Yossi Ahimeir Warns Against Legitimizing Hamas After Jared Kushner's Cairo Meeting

Yossi Ahimeir strongly criticizes Jared Kushner's recent meeting with Hamas leadership in Cairo, warning against granting legitimacy to the terrorist group responsible for the October 7 massacre. Ahimeir clarifies that Kushner did not visit Gaza last week, as mistakenly reported, but met with Hamas leaders in Cairo, including Khalil al-Hayya, who remains at large. He condemns the White House for negotiating with and legitimizing a Nazi-terrorist organization that perpetrated horrific atrocities, despite Kushner's statements acknowledging the difficulty of trusting Hamas.

Ahimeir highlights that Washington is mediating between Israel and Hamas as if they were equal states, with Hamas demanding Israel fulfill all initial commitments and cease violations, effectively placing Israel on the defensive. He notes the international discourse has shifted to accusing Israel of genocide and destruction in Gaza, while the International Criminal Court seeks to prosecute Prime Minister Netanyahu. Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdogan escalates anti-Semitic rhetoric, framing Israel as Turkey's primary threat.

Recalling former President Obama's naive 2009 Cairo speech, Ahimeir questions whether Kushner's approach is similarly unrealistic, especially as Hamas continues to arm itself, enforce strict control over Gaza, and execute collaborators. He argues that even if Hamas disarms physically, its deep-rooted hatred and desire to destroy Israel remain intact. Ahimeir doubts the effectiveness of Kushner's "Peace Council" and warns that peace agreements with Arab states like Egypt are fragile amid rising hostility.

He cites an Egyptian diplomat's call for Arab nations to revoke recognition of Israel and support a Palestinian state from the sea to the river, urging continued attacks against Israelis. Ahimeir stresses that past agreements with Arab states and Palestinians have repeatedly failed, recalling historic massacres and terrorist attacks. He warns that any Israeli government leaning left-center risks nurturing a terror state dream in the West Bank and Gaza, ignoring lessons from the disengagement and the October 7 massacre.

Ahimeir concludes by urging extreme caution regarding Kushner's peace efforts, emphasizing that Israel must not forget the violent history and ongoing threats posed by Hamas and similar groups.