Ami Ayalon, a former Shin Bet chief told the Guardian that Israel won't be truly secure until the Palestinians have their own state.
The Issue with Hamas
Ayalon explained that trying to destroy Hamas, a group in Gaza, through military force is not realistic. He said that Hamas is not just a militia, but an ideology with an organization. You can't get rid of an ideology by using guns. In fact, Ayalon believes that the current war in Gaza might make more people support Hamas. Before the war, less than 50% of Palestinians supported Hamas, but now it's around 75%.
The Palestinians' Perspective
Ayalon also mentioned that the Palestinians feel like they have nothing to lose. If someone believes they have nothing to lose, it's hard to stop them from doing something. He thinks that most Israelis see all Palestinians as Hamas or supporters of Hamas. They don't recognize the Palestinians as a separate people, which causes problems.
The Importance of Marwan Barghouti
Ayalon believes that releasing Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian leader who has been in prison since 2002, would be a crucial step towards meaningful negotiations. Barghouti is seen as the only leader who can guide the Palestinians towards having their own state. He supports the idea of two states living side by side, and his time in prison has given him legitimacy among the Palestinians.
The Absence of a Palestinian State
Ayalon explained that the lack of progress in establishing a Palestinian state has made the situation dangerous for both Israelis and Palestinians. The Fatah movement, which used to be against violence, has lost credibility because diplomatic efforts have repeatedly failed. Ayalon emphasized the importance of finding a solution that benefits both sides.
Normalization and Hamas
Ayalon mentioned that attempts at normalization, where people try to make things more peaceful, have actually led to more conflict. He believes that one of the reasons Hamas launched an attack was to show the world that the Palestinian issue needs to be addressed. Ayalon thinks that everyone, from Israel's enemies to its allies, agrees that a two-state solution is necessary.
So, according to Ami Ayalon, Israel's security depends on the Palestinians having their own state.
Source: The Guardian
