US, Arab allies reportedly set to propose Palestinian statehood plan within weeks

Israel bans UN rapporteur, looks to boot UNRWA from buildings on state lands

Visa ban comes after Francesca Albanese denies Oct. 7 terrorists were motivated by hatred for Jews, blames ‘Israel’s oppression’; refugee agency head rejects calls to step down

By TOI STAFF and AGENCIES12 February 2024, 11:53 pm

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UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese addresses the UN, October 2022. (Screenshot/ YouTube, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Israel officially banned the UN’s special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza and moved to evict the UN agency for Palestinian refugees from offices on state-owned land, stepping up a campaign against elements of the world body it alleges are sympathetic to Hamas.

Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese had already been refused entry into Israel for months, but on Monday was officially banned, the Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry announced.

And: US, Arab allies reportedly set to propose Palestinian statehood plan within weeks

By TOI STAFF

Blueprint, including ‘firm timeline,’ tied to reaching a pause in Gaza fighting, according to Washington Post; right-wing ministers reject premise, citing October 7

The US and several Arab partners are preparing a detailed plan for a comprehensive peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians that includes a “firm timeline” for a Palestinian state, according to a report Thursday, sparking immediate denunciations from senior members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet.

According to the Washington Post report, citing US and Arab officials, an announcement on the blueprint could come in the next few weeks, though the timing is largely dependent on Israel and Hamas being able to reach a deal pausing the fighting in Gaza.

The proposed plan includes steps that Israel has previously refused, including the evacuation of many West Bank settlements, a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem and a combined security apparatus and government for the West Bank and Gaza.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-arab-allies-reportedly-set-to-propose-palestinian-statehood-plan-within-weeks/