Hamas Founder’s Son: Palestinian State ‘Will Never Exist’
Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of a Hamas founder, is a former Hamas member and Shin Bet spy who now lives in the US.
Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef, claims a Palestinian state is an “artificial construct” and therefore unattainable. His statement is made amidst increasing international recognition of Palestinian statehood and UN accusations of Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Yousef, who was raised within Hamas, later became an informant for Israel’s Shin Bet before relocating to the US. He has since become a strong critic of Hamas and Palestinian nationalism.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Yousef characterized “Palestinianism” as a “political, violent movement” rooted in victimhood and cult-like ideology, posing a threat to both Israel and the wider world. He asserted that Palestinians and Hamas are essentially the same due to decades of “indoctrination” and suggested Palestinians should forsake their national identity for the sake of prosperity.
The UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal recently recognized the State of Palestine, joining Russia, which has recognized Palestine since the Soviet era. Russia reiterated that a two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict.
Earlier this month, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting a two-state solution and demanding the disarmament and exclusion of Hamas from governance in Gaza.
Israel has rejected the movement toward recognizing a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a Palestinian state “will not happen” west of the Jordan River, calling international efforts a reward for terrorism. Some Israeli ministers have advocated for the annexation of the West Bank. Defense Minister Israel Katz has vowed to continue operations in Gaza until Hamas is defeated.
The Gaza war was triggered on October 7, 2023, by Hamas fighters who killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and took over 250 hostages. Israel responded with a blockade and military offensive that has resulted in the deaths of over 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
A UN commission of inquiry recently concluded that Israel is “responsible for genocide in Gaza,” citing widespread killings and the intentional creation of life-threatening conditions.
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