ArcaMax

President Trump and members of his administration are (pick your metaphor) whistling past the graveyard, engaging in wishful thinking and/or deluding themselves into believing a demon can be transformed into an angel.

The Trump administration has announced a “deal” has been reached between the terrorist group Hamas that has occupied Gaza for years and Israel that will lead to Hamas’ disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the strip. What would supposedly follow is a rebuilding of Gaza, which has been reduced to rubble. Much of the world and its media blame Israel for the destruction and deaths of civilians, but Hamas is at fault because its fighters and rockets hide among civilians. Let’s not forget, though some apparently have forgotten, Oct. 7, 2023 when 1,200 people were killed in Israel by Hamas and 251 were abducted as hostages. Some were raped and many tortured, according to those who managed to escape or be exchanged for imprisoned terrorists in Israeli prisons. Some have linked this day of terror as a modern Holocaust.

As of last weekend, Israel has remained silent about the proposed deal. I won’t. Some things bear repeating many times so it will sink it. Hamas and the rest of the terrorist gangs go by different names but all have the same goal – the destruction of Israel (for starters). Hamas has a charter that has never been revoked, or even amended.

People who want to have their eyes and minds opened can Google “Hamas Charter” and read it for themselves, but here are the highlights. Since its founding in 1988, Hamas’ number one goal has been and remains Israel’s complete destruction. It has not modified or changed that objective. Hamas wants Israel to be replaced by an Islamic Palestinian state, stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. That’s what those chants “from the river to the sea” on college campuses and street demonstrations are about.

The conflict is rooted in the religious doctrine and political ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood which means they believe their god has commanded them to do these things, including the aforementioned October 7 attacks.

Hamas promotes and encourages antisemitism, including extreme antisemitic language and conspiracy theories regarding global influence.

In what should be obvious to the Trump administration, Hamas has consistently rejected peace talks, or the recognition of Israel’s right to exist.

This should serve as a nonstarter when there is talk of negotiations. Even if Hamas agrees to meeting with administration and Israeli officials, they won’t be serious given the stated goals in their charter. Why are we even considering playing this losing game?

It’s the same with Iran, whose Ayatollahs and other leaders share the same objectives as Hamas.

Worldview is everything. Many people believe we are all alike and all grievances can be settled when people are sincere enough. Not true. Just as deluded Americans think socialism is good, people who think Hamas will ever lay down their weapons and reach a peace deal with Israel are playing into the hands of our – and Israel’s – enemies.

To repeat, our enemies don’t think the way Westerners do. If they did, they would act and think like us. That is why transposing our morality on those who don’t share it is a recipe for disaster.

Got it, or must I repeat myself?

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Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book “A Watchman in the Night: What I've Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America" (HumanixBooks).

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