The state if negotiations

I find it hard to believe that Hamas is willing to accept Netanyahu’s conditions that would cause Hamas to release hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire and the continued presence of IDF forces in Gaza.

In such a situation, the blockade on the Strip remains and there is no guarantee that the war will end even after the partial release of the hostages.

I am of course in favor of the release of every hostage and a ceasefire, even if it is temporary. But what needs to happen is an end to the war, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an end to the blockade on the Strip, and the release of all hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners according to an agreed-upon formula.

This is probably not possible as long as Netanyahu is a hostage to his coalition and as long as Trump does not oblige him to end the war.

Categories: Insights

Gershon Baskin

Gershon Baskin is one of the most recognizable names in the Middle East Peace process. He is a political and social entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to peace between Israel and its neighbors. His dedication to creating a culture of peace and environmental awareness, coupled with his impeccable integrity, has earned him the trust of the leaders of all sides of the century old conflict. Few people have such far-reaching and positive impacts on promoting peace, security, prosperity and bi-national relationships. Gershon is an advisor to Israeli, Palestinian and International Prime Ministers on the Middle East Peace Process and the founder and director of IPCRI, the Israeli-Palestinian Public Policy Institute. He was the initiator and negotiator of the secret back channel between Israel and Hamas for the release of 1,027 prisoners – mainly Palestinians and Arab-Israelis of which 280 were sentenced to life in prison, including Yahya Sinwar, the current Palestinian leader of the Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The prisoners were imprisoned for planning and perpetrating various attacks against Jewish targets that resulted in the killing of 569 Israelis in exchange for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Schalit. Gershon is actively involved in research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, environmental security, political strategy, peace education, economics, culture and in the development of affordable solar projects with the goal of providing clean electricity for 50 million people by 2020. He is a founding member of Kol Ezraheiha-Kol Muwanteneiha (All of the Citizens) political party in Israel. He is now directing The Holy Land Bond and is the Middle East Director for ICO – International Communities Organization - a UK based NGO working in conflict zones with failed peace processes.