Posted on 02/03/2026 4:48:12 AM PST by MtnClimber
Yigal Carmon, President and cofounder of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), issued a blunt warning to President Trump in a Daily Brief published January 30, 2026: Hamas and similar Islamist groups are locked into a jihadist ideology that no amount of economic prosperity can break. Carmon argues that even if Gaza were rebuilt into a luxurious "Middle East Riviera" with beaches and hotels, these groups would still prioritize ideology such as martyrdom and Israel's destruction, over material comforts or the "good life" ideal, which he argues motivates the West. He points to pre-October 7 Gaza, where residents enjoyed restaurants, promenades, and modern buildings, and Hamas leaders' repeated rejection of generous statehood offers as evidence that ideology always prevails over incentives.
Carmon's focus on the enduring power of radical indoctrination is valid. Extremist beliefs are deeply rooted and resilient. Yet his view is overly pessimistic and overlooks how shared economic interests have repeatedly moderated conflict in the Middle East. Even though he doesn't buy into a stark binary, i.e., "Riviera or ideology," he nonetheless downplays prosperity and mutual investment as empirically successful mechanisms for creating new political realities, even among former adversaries.
History demonstrates that when parties gain a direct stake in peace through finance and security, behavior changes. The Abraham Accords provide the strongest recent proof. Starting in 2020, nations like the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, once aligned with anti-Israel rhetoric, normalized ties with Israel. This led to more than simple diplomatic gestures: direct flights, tech partnerships, tourism booms, energy deals, and billions in trade and investment. Emirati and Bahraini leaders, previously influenced by the same ideological currents, now oversee hotels, tech hubs, and ports that rely on stable relations with Israel. Their citizens encounter Israelis as tourists and business partners, normalizing what was once unthinkable.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
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Proserity or go BOOM? Which would HAMAS choose?
There will be NO peace in the Middle East until there is a Moslem Reformation and they REJECT their “convert to Islam or die” belief system!
Certainly cannot allow Islam to rule the world
There will be NO peace in the Middle East until after
the 7 Years of ‘Peace and Security’, Armageddon, and
The Actual Second Coming of Jesus Christ Himself to Earth
I know that people don’t believe me.
I understand.
Just watch what happens.
As soon as they say ‘Peace and Security’ have been achieved,
LOOK OUT
It will be declared for exactly 2,520 days
Wait until the middle of that 2,520 days world...
That’s right.
Jihad continues apace in Western civilization.
God bless you 😇🙏🛐🙏✝️
No amount of economic prosperity can change the mindset of a morally compromised or brainwashed individual. The cause isn’t lack of prosperity so prosperity isn’t going to fix it.
Same argument by leftists when defending poor, poor misunderstood boys hauled up in court for a violent crime: “they are underprivileged, no opportunity, etc”. No, some guys are just thugs. They are not fit to mingle among civilized beings.
Gaza should be razed. Adopt the Roman approach to Carthage. And, Britain’s approach to the Tsuggies.
If I were King for a day, I’d rule that Islam is a terrorist organization, and ban Islam in America!
.
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