European leaders have backed a 'realistic' Arab plan for Gaza, which calls for temporary governance by a committee of independent experts and the deployment of international peacekeepers. The plan was presented by Egypt at an emergency Arab League summit and was welcomed by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. However, the White House and Israeli foreign ministry criticized the proposal for failing to address the realities in Gaza. The four European countries issued a statement expressing their commitment to working with the Arab initiative and supporting the central role of the Palestinian Authority.