Netanyahu and the Palestinians

In an interview with the Washington Post published February 28, Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu offers some insight into his strategy for Israel's future relations with the Palestinians. Netanyahu, when asked by interviewer Lally Weymouth about his belief in a two-state solution, gave this revealing answer: "Substantively, I think there is broad agreement inside Israel and outside that the Palestinians should have the ability to govern their lives but not to threaten ours."

The phrase "ability to govern their lives" is critical here. The way ahead seems clear: Netanyahu probably plans to maintain the current rift between the Palestinians living in Hamas-controlled Gaza and those living in the Fatah-controlled West Bank. Keeping the Palestinians divided, in other words merely maintaining the status quo, allows for Palestinian self-governance in both Gaza and the West Bank, prevents the unity necessary for a Palestinian state, and weakens the ability of both Hamas and Fatah to threaten Israel.

Netanyahu also makes it clear that he intends to work to strengthen Fatah at the expense of Hamas. A proponent of toppling the Hamas government, Netanyahu can be expected to direct economic aid and support to the West Bank and Fatah while allowing only necessary humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza. This course of action makes perfect sense as long as Hamas, a terrorist organization that refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist, remains a viable political force.

What does Israel stand to gain through negotiations with Hamas? Will Hamas stop the rocket fire directed at Israeli civilians? It's doubtful. The recent Israeli offensive into Gaza inflicted heavy losses on Hamas members, but the rockets continue to strike Israel, despite a supposed "cease fire." What will it take for the Palestinians in Gaza to realize that their quality of life could be immeasurably improved if they ceased their support for the terrorists in Hamas?

Netanyahu is considered by many to be a hard-liner. Perhaps Tzipi Livni would have taken a different approach if she had been selected to form a new Israeli government. She is, after all, considered much more of a moderate, open to stronger diplomatic efforts aimed at securing peace between Israel and the Palestinians. But she wasn't selected. Israel left Gaza after being told by Hamas that an end to the occupation would mean an end to Palestinian attacks against Israel. Hamas continues to hold Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and the targeting of Israeli civilians continues almost daily. No one should be surprised if Israel has decided it is done with Hamas for a while. Maybe the Palestinians in Gaza will see the benefits of Israeli efforts in the West Bank and rethink their position.