Member-only story
The Arab states failed massively in not acting, individually and collectively, to intercede to defuse Hamas’ aggression and prevent the October 7th attack.
The result has been enormously tragic.
Two days ago I saw a photograph of a Palestinian man kissing his small dead child, whom he held in his arms, after having been killed during an air strike in Gaza. Two of his other children lay before him in body bags, their lips slightly parted, breathless.
How long will it take for the father to process what he now feels?
To think that the Arab states did not have a sense that a Hamas attack was impending is not credible.
Hamas had likely gone to them for help with guns and munitions and when they were turned down, they then went to Iran who was more than happy to assist.
Are the Arab nations scared that Hamas will turn on them?
Very likely. But that’s a risk Arab nations must take.
Then join in and campaign publicly, for Hamas to surrender violence as a way to deal with Israel.
There is no other way.
Arab nations knew that the people of Gaza were being talked into supporting violence against Israel.
They also knew it was a prescription for disaster. And they did nothing.
Those same Arab nations have been in negotiations with Israel to establish better relations.
They know that is the only way forward. But they failed to get Hamas in on the idea.
Maybe Hamas is difficult to talk to. Maybe…
