Neither Annexation nor Jihad: The Only Way Out of the Israeli-Palestinian Cycle of Bloodshed | Gershon Baskin
Dr. Gershon Baskin argues that there is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and both sides are trapped in the illusion that force will defeat the other. He criticizes Hamas under Khalil al-Hayya for continuing the path of jihad, and points to the need for responsible Palestinian leadership and an Israeli political alternative.
Dr. Gershon Baskin argues that there is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and both sides are trapped in the illusion that military force can force the other to give up its identity. He criticizes the Israeli belief in a military solution, which leads to pressure that does not bring about Palestinian concessions, and the Palestinian belief in liberation through violence, which has led to catastrophic destruction in Gaza. Baskin refers to the speech of Khalil al-Hayya, the new Hamas leader, who presented the October 7 attack as a glorious chapter in a historic struggle, without regret for the destruction of Gaza, and called for the liberation of all of Palestine. Baskin states that this is a formula for eternal war, which strengthens the Israeli right. He emphasizes that both sides reinforce each other: Hamas validates the Israeli right's claim, and Israel validates Hamas's claim. The solution, he says, lies in responsible Palestinian leadership, elections, democratic legitimacy, and non-violent resistance, alongside a genuine Israeli political alternative. The conflict will end only when Palestinians achieve freedom and a state, and Israelis achieve security and recognition.