A recent survey shows that an overwhelming 87% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza believe the Palestinian Authority (PA) is corrupt. Against this backdrop, Arab nations have taken an unprecedented step: calling on Hamas to disarm, relinquish control of Gaza, and step aside from governing Palestine altogether.
This dramatic shift coincides with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ultimatum to Israel—demanding a ceasefire, an end to settlement expansion, and a renewed peace process. Starmer has pledged that the United Kingdom will recognize a Palestinian state by September unless these conditions are met.
Arab Nations Call for Hamas to Step Aside
In a rare display of unity, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—three influential Arab states—joined 14 other nations, including Britain and France, in calling for Hamas to end its rule of Gaza.
The declaration, issued at a United Nations conference in New York, stated:
“In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described the move as “both historic and unprecedented,” noting that it was the first time Arab nations had openly condemned Hamas, demanded its disarmament, and signaled a willingness to normalize relations with Israel in the future.
Canada and the U.K. Raise Pressure on Israel
Following France’s lead, Canada announced that it will also recognize a Palestinian state in September, contingent on reforms by the Palestinian Authority, including holding elections in 2026 in which Hamas will be barred from participating.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Starmer recalled the British Cabinet to discuss the Gaza crisis, insisting that recognition will only be delayed if Israel allows more humanitarian aid, stops annexation of West Bank land, and commits to a long-term peace process.
Starmer added that Hamas must release hostages, agree to a ceasefire, disarm, and accept that it will play no role in Gaza’s future government.
Backlash from Israel and Hostage Survivors
These statements have been met with strong opposition from Israel and from survivors of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks.
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli former hostage, criticized Starmer’s plan:
“This risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message: that violence earns legitimacy.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this view, saying:
“A jihadist state on Israel’s border today will threaten Britain tomorrow. Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen.”
Even U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern, accusing the U.K. of “rewarding Hamas,” though he noted that Britain is free to adopt its own position.
The Corruption Factor: Why Hamas Rose in Power
The reality, often overlooked in the global debate, is that Hamas gained popularity because of deep dissatisfaction with the Palestinian Authority’s corruption and failures.
This is a key factor behind Hamas’ electoral victories in Gaza. Many Palestinians viewed the PA as incapable of governance and saw Hamas as the only alternative, despite its extremist ideology.
This dynamic makes Western ultimatums and Arab declarations complex: removing Hamas from power does not automatically create stability or peace.
Broader Implications
For Arab states, this new stance against Hamas is as much about countering Iranian influence as it is about peace. Hamas remains a client of Iran, and Tehran continues to rebuild its military capabilities. The fear among Arab governments is that Iranian proxies could destabilize the region and threaten their own security.
For the West, including the U.K., France, and Canada, these moves appear to be motivated partly by domestic political pressures. More than 250 British MPs signed a letter urging Starmer to recognize Palestine, while left-wing political forces such as Jeremy Corbyn’s new party have added further pressure.
A Christian Perspective: Stay Out of Israel’s Affairs
From a Christian point of view, these developments underscore a broader lesson: this is a conflict deeply rooted in history, religion, and regional politics—one that outsiders cannot resolve.
- Israel must determine its own future.
- Hamas initiated this conflict, and its actions have consequences.
- The Palestinian Authority is corrupt, and a simple declaration of statehood will not change that.
As a Christian, I believe it is not the role of outsiders—whether Christians, secularists, or other nations—to dictate the outcome. We can support humanitarian efforts and allow Israel to make its own security decisions, but the ultimate resolution rests in God’s hands.
Final Thoughts
This moment reveals both the complexity and the volatility of Middle Eastern politics. While 87% of Palestinians distrust their own leadership, external pressure alone cannot resolve the crisis.
Democracy without accountability leads to corruption; conflict without resolution leads to suffering.
In such a landscape, Christians are called to humility, to prayer, and to avoid foreign entanglements that distract from their own responsibilities.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today.