Oslo Accords' Legacy Fuels Fears of Another October 7
Thirty-three years after the signing of the Oslo Accords, author Yuval Bloomberg argues that the agreements continue to shape Israel's current security and political reality. In an interview with Channel 7, Bloomberg, author of "The Oslo Trap," stated that the accords, intended to lead to a permanent agreement within five years, instead laid the groundwork for the current challenges.
Bloomberg refutes the notion that the accords are irrelevant today, asserting they fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape and territorial control. He explained that prior to Oslo, Israel controlled the West Bank and Gaza, which were largely demilitarized. The accords, however, provided the Palestinians with the territory and the conditions to establish what he termed a "terror fortress," facilitated by financial transfers. Since the accords, at least $44 billion has been transferred to the Palestinian Authority, with $15-16 billion going to Gaza, dwarfing recent Qatari aid.
He drew a direct line from the Oslo Accords to the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, arguing that the transfer of control created a situation of frequent attacks, leaving then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with the choice to reconquer Gaza or withdraw. The withdrawal, he contends, led to Hamas's rise and its subsequent takeover of the Strip. This, in turn, resulted in a cycle of conflict and major operations in Gaza every year or two, a situation Bloomberg believes Israel brought upon itself through a series of decisions stemming from Oslo.
Bloomberg also addressed Israel's policy towards Hamas prior to the October 7th attacks, suggesting that the division between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority initially eased international pressure for a Palestinian state. However, he noted, Israel developed a belief that Hamas could be managed through economic interests, a strategy that ended on October 7th. He claimed that this policy, coupled with a security establishment acting as a "state within a state," prevented Netanyahu from taking significant action against Hamas due to a lack of public and international legitimacy.
Looking ahead to upcoming elections, Bloomberg warned against a return to policies that favor a Palestinian state, citing statements by figures like Gadi Eisenkot. He cautioned that such a path could lead to another October 7th-style event, not just in Gaza but also within Israel's Arab communities, driven by a desire to liberate occupied land.
