What Palestinians need to do to create a Palestinian state
14 December 2023
Statehood is not an entitlement. It is a bottom-up process that requires decades of hard work to determine the new country’s values, to cultivate a group of talented and dedicated people capable of implementing these values and to educate its residents so they are committed to defending these values, even at the cost of their lives. This cannot be achieved through a proclamation.
Palestinians are certainly capable of creating a state, based on their talent and expertise evident in the United States, particularly in Southeast Michigan. But even if these individuals moved to the Middle East, their task would be difficult because they would have to (a) change a society grounded on terrorism, at least in Gaza; (b) work with a population that appears hostile to democratic values and (c) constantly fight back against local Palestinians, other individuals and governments in Iran and Lebanon who want to sabotage a stable Palestinian government.
Nevertheless, the time is now for Palestinians to start making personal and societal changes to be capable of having a prosperous state. This includes:
In the U.S., Middle East and elsewhere, engaging in political protests against Hamas and other terrorist groups to stop their rocket attacks on Israel and to release all hostages.
Working to destroy Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza and the West Bank by identifying the hiding places of terrorist leadership, existing weapon caches and weapon factories as well as tunnel entrances and possible locations of hostages.
Publicly condemning the use of Palestinians as human shields by Hamas and other terrorist organizations.
Publicly condemning the sexual violence committed by Hamas and studying what can be done to prevent this in the future.
Publicly proclaiming their belief in the rule of law and tolerance for opposing points of view.
Acknowledging their role in creating and maintaining a terrorist society and making a commitment to change this behavior.
Ending the indoctrination of Palestinian children and their attendance at terrorist training camps.
Ending payments to families of those who die committing terrorist acts.
Working to improve the day-to-day lives of Palestinians in the Middle East through peaceful means.
Working to end refugee camps for Palestinians in the Middle East and replacing them with permanent housing.
Ending hate speech, including “intifada” and “from the river to the sea”.
The Palestinians in the Middle East have lived under terrible conditions since at least 1948, largely because their leadership was focused on promoting hatred of Jews and Israel instead of improving their lives. For any Palestinian state to be successful, Palestinians must stop the hate and focus on effective government that improves housing, the economy, infrastructure and other dull but important functions of government. Current Palestinian leaders do not appear to be capable of doing this.
This path to a democratic Palestinian state will be difficult but will provide the best future for Palestinians and a stable Middle East. It is time for Palestinians to start to implement these changes. As Palestinian society evolves, other governments, including Israel and the United States, will support these efforts.
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