Gershon Baskin

There is often a considerable gap between how Palestinians speak politically and how they live their lives.

Netanyahu’s strategy of preventing Palestinian statehood was meant to protect Israel. Instead, Gershon Baskin argues, it helped preserve the conditions that produced October 7.

There is a remarkably simple message that an Israeli leader could convey without promising a Palestinian state or accepting a particular negotiating formula.

If the election produces a new government and Netanyahu becomes leader of the opposition, there will be an immediate opportunity to move.

None of these concerns should become an excuse to deny Palestinians the right to choose their leadership. Palestinian politics has suffered for years from a deep crisis of legitimacy.

Netanyahu would like nothing more than to campaign as the Israeli leader who stood up to Trump. Trump should refuse to play the role Netanyahu has written for him.

Replacing Netanyahu with a more competent leader while retaining Netanyahu’s fundamental doctrine toward the Palestinians would amount to better management of the same failed strategy.

If Israel goes to elections while fighting another war, the political terrain changes.

A functioning state cannot allow private ideological movements to use violence to determine borders.

Israel cannot achieve sustainable security by permanently controlling millions of Palestinians.