In a recent interview with ABC, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would handle security in the Gaza Strip for an “indefinite” period of time. With his minister of foreign affairs, Eli Cohen, insisting that Israel has no intention of governing the strip, Bibi’s comments suggest a prolonged but not permanent military occupation. His justification is simple: “We see what happens when we leave.” There is merit to Bibi’s claims; should Israel withdraw before Hamas is forever prevented from reorganizing, this invasion would have been for nothing. At the same time, “indefinite” occupation would seem the most irresponsible option available as it would generate only more resentment against Israel from all corners. This is precisely why the United States should let Bibi try to stay. Indeed, doing so may be the best way to push Israel to the negotiating table and finally bring about a two-state solution.
Ridding the Gaza Strip of Hamas is the most auspicious omen for a two-state solution since the collapse of the Oslo Accords. At nearly every peace conference since Hamas put the final nail in Oslo, the group has ratcheted up attacks. In 2006, when it won elections in Gaza, the group refused to recognize Israel, further delaying any hope for reconciliation between the Israelis and Palestinians. Since then, the organization has followed a predictable pattern of attacking Israel, eliciting a harsh response, and then basking in the public outrage it consciously instigated. As one analyst put it nicely: “Talk of a Marshall Plan for Gaza has never been credible because international donors and investors know that whatever is built is likely to be destroyed the next time Hamas decides to trigger a new conflict with the Israelis.” The October 7 attack is only the latest testimony and confirmation that Hamas is ideologically committed to Israel’s destruction and, in turn, a two-state solution. Its removal, then, is a necessary if insufficient condition to revive such a solution.
The Palestinian Authority seems to realize this. Within a week of October 7, the aged Mahmoud Abbas said, “Hamas’s policies and action do not represent the Palestinian people.” He later recanted, but the fact he said this publicly is significant. Moreover, the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) has signaled that it may be interested in governing Gaza after Hamas is destroyed should the United States commit to and pressure Israel to be an honest partner in a two-state solution. But for American policymakers to make this dream a reality, they must proceed carefully. What is most needed now is time. They should quietly allow Israel to occupy the Gaza Strip for a prolonged period of no more than a year, during which time they should be working with Arab rulers to bring Israel to the negotiating table.
This extended period could allow the other crucial conditions to materialize.
Continue reading at The National Interest here.
Max J. Prowant is a researcher with the Institute on Religion and Democracy. He is also a Ph.D. Candidate in Government at the University of Texas at Austin.
Comment by David on November 14, 2023 at 3:51 pm
There was never any interest in having two states. Ben-Gurion stated early on his intention to take over all of Palestine. The surrounding Arab states annexed the Palestinian land when they had a chance. Violent West Bank settlers attack Palestinians and cut down their olive groves. The best solution would be a one-state solution with Palestinians having full rights, property and otherwise, and citizenship. Israel would never agree to this as it would endanger a Jewish majority in the area. It is a hopeless situation.
Comment by Tim Ware on November 15, 2023 at 8:32 am
Since 1948 the Israelis have consisently worked to prevent a two-state solution.
The entire situation is the result of British Christians, who were duped into believing they were doing the will of God by establishing a Jewish nation in Palestine, and British commercial interests, who wanted influence in Palestine for trade and empire support.
The Jews and Arabs were basically innocent pawns thrown into the middle of this British-created situation, and they are the ones who ended up suffering and have been suffering for over 70 years.
It is time to rectify the mistakes the British made in the early 20th century. The United States no longer has the influence or leadership to effect this, but there are signs that countries around the world are waking up to the reality of the situation, and eventually the situation will be rectified.
Comment by David on November 15, 2023 at 9:27 am
“A Jew settled in Palestine was a Jew not knocking on Britain’s doors. We would do well to remember that the first modern British statesman to clamp down on Jewish immigration, imposing the Aliens Act of 1905, was none other than Lord Balfour himself.”
Comment by George on November 18, 2023 at 4:16 pm
No doubt the Brits did what they thought was in the best interest of Britain. But! They had only three decades, that along with the League of Nations mandate given to them. Before that, the population of Palestine was governed for three hundred years by the heavy handed Turks. The only thing they had in common were their Islamic religion and their seething hatred of Jews. Take a look around our own country. The Palestinians who emigrated here have been given freedoms and the chance to surpass anything they might have gained by staying in the Middle East. Still, all they can do is take to the streets and hate on the Jews when they should be on their knees thanking God that there was a United States who took them in.
Comment by Wayne on November 21, 2023 at 3:50 pm
First…the land belongs to the descendants of Abraham, Issac and Jacob (Spoiler – it’s in the Bible). There is NO SUCH land as palestine. There has never been a palestine.
Second…God will NOT ALLOW a two state solution. There are only two exiles mentioned in the Bible and both have already occurred. God has placed the Jewish people back into the land that he gave them. God will not allow his land to be divided again. Any religious group or nation that attempts to divide this land will lose.
Comment by Tim Ware on November 21, 2023 at 6:26 pm
Just because someone’s religion is Judaism, or just because someone identifies with Jewish ethnicity does not mean they are a blood descendant of Abraham. After thousands of years, who knows who the blood descendants of Abraham are? Hamas may contain more blood descendants of Abraham than Israel. Who knows?
Comment by Wayne on November 21, 2023 at 8:01 pm
Tim, God knows. God also knows where all twelve tribes are. In the new Jerusalem there are twelve gates with the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel inscribed. And the wall of the city are twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles inscribed. That’s 24 Jewish names. God does not break HIS one way covenant with the Jewish people.
Comment by Tim Ware on November 22, 2023 at 9:36 pm
There are many possible interpretations of selected passages of biblical prophecy. It is up to each individual to decide which one they will accept.
Whichever interpretation you choose to accept, though, it is important not to fall into the trap of assuming that the state of Israel that exists today is the one that particular interpretation refers to. Just because a group of people who refer to themselves as Jews are in power in a country that exists where the Old Testament narrative took place does not necessarily mean that God is fulfilling prophecy through them. Nor does it necessarily mean that God is working through them. Nor does it necessarily mean that God is pleased with them.
Comment by John N Kenyon on November 25, 2023 at 1:35 pm
The historical/ theology questions that arouse such articles and such anemic replies (no wonder the UMC is fragmenting and in a death rattle) go to the ethic of jihad (read your bibles) applied to Hamas backed by Iran attempting to unite Sunnis and Shi’ite to wipe the state of Israel off the map or the state of Israel destroying Hamas in order to live in peace. This is, of course, part ‘n parcel to who will rule the world. Uncontested Christian theology asserts Jesus Christ is the man appointed to rule planet Earth (a silly myth?). Let Abraham and Jonah make their case in the throne room of heaven. As for me and my house, may Israel totally destroy Hamas. The rest gets spit as lukewarm.