Empty gestures set back the cause of Palestinian statehood [View all]

On a symbolic level, Palestinians’ long-held dream of an independent state has never appeared closer. At the U.N. General Assembly next month, Britain, France, Canada and Australia plan to join 147 other countries in recognizing one. If that happens, four of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council will have done so, leaving the United States isolated in opposition.

But on the level that matters — the ground truth — rarely has the goal of Palestinian statehood seemed more distant. After nearly two years of war against Hamas in Gaza — sparked after the terrorist group killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 people hostage — the vast majority of Israelis, 71 percent, oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, compared to roughly half a decade ago.

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A two-state solution remains the only viable option to end the decades of continuous bloodshed and give Palestinians what all people deserve: the right to self-determination in their own homeland. But recognizing a state now comes at the wrong time. It actually sets back efforts to find a lasting peace.

The establishment of a Palestinian state was always envisioned as the end goal of a process in which Israelis agree to swap conquered land for a guaranteed peace. But diplomatic recognition must be conditions-based — not an end to itself. At the core, the future Palestinian state must recognize Israel’s right to exist and renounce violence and terrorism. That means removing from any government role groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, whose calling cards are the elimination of the Jewish state. It means erasing from the education of young Palestinians in schools and mosques that insidious hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. And it means standing up a reformed Palestinian Authority with the credibility and resources to govern the new entity.

https://wapo.st/45x1zgV