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Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21813/recognition-of-palestine-hamas
How Hamas Sees the West's Recognition of "Palestine"
(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - The recent announcements by France, Britain, Canada and other countries that they intend to recognize a Palestinian state have emboldened the Iran-backed Palestinian terror group Hamas. Hamas's initial reaction to the announcements was: "The recognition of the State of Palestine with full sovereignty is the fruit of our people's continuous struggle." Hamas clearly views this as the direct result of its Oct. 7 carnage. Hamas's primary goal is to remain in power after the war so that it can continue its jihad (holy war) to eliminate Israel. Western leaders have succeeded in making any negotiations impossible. The message they sent was: Massacre and keep the hostages and be rewarded with a state. This is certainly not the right time to talk about a "two-state solution." The jihadists and terrorists see it as a reward for their atrocities against Israel. It is more important to focus efforts on dismantling and crushing all the Palestinian terror groups and embarking on a process of deradicalization for the Palestinians before talking about a peace process or "two-state solution." The writer, a veteran Israeli journalist, is a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.