Topics: Trump’s proposed ceasefire plan, Palestinian recognition

E&OE.......................

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TONY MOCLAIR: It's a Tuesday morning. It is nine to 10:00. Uh, I just want to move on because, uh, the horrific conflict in Gaza, and I guess we should manage our expectations here. But there could be a glimmer of hope because the US, albeit through Donald Trump, says it has arrived at a peace plan. Now it's a 20-point plan. Uh, Israel has agreed to it essentially. The next stage is where the Hamas will agree. It's yet to respond. Having said that, it wasn't formally given to Hamas. It was, it was given to them by, uh, uh, Qatar and one of the other nations there. So, uh, it's almost third-hand. But there will be a response at some stage. And next Tuesday, of course, is the two-year anniversary of the 2023 October 7 attack that started this, this latest wave. Now imagine if you can get a resolution by then. I mean, just a resolution at any stage. Joining us on the line now is Dave Sharma, a Liberal Party senator for New South Wales and Australia's Ambassador to Israel between 2013 and 2017. Good morning, Dave.

DAVE SHARMA: Good morning, Tony. Great to join you.

TONY MOCLAIR: Well, what, what's your gut feel? When you first heard of this and you saw the 20-point plan, with a lot of points that you need to agree on, what was your initial response?

DAVE SHARMA: Look, I think this is the most comprehensive and prospective peace agreement that's been put forward. I mean, bear in mind up until this point, there had been negotiations and discussions and agreements for limited ceasefires, limited cessations of hostilities. This is the only comprehensive plan that's been put forward. And, you know, it's got Israel's agreement. The Arab world is on board. Donald Trump had a long meeting with Arab leaders in New York at, at the UN last week. So, you know, all the major external parties are on board. And I think it lays out a future that would allow the hostages to be returned, allow the fighting to stop, allow humanitarian aid to get back into Gaza and the, the suffering of the civilian population to ease there. And it would set the stage for, you know, a normal peaceful existence in Gaza again, and eventually, a two-state solution. So I think it's a good plan. I think that Australia, we should be getting behind it. Yes, it still faces some hurdles. Yes, Hamas needs to agree to it. But I think it's, you know, it's the only game in town, and it's the best game in town right now.

TONY MOCLAIR: Well, would the Palestinians say that given they consider Tony Blair, who's also an architect of this and would be overseeing this, this body, they regard him as a war criminal?

DAVE SHARMA: Look, I don't think that's right. Look, Tony Blair was the Quartet's special envoy from about 2007 to 2015. I dealt with him when I was there as the ambassador. He was trusted on the Palestinian side. He was liked and well-regarded. He was also trusted on the Israeli side, and someone with his stature and his level of relationships could play an important role. Now I don't think he's gonna be the only figure of importance, and clearly, the interim governance authority in Gaza that comes about will need to have, you know, a Palestinian, significant Palestinian component, and there needs to be a role for the Palestinian Authority. It won't just be, you know, Tony Blair as pro-consul. But I think as a representative of the international community, he could play an important role.

TONY MOCLAIR: What, why is there a reluctance to embrace him, though, as a leader, if you like, around this region, as reported by… I was watching CNN and Fox News America today.

DAVE SHARMA: Well, look, I mean, I think every, every leader, you know, carries some baggage and carries some history. And that's part of having been in public office a long time. But if I think who would be, there's not a lot of people, I think, who could be better placed to fulfill this role. Someone with deep knowledge and experience in the region, someone with deep relationships across the Middle East, not just with Israel, and someone who's a trusted, you know, interlocutor. But as I said, I mean, I think if we think this is about whether Tony Blair succeeds or fails, we'd be looking at the wrong metric. He would be an important figure, but as I said, it's not gonna be Tony Blair's administration in Gaza. It's gonna be a Palestinian administration in Gaza, and that's how it should be.

TONY MOCLAIR: Always appreciate your insights, Dave.

DAVE SHARMA: Thanks so much, Tony.

TONY MOCLAIR: No, thank you. Dave Sharma joining us there, Liberal Party senator for New South Wales and, Australia's Ambassador, as I said, to Israel between 2013 and 2017. Look, the one point that I think everyone will agree on is peace. And whether they can achieve that remains to be seen.

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