EDITORIAL: Wishful thinking can’t end war in Gaza

Anthony Albanese has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being “in denial” about the catastrophic toll the war in Gaza is taking on ordinary civilians.

But it is Mr Albanese and Penny Wong who are living in a fantasy land.

The PM and his Foreign Minister appear to genuinely believe that recognition of Palestine is somehow a bad outcome for the Hamas jihadists whose murderous actions were the catalyst for this war.

They have deluded themselves into believing that a Hamas-free Palestine is possible while the terrorist organisation continues to exist.

But Hamas will not go quietly into the night. That’s been proven over the past year and nine months.

Wishful thinking can’t end this war

Hamas could have chosen to end this conflict at any time during that period, by releasing the hostages it took during the October 7, 2023 massacre.

Instead, it has kept them in underground bunkers beneath the ruined city in intolerable conditions and suffering psychological and physical torment. Dozens are believed to be dead — Hamas is still refusing to even give up the corpses of the murdered.

And in doing so, Hamas has kept Palestinians in harm’s way, their suffering just collateral damage in the terrorist outfit’s mission to annihilate Israel.

Why then would Hamas lay down its arms now?

Recognition of a Palestinian state is not Hamas’ aim. If that was the case, lasting peace would have been struck years ago.

Hamas’ mission — as stated in its catch-cry repeated by useful Western idiots across the world — is to wipe Israel from existence, “from the river to the sea”.

Mr Albanese is right that Australians have been shocked by the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. They are sick of the bloodshed and want the war to end.

But this will not accomplish that. Recognition now will serve only to prolong this conflict.

It sends the message to Hamas and those who share its murderous ambitions that terror and extreme violence are tactics worth pursuing. It would also legitimise Hamas in the eyes of Palestinians, making the task of rooting it out of Palestine’s institutions even more difficult.

Mr Albanese is also right that a two-state solution is the destination. But we are not there yet.

The Prime Minister says a key factor in his change of position was the assurances he received from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas would have no role in a sovereign Palestine and would be made to disarm.

That is not a promise Mr Abbas can make.

The PA does not have control over Hamas. It holds little real power over Palestine and Palestinians view its leaders with deep distrust.

Wishful thinking can’t end this war. Western self-delusion won’t persuade Hamas fanatics to surrender their weapons.

But that is all Mr Albanese has. There is no plan grounded in reality for a sovereign Palestine which would not pose a threat to Israel’s existence.

Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by Editor-in-Chief Christopher Dore.