The Path to Peace Runs Through Tough Choices: Why Hamas, Not Abbas, May Be the Key !

It's time for a long lasting Peace

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the most intractable challenges of our time, but solutions require new thinking. For decades, the world has focused on negotiations through the Palestinian Authority (PA) under Mahmoud Abbas. While well-intentioned, this strategy has reached a dead end. Abbas is now seen as weak, corrupt, and increasingly out of touch with the Palestinian people. To achieve a sustainable peace, the world must recognize an uncomfortable truth: Hamas, not the PA, may be the only Palestinian entity capable of delivering a deal.

A Weak Leadership vs. a Strong Alternative

Mahmoud Abbas’s administration has lost the trust of many Palestinians, with widespread accusations of inefficiency and corruption. At 88 years old, Abbas presides over an increasingly powerless regime. The PA lacks legitimacy, particularly in Gaza, where Hamas has firm control. Negotiating with a leader who cannot deliver widespread compliance or enforce agreements is futile.

Hamas, despite its controversial history, has demonstrated strength and strategic discipline. Their resilience and broad grassroots support among Palestinians position them as a more effective counterpart to the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tough negotiators meet their match in tough counterparts, and Hamas has proven itself capable of negotiating under immense pressure.

The Two-State Solution Is the Only Solution

Critics may balk at the notion of working with Hamas, but the two-state solution remains the only viable path to peace. The alternative is perpetual conflict, which benefits no one. History offers a precedent: Egypt and Israel have maintained a peace treaty for more than 50 years. While the population remains wary of one another, the absence of war and the presence of economic cooperation speak volumes.

A peace treaty between Israel and a Palestinian state would follow a similar trajectory. Initial distrust may persist, but over time, shared interests and coexistence can foster a fragile yet functional acceptance. Only when Palestinians have a state of their own can lasting peace become a reality.

Tough Love: A Role for the World

The international community must step in with a pragmatic and firm approach. Both Israel and Hamas must be held accountable. Hamas would need to formally recognize Israel’s right to exist and commit to nonviolence. Israel, in turn, must halt settlement expansion and guarantee Palestinian sovereignty. These concessions are painful but necessary.

Importantly, the world cannot afford to be naïve. Peace treaties are not about love; they are about coexistence. Look no further than the Egypt-Israel model. Peace can thrive in the absence of mutual affection if the parties agree on clear terms and adhere to them.

Why Hamas Can Deliver?

What sets Hamas apart is their ability to enforce agreements across Palestinian territories. Unlike the fragmented PA under Abbas, Hamas commands authority in Gaza and has the respect of many in the West Bank. This unity is essential for any peace agreement to hold. While their methods are often criticized, their strength may paradoxically make them the most viable partner for peace.

The alternative is grim. Endless negotiations with a powerless PA will only perpetuate the cycle of frustration and violence. Israel cannot afford to keep negotiating with an administration that lacks the strength or support to uphold its commitments.

Conclusion

Peace in the Middle East will not come easily, but it is possible. The establishment of a Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel, is the foundation of a lasting resolution. While Hamas’s history makes this challenging path, their strength and popular support may make them uniquely suited to broker and uphold a peace agreement.

The world must seize this opportunity with clear-eyed determination, recognizing that peace is not about creating love between adversaries but about fostering coexistence. Only then can Israelis and Palestinians look to the future with hope, rather than despair.