Diplomats from around the world attend special Knesset discussion, ‘Gaza: Vision for the Day After The War’

Dozens of international diplomats gathered at Israel’s Knesset in Jerusalem on Wednesday to deliberate post-war strategies for the future of the Gaza Strip.

The event, "Gaza: Vision for the Day After the War," was hosted and led by Member of Knesset Danny Danon, a prominent member of the Likud party and Israel's former ambassador to the UN, along with his colleague Ram Ben Barak, a senior figure in the government opposition, a member of the Yesh Atid party and former the deputy director of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. 

The international roundtable gathered to discuss different perspectives, ideas and insights from the global community regarding the path forward after Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza ends.

The roundtable discussion included embassy representatives from Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Denmark, India, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, Brazil, Rwanda, Zambia, South Sudan, Lithuania, Latvia, and Kosovo among others – representing every continent.

Danon and Ben Barak made opening statements, followed by comments from the ambassadors of the various nations. 

“October 7th changed everything in Israel,” Danon said. “Political barriers disappeared. The political left and the political right became irrelevant. This is because the people of Israel know that we are fighting a war for our very existence.” 

Before sharing a 5-point plan, which he said should be acceptable to most Israelis and their leaders, Danon told the ambassadors: “We know that past ideas have proven to be mistakes. We are now looking for new, out-of-the-box ideas to achieve complete victory against terror and to maintain peace in the long term.” 

Danon specifically stated that Israel is demanding the return of the 133 hostages still in Gaza. “Nothing will happen before we bring them back home, all of them.” 

The former ambassador to the UN also said that Israel realizes “that we will need partners for the day after…we will need partners from the moderate Arab nations.” 

Ben Barak said: “The current situation in Israel and the Middle East presents a pivotal moment, offering the potential for significant transformation in the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians. 'The Day After Solution' should center around the principle that Gaza rightfully belongs to its residents.” 

He also called out Iran’s influence in the conflict, noting that curbing Iran’s influence is critical “to establish a peaceful and prosperous coexistence between the Palestinians and the Israelis.” 

Danon’s 5-point plan calls for: 

1. The demilitarization of Gaza 

2. A security zone along the fence, with a buffer zone only for security personnel 

3. An Israeli security presence at the Rafah border crossing to conduct inspections 

4. A plan to allow for voluntary emigration by Gazans who wish to move to other countries that are willing to receive them 

5. The ideological reconstruction of Gaza alongside the physical reconstruction 

The discussion was animated, with insightful ideas from the attendees. Most of the ambassadors condemned the Hamas atrocities and called for the release of the hostages still being held in Gaza.