I believe that President Abbas can be a credible partner for peace, though it is vital that he have the support of the Palestinian people if he is to act as that partner. The success of Hamas in the 2006 election and the ensuing intra-Palestinian conflict shows us the danger of the Palestinians losing faith in the peace process and turning towards extremist leaders. Until Abbas can restore order in the West Bank and restore the faith of the Palestinian people in the peace process, we know that progress will be limited. I support efforts to assist Abbas as he works to reestablish law and order, as well as lay the foundation for a peaceful, prosperous Palestinian state. U.S. assistance to build legal institutions within the Palestinian Authority and rebuild the local economy is a good investment and must be continued.
Gaza & Hamas
I do not see how there can be a single, unified Palestinian state as long as Hamas remains in control of Gaza, and committed to terrorism and the elimination of Israel. The United States should continue to join Israel in isolating Hamas and making clear that until they reject violence and accept the right of Israel to exist there can be no formal negotiations.
At the same time, it is important that we encourage the Palestinian people - particularly those in the Gaza - to reject the extremism of Hamas. Israel must provide the Palestinians in Gaza with fuel, electricity, water, medical services, food and medicine, as the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza only increases popular support for extremism. I realize that it might not seem "fair" to many Israelis to provide services to people who are firing rockets at them. But most Palestinians in Gaza are not firing rockets. I believe it is in Israel's best interests to err on the side of providing humanitarian aid. The people of Gaza remain among those most critical and skeptical of Israeli promises for peace. Unless we can convince them that there is a path to peace through rejecting violence and reconciling the government in the West Bank, the prospects for building a stable, secure Palestinian state appear remote.