Jim Mattis' Gaza Proposal

Yesterday, I attended a virtual Hoover Institution presentation by Jim Mattis, former Secretary of Defense, Trump (1). IIn the Q and A I asked Mattis about Trump DOD claimed recruitment and DEI eradication successes. Mattis replied: Recruitment. "Recruitment improvements had started before Trump came into office." DEI: "It's a minor issue and can be fixed. We really should be talking about the foreign policy challenges around the world which are nearing a boiling point."

For me, the real meat of Mattis' remarks was on Gaza. Mattis outlined a very interesting Gaza proposal that I hadn't heard before. We all know about Trump's suggestion that Gaza be turned into an ersatz St. Tropez. But Mattis advocates a two-state solution. Gaza and West Bank combined into a new independent Palestine. The two sections connected by a secure overhead railway. Hamas gone... out of the picture. Palestine prevented from arming, but for the foreseeable future, at least the next ten years, peace and order secured by a pan Arab, heavily armed police force. When law and order restored, investment, mostly by Arab countries can begin. The Palestinians are a very entrepreneurial people. They will succeed under these circumstances according to Mattis. For foreseeable future, King of Jordan has "board of directors-like" oversight over the new country. In the words of Henry Gibson, "Very interesting." I think the Mattis' proposal (he's the only source where I have heard this idea) has to be on the table.