Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has laid out three “prerequisites for peace” in an op-ed published tonight in the Wall Street Journal.
They are to “destroy Hamas, demilitarize Gaza and deradicalize the whole of Palestinian society,” he says.
Notably, the piece makes no mention of the many hostages still being held by terrorists in Gaza, and doesn’t list their return as a prerequisite.
“The US, UK, France, Germany, and many other countries support Israel’s intention to demolish the terror group. To achieve that goal, its military capabilities must be dismantled and its political rule over Gaza must end,” writes the premier.
Second, Israel must also ensure that Gaza is “never again used as a base to attack” Israel.
“Among other things, this will require establishing a temporary security zone on the perimeter of Gaza and an inspection mechanism on the border between Gaza and Egypt that meets Israel’s security needs and prevents smuggling of weapons into the territory,” says Netanyahu.
In light of reported suggestions that the Palestinian Authority administer Gaza post-war, he says the “expectation that the Palestinian Authority will demilitarize Gaza is a pipe dream.”
The PA, he accuses, “currently funds and glorifies terrorism in Judea and Samaria and educates Palestinian children to seek the destruction of Israel.”
Third, he says, “schools must teach children to cherish life rather than death, and imams must cease to preach for the murder of Jews.”
“Palestinian civil society needs to be transformed so that its people support fighting terrorism rather than funding it,” he writes.
“That will likely require courageous and moral leadership,” says Netanyahu, attacking PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who “can’t even bring himself to condemn the Oct. 7 atrocities.”
Netanyahu points to the “successful deradicalization” that took place “in Germany and Japan after the Allied victory in World War II,” and says that “today, both nations are great allies of the US and promote peace, stability and prosperity in Europe and Asia.” He also says that post 9/11, “visionary Arab leaders in the Gulf have led efforts to deradicalize their societies and transform their countries.”
“Once Hamas is destroyed, Gaza is demilitarized and Palestinian society begins a deradicalization process, Gaza can be rebuilt and the prospects of a broader peace in the Middle East will become a reality,” he concludes.
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