The question that every Western candidate should answer: "Do you support a Palestinian state likely to be led by Hamas?"

Yesterday, Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz told a public radio station, "We can't allow what's happened in Gaza to happen. The Palestinian people have every right to life and liberty themselves. We need to continue to put the leverage on to make sure we move toward a two-state solution. I think we're at a critical point right now. We need the Netanyahu government to start moving in that direction, We’ve said it and continue to say it, getting a cease-fire with the return of the hostages, and then moving towards a sustainable, two-state solution is the only way forward." 

The phrase "two state solution" has been a mantra for years among Democratic leaders. It seems to be a safe, universally accepted idea, only oppose by crazed right wingers and Jewish extremists. 

Politicians in the US especially but also in Canada and Europe have been repeating the phrase "two state solution" as their shorthand for claiming to be pro-Israel.  That is pretty much the only criterion for J-Street to throw their support behind leftist candidates, even if they are virulently anti-Israel in every respect. 

However, since October 7, that safe political position should not be safe. Every poll taken in the West Bank and Gaza since October 7 shows Palestinians overwhelmingly support Hamas over every other political party. The Gaza polls are suspect, but there is little doubt that Hamas would win in a free election today.

Anyone who is saying they support a Palestinian state today is supporting a Hamas-led state. Either the candidates know this or they don't know this, and either way it shows that they are unqualified for office.

Rather than look at the "two state" issue as a mere checkmark for candidates, the media should ask the question as "Do you support a Palestinian state likely to be led by Hamas?" If the answer is no, then they must answer how they could ensure that Hamas would not lead a democratic Palestinian Arab state, or if they prefer a brutal Fatah-led dictatorship, which is the only other option at this time.

George W. Bush went through all of this during the last Palestinian election, apparently convinced that democratic elections were a magic formula to ensure moderate leaders. The result was that Hamas was elected and the Western world was forced to jump through hoops to say they support democracy but don't support Hamas. 

Today, no one could claim to be surprised that Hamas would lead any Palestinian state - whether through elections or through civil war.

The hypnotic appeal of the phrase "two state solution" must be pierced. And it is up to the media to ensure that every candidate answers the basic question of how they can support a Palestinian state where a majority of people support not only Hamas but also the October 7 massacres.

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