In a shift that has fractured the traditional Western consensus on the Middle East, the Trump administration has distanced itself from international efforts to chart a post-war future for Gaza a void now being filled by European and Arab states acting without US leadership.
This divergence was starkly illustrated at a French-Saudi-led United Nations conference in New York this week, where France, the UK, and Canada committed to recognizing a Palestinian state later this year under specific conditions. Absent from the gathering was the United States, which boycotted the meeting entirely.
“The United States will not participate in this insult but will continue to lead real-world efforts to end the fighting,” said US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, who dismissed the international conference as a “publicity stunt.”
But many diplomats argue the real absence is America’s. Once seen as central to peace efforts in the region, the US under Trump now appears to lack a coherent strategy for Gaza’s governance and long-term stability.
In contrast, US allies are increasingly stepping forward. The Tokyo G7 summit in November 2023 saw then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken articulate what became known as the Tokyo Principles, calling for, No forcible displacement of Palestinians, No Israeli re-occupation of Gaza, No siege or blockade, A Palestinian-led future governance, No role for Hamas.
Though largely forgotten, the Tokyo Principles still guide many US allies. European and Arab leaders echoed those ideals this week, calling for urgent aid, international oversight, and the revival of a two-state solution this time, without waiting for US endorsement.
By contrast, President Trump’s only visible plan emerged earlier this year, when he declared that the US would “take over Gaza” and turn it into a “riviera of the Middle East.” The scheme, which involved the forced displacement of Palestinians, was widely condemned as unrealistic and contrary to international law, and was quietly shelved.
Pressed this week for an updated vision for Gaza’s governance, the administration offered no clear roadmap.
“Countries, our partners in the region, are working to implement new ideas the president has asked for,” said Bruce. Asked to elaborate, she replied, “I won’t exactly tell you today.”
Analysts say the Trump administration now appears to mirror Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy. Netanyahu has rejected any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and his far-right coalition is pushing for permanent Israeli military occupation, settlement expansion, and even mass expulsion of Palestinians.
While the US has accelerated arms transfers to Israel since January, European nations have recoiled at the deepening humanitarian crisis.
“We have seen the most horrific scenes,” said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. “The global community is deeply offended by children being shot and killed as they reach out for aid.”
A growing number of Western nations now view starvation in Gaza documented by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) as a tipping point. With mounting deaths, malnutrition, and disease, they are calling for immediate humanitarian intervention and backing the Palestinian Authority as a partner in governance.
The new approach also marks a diplomatic break from decades of Western policy, which had tied recognition of a Palestinian state to the outcome of negotiations with Israel. Now, France, the UK, Canada, and Saudi Arabia long reluctant to take such a step are moving forward regardless.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, continues to focus solely on short-term goals like hostage negotiations and a ceasefire. When President Trump was asked about the longer-term plan during Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, he deferred to the Israeli leader to respond.
In the absence of a US-led diplomatic vision, the burden of brokering a post-conflict framework has fallen to European powers and Gulf states, who plan to reconvene their efforts in September. Without American involvement, their chances are uncertain.
But in the words of one European diplomat, “If we wait for the US to lead, Gaza will burn itself out before the peace even begins.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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