An extraordinary confluence of events could provide an opportunity to sideline rejectionist forces and enable Israel and its Muslim neighbors to peacefully resolve many of their differences, according to veteran Israeli security expert Dan Diker. Hamas’ October 7 pogrom showed that threats to US and Israeli security are intertwined, according to Diker, who is president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.
Diker told a Jewish Policy Center webinar Thursday that October 7 illustrated that “an assault on Israel is an assault on the United States,” noting that scores of Americans were beaten, raped, kidnapped or killed that day by pro-Hamas mobs. He noted that Iran — one of Hamas’ top backers — refers to the United States as the “Big Satan” and to Israel as the “Little Satan.”
Diker said that a series of dazzling Israeli successes post-October 7, including the assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders and the destruction of Iran’s air defenses, offered a unique opportunity for Israel to move forward rapprochement with the new Syrian government and its close ally, Turkey. While Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan has been a longtime supporter of Hamas, his regime has been willing to enter into negotiations with Israel to prevent the two nations from stumbling into conflict in Syria, where both have a military presence. There are indications that the new Syrian leader, ex- Islamic State jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa, may be willing to enter into talks with Israel.
Diker said that one of the most positive things to happen post-October 7 has been the growing consensus in Israel and the United States that the “two-state solution” — creating a Palestinian state next to Israel — is doomed to failure because the Palestinians have proven incapable of producing leadershi[p willing to live in peace alongside Israel.
