Why is there no Palestinian state? The answer lies in decades of failed opportunities - opinion

Michael Freund argues that the absence of a Palestinian state stems from Palestinian rejection of partition plans and peace offers, citing historical examples from 1937 to 2008. He asserts that Israeli withdrawals from Gaza led to Hamas control and Oct. 7, concluding that further withdrawals would endanger Israel.

In this opinion column, Michael Freund argues that the lack of a Palestinian state is due to Palestinian rejection of numerous opportunities, not Israeli policy. He cites the 1937 Peel Commission partition proposal, the 1947 UN partition plan, and the 1948 war as early instances where Arab leaders refused statehood. He notes that from 1948 to 1967, Jordan and Egypt controlled the territories, yet no Palestinian state was created. He highlights the PLO's original charter demanding all of Israel and the 1967 Khartoum 'Three Noes'. He details the Oslo Accords, Camp David 2000, and Clinton Parameters, quoting Clinton's 2024 statement that Arafat 'walked away' from a state. He mentions the 2005 Gaza withdrawal and subsequent Hamas takeover, and the 2008 Olmert offer that Abbas allegedly backtracked on. He concludes that Israel should not risk further withdrawals, given Oct. 7.