Haaretz: The Palestinian Authority is a partner

The catastrophe that Israel experienced on October 7 exposed the Israeli rejectionist front, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu's words in the press conference the day before yesterday indicate that the destructive theory that he leads still exists. Not only does he maintain Israel's overall security control over the Gaza Strip, but he declared that "there will be no civil authority to pay salaries to the families of the 'killers.'" Here he means the Palestinian Authority, headed by Mahmoud Abbas.

It seems that Netanyahu's words are directed inward, and his goal is to fortify his authority. He himself expressed reservations about the return of Israeli civilian control over the region, and thus distanced himself from the messianic extreme right. But it is difficult to find an Arab or international party that would volunteer to bear this difficult task, and the Palestinian Authority is the only one that can bear responsibility for the 2.2 million Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip. 

The campaign that Netanyahu is waging against power is devastating, and indicates that there has been no change in theory.

Netanyahu must say “no” to “terrorism,” and “yes” to the diplomatic channel, and not just to security cooperation. The Authority's leadership has previously made clear that the condition for its return to Gaza is a return to the negotiating table regarding the two-state solution. President Joe Biden also made clear that he adheres to this solution. The meeting between Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and PA President Abbas confirms that the United States sees the PA as a partner for Israel in the political solution.

The disaster of October 7, and the multi-front confrontation that began after it, brought together the Palestinian issue with the Iranian issue and its branches. The Prime Minister, who remains silent about those who stir up strife, such as Ministers Yisrael Katz and Avi Dichter, who talk about a “second Nakba,” and others who dream of returning to Gush Katif, is endangering the peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt and the Abraham Accords. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has publicly announced that the normalization of relations with Israel is conditional on the progress of the settlement with the Palestinians. A political process that would give the Palestinian Authority a broad umbrella from the Arab League and Islamic countries.

Netanyahu continues his strategy that has brought Israel to the abyss: pushing the Palestinian Authority into a corner, with the aim of thwarting any possibility of a two-state solution. And the coalition cooperation with the settlers’ party, the result of which was to ignite the region, instead of asking the Minister of Defense to put an end to the incitement carried out by settler rioters who do whatever they want, and to open a diplomatic channel with Abbas.

Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot should not be satisfied with participating in military steps, defending the home front, and feeling “together we win.” They must explain well to Netanyahu that going to all-out war must include ending the political boycott imposed on the Palestinian Authority, and restoring its standing among the Palestinian people and Israeli citizens.