By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL-On Monday, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said “Hamas is an idea that can’t be eliminated.” Safadi added that Hamas was not the instigator of the current conflict in Gaza but that what happened October 7, “was the result of 70 years of Israeli occupation, which refused to recognize the rights of the Palestinians.” Meanwhile, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Hamas leaders already demonstrated they are willing to stop their armed resistance “if there is a clear commitment to establishing a Palestinian state.” As Safadi stated “Everyone wants peace based on a two-state solution.” He further added that “Israel must declare its commitment to a just and comprehensive peace, but it is clear that Netanyahu does not want peace.” This sentiment has been reverberating throughout Israel in a plethora of major protests by Israelis for months, demanding that Netanyahu resign. Momentum has been intensifying in the last several weeks, putting extreme pressure on Netanyahu not just from ordinary Israelis but from the hostage families as well.
Safadi told the WEF panel: “The armed struggle and resistance to occupation are legitimate, and as long as there is occupation, there will be a justification for resisting it under international law.” He also called for creating conditions “that lead to Hamas being a partner in the [political] process and participating in establishing the Palestinian state.” He said it should be “Palestinian voters who “are entrusted with determining the role that Hamas can play.” This year’s WEF put a major focus on the Palestinian issue and the war in Gaza. The two-day meeting which opened on Sunday, brought together more than 260 participants with an emphasis on international cooperation and targeted dialogues in light of the numerous international conflicts facing the world today. The focus was on ways to explore solutions to conflicts to deal with these challenges. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal al-Ibrahim said “We cannot allow a world when some have access and others do not.” He added that everything must be done to promote “equity” and “sustainability.”
