Israel must not permanently rule Gaza.

Israel must not permanently conquer and rule Gaza.

It is nearly impossible to fathom, but recent reports (8/5/25) are that the Israeli cabinet is meeting this week to discuss the proposal to "fully conquer" and permanently rule the Gaza strip.  This would be a tragic decision with no possible positive outcome in the short or long term future. 

Human Rights:    Gaza is ungovernable by outside forces both practically and morally.  The 2 million inhabitants of Gaza deserve, at the very least, a non-militarized self-governing sovereign future.  As a simple matter of human rights, there is no argument to justify such an occupation in an area where Israel has no citizenry or industry to protect.  

Zionism:    There is no ideological justification for Israel to be in Gaza.  Gaza is not historically a part of the Land of Israel, either biblically or rabbinically.  The settler movement in the post-1967 war founded the first Israeli settlements in Gaza in 1970, and the entire enterprise was proven to be a terrible and indefensible idea.  The 2005 withdrawal from Gaza under Ariel Sharon was long overdue at the time, and the dismantling of 21 late modern settlements provided for what should have been a defensible border between Gaza and Israel. There is no reason to believe that a return to Gaza settlements, advocated by the same far side of the political spectrum, would have any different outcome this time.

Security:    There is no evidence that an Israeli occupying force would face anything other than permanent guerrilla warfare in Gaza, with a war of attrition slowly adding up the losses over the years.  Additional entry and exit points to maintain the occupation and settlement effort would only make the border more porous, not less.  Every Israeli soldier and citizen moved into the Gaza Strip would be a closer target for the ongoing Hamas hatred to strike at.  

Cost:    The Bank of Israel has projected that war-related costs from 2023 to 2025 could amount to $55.6 billion, representing about 10% of Israel's economy. Other analyses, like one from the RAND Corporation, suggest that the total cost over the next decade could be much higher, potentially reaching $400 billion in lost economic activity due to indirect effects such as reduced investment, slowing productivity growth, and labor market disruptions.  The fiscal irresponsibility of a permanent military rule of Gaza is nearly criminal.

So, if you want to ignore Human Rights, Zionism, Security and Cost, I guess you can think about it.  Any ONE of those reasons would be sufficient not to move ahead with such a disastrous plan.  Israel deserves a better future than a permanent quagmire in Gaza.

Is it time to Recognize a Palestinian State?

Is It Time to Recognize a Palestinian State?

If your vision of a “perfect solution” to the Middle East is an Israel or a Palestine existing “from the river to the sea,” this piece may not engage you. There is little here that will persuade those committed to that maximalist view. However, if you believe in the possibility of eventual peace, where Israel and Palestine coexist side by side with mutually agreed borders—perhaps not in friendship, but at least without ongoing hostilities—then consider that now may be the time to work toward making that vision a reality.

Gaza is devastated. Hamas, which stands for extreme anti-Israel positions, remains entrenched despite its crippled alliances and undeniable terrorism. Supporters of Hamas justify their brutality under the banner of liberation, acknowledging the harsh reality of their actions. Politically, Hamas has rallied anti-Israel forces and expanded their coalition by presenting itself as the sole alternative to what is seen as endless “occupation.”

This growing anti-Israel sentiment often blurs the line between legitimate political critique and anti-Semitism, leading to confusion and manipulation. The controversy surrounding the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, which recently passed committee in New Jersey, illustrates the challenge of distinguishing hate speech from valid criticism without clear leadership separating the two.

Looking ahead to a “day after” Gaza, credible Palestinian leadership beyond Hamas is essential to manage rebuilding and restoring life for Gaza’s two million residents. That leadership, however imperfect, currently exists in the Palestinian Authority (PA) based in Ramallah. While neither the current U.S. administration nor the Netanyahu government in Israel support this, European leaders and the Arab League appear ready to recognize and invest in them. Notably, France’s President Macron recently announced that France will recognize the sovereign State of Palestine at the U.N. this September—without predefined borders—signaling a shift in international willingness to support Palestinian statehood.

Historically, recognition of a Palestinian State has been a litmus test tied closely to Zionist positions. The notion of a two-state solution has been championed mainly by moderates and the political left, with recognition contingent on diplomatic breakthroughs like the Camp David and Oslo Accords. Yet, with Hamas controlling Gaza and the Netanyahu coalition doubling down on military control, these breakthroughs appear out of reach, leaving only misery in their wake.

The current situation demands a new Palestinian power structure that can authentically represent Palestinian aspirations. Israel will never be accepted as sovereign over the Palestinian populations of the West Bank (Yehudah v’Shomron) and Gaza. Calls for complete annexation—such as the 71 Knesset votes in favor yesterday—are deeply problematic and unlikely to bring peace.

Campus movements and the wider Muslim world must be shown an alternative to Hamas. Meanwhile, amid an undeniable humanitarian crisis, the people of Gaza need relief, hope, and a future not dictated by Hamas’s unwavering commitment to Israel's extinction.  If the European Union, Arab League, African Union, and China were to recognize the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, investing and intervening to end hostilities, the political landscape could change fundamentally.

Regarding the current war, only two objectives matter: the return of hostages and an end to the killing. These steps would open the doors to sufficient humanitarian aid and begin the long process of recovery.

The Palestinian Authority has consistently refused to support Hamas or participate in the war against Israel. Their focus remains on a Palestine negotiated within pre-1967 borders, not the maximalist “river to the sea” slogan. They have earned international support as the only viable entity capable of governing and negotiating peace on the ground.

So, hold your nose if you must—but the time may have come to create the tools of statecraft. It may be time to assemble an international coalition of the willing, to end the war, to bring the hostages home, and to save the people of Gaza. Recognizing Palestine alongside Israel could be an essential step toward a peaceful future that ultimately guarantees the safety and security of Israel and its citizens. The moment to act is now.

Macron's leadership is a challenge to the status quo, and the status quo is terrible.