Friend,
Consider this a warning: Once again, Netanyahu is propping up Hamas because he knows unified, moderate Palestinian leadership in the West Bank and Gaza could pave the way toward a Palestinian state.
What’s worse, he’s doing so at a moment in which Israel faces a historic opportunity. Moderate Arab and Muslim countries are ready to implement the 20-point US peace plan, help rebuild Gaza and even contribute troops to stabilize it, as part of a plan that would see Hamas finally removed from power and open the door to Israel’s long-sought regional integration.
Their only condition: Israel must agree that the Palestinian Authority will eventually govern Gaza and begin working toward a Palestinian state.
But Bibi refuses any PA involvement in Gaza. He and his allies are pushing a fantasy where Israel holds half of Gaza and, somehow, a new Palestinian leadership friendly to Israel will arise.
When it fails, he’ll once again say: “We have no partner. Peace isn’t possible.”
Netanyahu isn’t stupid. This is all by design. He prefers to let Hamas remain in power and keep the Palestinians divided. As he himself said in 2019: “Whoever is against a Palestinian state should be for transferring the [Qatari] funds to Gaza,” because it maintains the Hamas-PA split.
It’s a toxic symbiosis – Netanyahu props up Hamas, and Hamas gives legitimacy to his opposition to peace and Palestinian statehood.
Yes, the PA is far from perfect. It needs reform and renewed legitimacy – both of which it has committed itself to under the 20-point peace plan. But it remains the only viable Palestinian alternative to Hamas, and the only partner for an eventual peace.
Folks, the stakes could not be higher. If this temporary ceasefire becomes the new status quo – Israel controlling one half of Gaza, Hamas the other – it is only a matter of time until the next war.
The US cannot let that happen. Our leaders must stand up to Netanyahu’s extremist government and back the moderates on both sides that can implement the 20-point plan and make peace possible.
Let’s keep fighting – and make clear that Jewish Americans stand against extremists. To join us, please consider supporting J Street’s work.
Yours in solidarity,
Ilan Goldenberg
Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer, J Street 
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J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans who want Israel to be secure, democratic and the national home of the Jewish people. Working in American politics and the Jewish community, we advocate policies that advance shared US and Israeli interests as well as Jewish and democratic values, leading to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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