In recent months, we've seen a growing number of Western countries, including Spain, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Armenia, announce their recognition of a Palestinian state. Now, the United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal and Australia have taken this step. While leaders of these nations frame this as a principled move toward peace, it sends a far more dangerous message: Violence and terrorism pay off.
From 'Never Forget' to a fading narrative
On October 7, 2023, the world was horrified by the brutal massacre in Israel carried out by Hamas. The world vowed, "Never forget," yet less than a year later, the international discourse shifted dramatically. Western governments are no longer focused on punishing the perpetrators or strengthening deterrence against terrorism. Instead, they are pressuring Israel and offering a diplomatic prize to the very forces that used the massacre to advance their political agenda.
The argument that recognition is aimed at the Palestinian Authority and not at Hamas is hollow. Hamas still controls Gaza, shapes Palestinian public opinion and promotes the ideology of "armed struggle." The message to Hamas and other extremist groups is unmistakable: terrorism works.
This dynamic isn't new. Over the past decade, we've seen a similar scenario in Syria with Ahmad al-Sharaa, the country's current president and former leader of Jabhat al-Nusra, an Al-Qaida affiliate. Once a most-wanted terrorist with a U.S. bounty on his head, al-Sharaa was responsible for massacres and ethnic cleansing.
As Western nations searched for "partners" against ISIS, some gradually whitewashed al-Sharaa's image. He rebranded his group as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), swapped his military fatigues for tailored suits and began presenting himself as a "responsible local leader." There's now a real possibility that al-Sharaa could appear on international platforms, with discussions about him even addressing the United Nations.
This sends a chilling message to terrorists globally: if you kill enough people, seize enough territory and rebrand effectively, the West will eventually be forced to treat you as legitimate.
The direct parallel to Hamas
Hamas is paying close attention to this Syrian model. It understands that instead of imposing strict preconditions for its dismantlement, the West is focusing its diplomatic efforts on pressuring Israel. As long as the world grants the PA the symbolic prize of "statehood" while Hamas maintains control of Gaza and continues to hold Israeli hostages, the message is clear: there is no need to change course or disarm. Continued terrorism will bring political rewards. This is the exact lesson al-Sharaa learned in Syria, and the West is reinforcing the same destructive cycle of violence.
The problem isn't just Western hypocrisy. Unfortunately, actions by Israel's own government have provided ammunition to its critics. Provocative statements by ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, including calls for "population transfers" and "rebuilding Jewish settlements in the Strip", have gone viral. These soundbites are weaponized by Israel's adversaries as evidence that it seeks conquest and revenge, not peace.
Instead of uniting around the plight of the hostages and the fight against terrorism, the government has allowed extreme voices to overshadow its legitimate narrative. The result is diminished international support for Israel and a convenient pretext for Western governments to justify unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.
The dangerous precedent
Instead of setting firm conditions, such as dismantling Hamas, ending incitement and establishing mechanisms for international oversight, the West is handing Palestinian factions a historic diplomatic achievement without requiring any concessions or accountability.
The message to terror groups worldwide couldn't be clearer: kill civilians, kidnap children, seize territory and the international community will eventually recognize you as an equal. Violence is not condemned; it is incentivized and rewarded. This dangerous incentive fuels a broader cycle of bloodshed, from Syria to Gaza and beyond.
What Israel must do
- Initiate a credible political framework: Present a realistic plan that distinguishes between a future negotiated solution and the legitimization of terrorism.
- End extremist rhetoric: Enforce disciplined, statesman-like communication by all government members.
- Launch a strategic international campaign: Highlight the parallels between Hamas and al-Sharaa to expose the dangers of rewarding terrorism through unilateral recognition.
- Forge regional alliances: Work with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Gulf states to build a pragmatic alternative to the Hamas-Iran axis.
- Demand clear conditions: Recognition must be conditional, granted only in exchange for complete demilitarization, cessation of incitement and verifiable international monitoring.
Munir DahirUnilateral recognition of a Palestinian state is not a step toward peace; it is a dangerous reward for terrorism. What unfolded with al-Sharaa in Syria is now happening before our eyes with Hamas. If the West fails to correct its course, it will set a perilous global precedent: any group that successfully dictates reality through bloodshed will ultimately gain legitimacy. This is not just a threat to Israel; it is a direct threat to the stability of the international order itself.