Why a Land for Peace Deal With Gaza Can Never be an Option

The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research recently released a new poll citing the opinions of Arabs living in the Gaza Strip, Judea, and Samaria. After eight months of war, it would be easy to assume that the general opinion of the population would be wholeheartedly against Hamas and the atrocities committed against Israel on October 7th but the information shown in the poll depicts a far different reality. What does this poll say, and what does it indicate about the future of these contested areas?

“Hamas was right to maliciously rape, murder, kidnap, and terrorize thousands of Israelis.”

The frightening and overwhelming opinion of the Arabs living in these areas are as follows: 

• Hamas was right to attack Israel
• Hamas will win the war
• Hamas should govern the Gaza Strip and not the Palestinian Authority
• The majority support Hamas over all other political parties
• More Arabs support an armed struggle over a two-state solution

These statistics speak more loudly and factually than any chant on a college campus or slanted media headline, proving that, ultimately, peace is as likely now as it was following the Israeli withdrawal of Gaza in 2005. The aim of the withdrawal from Gaza was peace between the Gazans and Israelis, but that has been seen to fail multiple times in the last 19 years, most notably and horrifically on October 7th, 2023. Based on these statistics, the likelihood of this violence to spread appears to be more potent than it has been in recent years since the most support for Hamas was shown in Judea and Samaria, whereas it was slightly less in the Gaza Strip (though a majority still supported Hamas). This bloodthirsty and hateful mindset that is still held by many of the civilians in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria proves that no ceasefire or two-state solution will ever create peace in the hostile environment that envelopes this region. 

Through this research, it can be easily seen that history would repeat itself in Gaza; just as Hamas was elected to rule over Gaza in 2007, this new poll indicates that they would be re-elected today if given the opportunity. The Arabs residing in these areas still prefer Hamas, still prefer violence, and still respond positively when a political party inflicts atrocities against the Jewish people. This means that Israel cannot allow a repetition of October 7th to become a reality following the conclusion of the war. Circumstantially, however, it appears as though Israel’s hands are tied on all sides and that there are no options that will appease anyone in the international community. Some advocate for Israel to take back the Gaza Strip, while others advocate that Israel shrink its borders to pre-1967. The consequences of any action that Israel chooses will be dire in some manner; if Israel chooses to reclaim Gaza, then Israel will be even more villainized in the world’s scope, but if Israel chooses to allow Gaza to be governed the same way that it did prior to October 7th, another attack, potentially larger in scale and more lethal, is likely. The former option results in a social suicide, but the latter option has the potential to result in literal national suicide. 

What Does This Poll Really Tell Us? 

Ultimately, these new statistics do not provide any new revelations. It has been known for some time that the majority of Arabs in these contested areas respond well to inciting violence and will choose the option to terrorize and destroy the nation of Israel if given the opportunity. It is also well known that many, if not all, of these statistics will be largely ignored by the majority of the world so that the world may better criticize Israel. Thankfully, despite this unfortunate reality, these statistics are not without purpose as they help better educate, equip, and analyze the situation and reality for those who are willing to listen. This gives each reader an edge on how to better advocate for the land and people of Israel and to continually shout from the rooftops that Israel and Gaza cannot be returned to the way it was before October 7th. Relations must change and these statistics give further reason and proof that change is not ideal, but a necessity. Peace with the former Gaza Strip can never be an option or a reality, but, God willing, peace with a changed Gaza can become a reality, even if that means it is fully under Israeli governance.