyahu to intensify the war before finally reining him in; that the latest effort to seek a deal only gained traction after Israel overreached by firing missiles into Qatar, a key US ally,” writes William Hague. “But it is also true that he has forced through the first stage of his plan by sheer personal will and the use of American power; and that the scenes of released hostages and aid heading into Gaza would not be happening without that. In a year with all too many foreign policy errors by Washington, this is a major achievement.”
The Independent
“For now, what Trump has achieved — albeit with some luck, and a certain war-weariness among the combatants — is reason enough for him to enjoy thanks and praise. But it would be a surprise if there were no disappointments, setbacks or violence in the months and years ahead. An impatient man, Trump will have to accept that his peacemaking work will not be done for some time to come. Maybe then, the superlatives will sound a little more convincing.”
What we say
“Over all this celebration there presides the large, triumphal figure of Donald Trump,” writes Melanie McDonagh. “He came down from the presidential plane in Israel holding his fist aloft in a gesture of triumph. And you know what? He deserves it. He deserves his ovation from the Israeli parliament, too. Because it’s true what they say: without him, there would have been no deal. You don’t have to agree with all his political programme — and lots of us will have issues with parts of it — to give credit where it’s due: he set out to be a peacemaker, and he has succeeded. Well done, Donald Trump. And for those who can’t quite forgive him for winning the presidential election, ask yourselves this: how likely is it that Kamala Harris would have pulled off this deal, that it would have been her coming down from that plane with that gesture of triumph? Unlikely, I’d say. This is the beginning of the beginning of a peace but it’s still a great day.”
