Without significant cooperation from the rest of the Arab world, new Israeli leadership, open-minded Western representatives and a robust, not failed, Palestinian leadership, peace in the Middle East will continue to be a false hope (“100 Days of War,” Jan. 18). Palestinian state, possibly including Gaza and a redrawn, more easily defensible West Bank border with Israel, has to be part of this multi-pronged discussion. Negotiations are essential. The time for bear hugs, stubborn living in the past and belligerence on all sides is over.
Anyone who still thinks that the possibility of a peace agreement with Hamas exists, is living in an alternate universe. You can’t negotiate with antisemitic barbarians.
That the Oct. 7 atrocities—launched from territory that was an independent Palestinian state in all but name ruled by Hamas—demonstrated exactly why the overwhelming majority of Israelis will never consider giving up security control of Gaza, or Judea and Samaria, for the foreseeable future.