Hillary Clinton: Israel missed biggest opportunity for Hamas deal after 12 Day War

Every day Israel fails to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, its standing in the region and around the world erodes, and its long-term security is undermined, Clinton warned.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu missed the biggest opportunity for a deal with Hamas after the Iran war, former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton argued in an interview on the “Raging Moderates” podcast released on Friday.

“Israel established such dominance – intelligence dominance, military dominance, controlled the air over Iran, was able to destroy important infrastructure of their military industrial complex, had the addresses of some of the leaders in the nuclear program – and then the US came in and added to that dominance with our unique capability. After that, it seemed to me, Netanyahu should proclaim victory. Take the W,” she explained.

Describing Hamas as a death cult that is on its knees, she elaborated that with Iran, “We have clearly sent a message – very forcefully – that we will not allow it to become a nuclear weapons power.”

If she had been in Netanyahu’s position, she said, she would have laid out “a plan for a ceasefire on a fast track, whether or not Hamas agrees,” she began, arguing that the terrorist group has no interest in agreeing to a ceasefire, because the war perpetuates their narrative.

“I’m going to begin talking with our Arab neighbors about what we can do to put together some kind of security/redevelopment program; I’m going to demand that the Palestinian Authority reform itself in order to be a partner with Israel in doing anything about governing the day after Gaza.”

Even if doing so costs Netanyahu politically, Clinton said she would appeal directly to the Israeli public with her vision for Israel’s future – normalization with Saudi Arabia, supporting the Lebanese government to subdue Hezbollah, and working to ensure “we get the right regime in Syria.” She argued that, by doing so, he could be re-elected – although “Israel needs new leadership,” she added quickly.

Gaza crisis erodes Israel’s standing and security

Clinton argued that by not addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis - as a strong supporter of Israel, she added – it is “undermining Israel’s position in the world and it is putting Israelis and Jews at risk around the world.”

“This is not the usual suffering that comes from active warfare. Israel has other options,” which she said, other military and political leadership has proposed. “There are other options that would continue to protect Israel but move it out of this quagmire that it has gotten itself into.”

Netanyahu is a prisoner of the most extreme elements within Israeli society, and therefore, he is unable to get pragmatic again, which is what he used to be able to do,” the former presidential candidate said.

Every day Israel fails to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, its standing in the region and around the world erodes, and its long-term security is undermined, Clinton warned.