Negotiating with Terrorists Dangerously Naive

Is the U.S. Legitimizing Negotiations with Terrorists?

Since Oct. 7, 2023, the world seems disturbingly inclined to take sides with a terrorist organization, a conniving, genocidal entity which has taken hostages and murdered many, including Americans.

As headlines flash repeatedly across our screens, the United States appears to be diluting Israel’s security by endlessly presenting negotiations — discussions that Hamas, a terrorist organization committed to death and destruction, continually rejects.

Hamas does not seek peace or compromise.

It seeks the annihilation of a legitimate state whose primary goal is to protect its citizens, and struggles to prosper, while it does so.

To truly grasp the gravity of this situation, let’s rewind history, and in doing so, let's unfailingly reflect.

Imagine in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 that anyone considered, if not expected, the U.S. to negotiate and reach a cease-fire with al-Qaida?

Did it ever occur to anyone, at that time, that we should plead with those terrorists, offering them concessions on a silver platter?

That notion is of course beyond preposterous.

What we are witnessing today is akin to a global charade — the biggest free Broadway show on the global stage stage.

Instead of holding Israel accountable, we should reframe our perspectives and understand that legitimizing negotiations with terrorists undermines the foundation of democracy.

The stakes are incredibly high, not just for Israel but for all democracies globally.

The consequences of legitimizing terror and violence are grave, especially for our younger and future generations.

They are being misled to believe in the validation of violence, completely detached from the principles enshrined in our Constitution.

This dangerous manipulation must be countered by protecting our country and our democratic values, and by eliminating those who hide under the guise of a false cause to attack our way of life.

Therefore, it's imperative that the global community stops legitimizing terrorists.

We must unite, then expose, and eliminate terrorists who propagate violence under the pretense of a legitimate political and or religious causes. In this way we can safeguard democracy while preventing a perilous future for coming generations

Let's immediately cease making Israel look like the antagonist.

Let's acknowledge this stark reality: Democracies must not and cannot be coerced into negotiating with those who seek their annihilation.

The world must stand with Israel in recognizing that some threats cannot be bargained away. To truly honor the principles of peace, security, and justice, we must cease legitimizing and romanticizing the farcical notion that a democracy ought to negotiate with terrorists, not in appeasing those who seek its destruction.

It’s beyond time to wake up and recognize that expecting Israel to negotiate with Hamas is not just impractical — it’s dangerously naïve.

Hamas thrives on chaos and destruction, unwavering in its mission to eradicate Israel.

By continually pushing for negotiations, we aren't promoting peace; we are inadvertently legitimizing an entity that rejects the very foundation of diplomatic resolution.

And that is just the tip of a very perilous iceberg.

Duvi Honig is founder and chief executive officer of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, a global umbrella of businesses of all sizes, bridging the highest echelons of the business and governmental worlds together, stimulating economic opportunity and positively affecting public policy of governments. His work has been recognized by both Presidents Obama and Trump. Read more of his reports — Here.