September 4, 2025
In recent months, countries like France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and, most recently, Belgium, have moved toward recognizing Palestinian statehood — even as Israel is still at war with Hamas after the October 7 massacre that killed 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages.
On the surface, recognition may appear to be a bold diplomatic gesture aimed at jump-starting a two-state solution and placing political pressure on Israel. In reality, it risks rewarding terrorism, deepening instability, and delaying the hard work that real peace demands.
Here’s the reality check: four reasons why premature recognition won’t work — paired with four actions that actually can move peace forward.
Don’t Reward Hamas During an Active War
Why it’s wrong: Hamas remains in control of the Gaza Strip, continues to hold 48 hostages, and refuses to stop launching attacks. Recognizing a Palestinian state now sends a dangerous message — that political gains can be achieved through mass violence. It strengthens extremists at the very moment they should be losing legitimacy. This is not just a threat to Israel, but to almost every country across the Middle East.
Do first: Dismantle Hamas’ power and influence. No peace can last while Hamas controls Gaza, commits war crimes by holding hostages, and openly vows to repeat October 7 “again and again.” Removing its military capabilities and leadership is essential for Palestinians to build a future free from extremist rule.
Case in point: After Hamas violently seized Gaza from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, rocket fire into Israeli towns and cities skyrocketed — from sporadic attacks to thousands per year. Every attempt to “work around” Hamas has ended the same way: the group exploits lulls in fighting to rearm and rebuild. After 2014’s Operation Protective Edge, Hamas smuggled in Iranian rockets and expanded its network of attack tunnels. Following Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021, reconstruction efforts, which poured billions of dollars in Qatari and international aid into Gaza, were hijacked to import weapons, manufacture rockets, and fortify underground tunnels and bunkers, all to prepare for the next massacre, culminating in the atrocities of October 7.
2) Don’t Ignore the Realities on the Ground
Why it’s wrong: The Palestinian territories are divided. The Palestinian Authority governs parts of the West Bank, while Hamas rules Gaza. The PA was violently ousted from Gaza in 2007, and multiple reconciliation attempts have failed. Recognition of a “state” without unified governance, functioning institutions, or even a shared security apparatus would create a fractured, unstable entity from day one. Premature recognition also removes leverage for badly needed reform: the PA remains plagued by corruption, pays stipends to convicted terrorists (“pay-for-slay”), and tolerates official incitement — all of which erode Israeli trust and cripple prospects for coexistence.
Do instead: Support real Palestinian political and institutional reform alongside enforceable security guarantees. That means rooting out corruption, ending terror payments, halting incitement, and creating transparent, accountable institutions capable of governing for peace. Any durable agreement must also address Israel’s legitimate security needs — ensuring demilitarization, preventing rocket attacks, and stopping cross-border raids so both peoples can live without fear.
Case in point: The 2011 and 2017 “unity government” attempts by Hamas and Fatah collapsed within months because Hamas refused to hand over security control. The result: two parallel governments, no elections since 2006, and a political vacuum exploited by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other militant factions. Likewise, Israel’s 2005 withdrawal from Gaza without enforceable security measures enabled Hamas’s takeover and years of rocket fire — a cautionary tale against repeating past mistakes.
3) Don’t Undermine Existing Israeli-Palestinian Agreements
Why it’s wrong: The Oslo Accords, signed in 1993 by both Israelis and Palestinians, committed both sides to resolving final status issues — including statehood — through direct negotiations. Sidestepping that process erodes trust, undermines the framework that has delivered progress in the past, and signals that agreements can simply be ignored.
Do instead: Return to direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Every successful peace agreement in the region — from Israel’s peace with Egypt and Jordan to the Abraham Accords — has been achieved through direct talks between the parties. Only Israelis and Palestinians can settle borders, security arrangements, and final status issues in a way that both sides accept.
Case in point: Israel and Egypt signed their historic 1979 peace deal only after a year of intense direct talks at Camp David. There was no shortcut, and today, that peace remains intact despite decades of regional upheaval.
4) Don’t Chase Symbolism Over Substance
Why it’s wrong: While recognizing Palestinian statehood may generate headlines, it won’t deliver lasting stability or improve daily life for Israelis or Palestinians, especially during an active war where the Hamas terror group still controls parts of the Gaza Strip.
Do instead: Build broad regional and international support for a better future for Arab-Israeli relations. Arab and Western nations should collaborate to offer political, economic, and security incentives that encourage compromise. Strengthening Israel’s normalization agreements with Arab states can provide both a model and momentum for a negotiated peace.
Case in point: The Abraham Accords showed that regional cooperation can transform relationships. By linking normalization to concrete economic and security benefits, Israel and its Arab partners created incentives that endure — something symbolic recognition alone could never achieve.
