Why the path towards security goes through Palestinian self-determination

A year ago today, most of us would have never imagined Israeli pilots could fly freely in the skies of Tehran. Most of us – and most of the world – would have underestimated the sheer force available to Israel, its ability to attack everything from Basij military roadblocks to key components of an enemy state’s military-industrial complex. Few understood the extent of Israel’s capabilities, the global reach of its armed forces.

Half a year ago, many of us believed that this power had made Israel triumphant. “We removed two existential threats,” declared the current prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on June 24, 2025, “the threat of annihilation by nuclear weapons and the threat of annihilation by 20,000 ballistic missiles.”

And today, in the first days of May 2026, as the United States and Iran kick off what may be another round of confrontation – Israel sidelined, a follower at best – there are few in Israel who can honestly say that it is by the strength of our hand that we will be victorious. Steadfast, yes. We’ve proven that we are no less stubborn than the Palestinians, no less willing to be chased from our land. But victorious, no. At least, not by might alone. The past year has clarified that no amount of Israeli firepower will enable us to defeat our enemies so........

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