Trump, Netanyahu discuss Gaza ceasefire and Palestinian relocation at White House - 8 Jul 2025
The international community cannot legitimize Netanyahu while his record of war crimes remains unaccounted for.
By: Jawdat Manna
Lead:
For decades, the quest for peace in the Middle East has been undermined by leaders who view justice as an obstacle rather than a prerequisite. Today, the demand for a credible peace process requires one simple principle: those accused of war crimes cannot be partners in forging the future. Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government has presided over atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank, must be excluded from any peace negotiations — not rewarded with a seat at the table.
A Question of Justice, Not Politics
Excluding Netanyahu is not a political gesture; it is a humanitarian, judicial, and security imperative. History offers instructive precedents. The world did not invite Adolf Hitler or Slobodan Milosevic into peace talks; it pursued them as perpetrators of crimes that shattered the international order. To offer Netanyahu legitimacy is to grant impunity to a man whose policies have inflicted widespread civilian suffering and undermined the very principles on which a rules-based international system stands.
Whitewashing a Record of Atrocities
Netanyahu’s proposed “peace plan” is not a blueprint for reconciliation. It is an effort to launder his reputation and secure a place in the international community as a legitimate statesman. No plan devised by the architect of ongoing occupation and collective punishment can be trusted to deliver genuine peace. Granting him diplomatic recognition would not integrate him into the civilized world; it would stain the credibility of those who accept his terms.
The Failure of Coercive Diplomacy
The history of the Palestinian struggle demonstrates that the diplomacy of coercion has failed — and will continue to fail. The voices of the victims — the voices of “sacrifice and courage” — cannot be silenced by military might or diplomatic maneuvering. Lasting peace cannot be built on the subjugation of an entire people or the impunity of leaders who ordered devastating campaigns against civilians.
Trump’s Political Calculations
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sought to disrupt the global wave of solidarity with Palestine — not out of principle but to protect his political prospects. Having once positioned himself as a “deal-maker” with Arab and Muslim leaders in the White House, Trump ultimately aligned with Netanyahu to promote a new-era colonial project that betrays the very notion of a just peace and undermines international law.
Peace Built on Accountability
There can be no genuine peace while those responsible for war, atrocities, and impunity remain at the negotiating table. True reconciliation requires accountability, not amnesty. Far from obstructing peace, bringing perpetrators to justice is the only path to building a durable and legitimate peace in the region.
The world must learn from history: peace without justice is neither stable nor honorable. Excluding Netanyahu and his far-right allies from any peace process is not only a moral necessity but a practical step toward ending decades of conflict.
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