Deradicalizing Gaza is possible but will take decades, counterterrorism expert says
TERRORISM AFFAIRS: The new ICT director also wants to expand partnerships abroad, saying counter-terrorism is one field where the world still wants to talk to Israel.
Deradicalizing Gaza following the October 7 war could take up to four decades, according to a counterterrorism expert. Assaf Moghadam, from the Reichman University International Institute for Counter Terrorism (ICT), spoke to The Jerusalem Post about the challenges of changing the minds of Gazans radicalized by various social, environmental, and ideological forces.
While Moghadam believes that human beings have the potential for goodness, he acknowledges the immense difficulty in achieving deradicalization in a society where radicalization is supported and encouraged.
The greatest obstacle to deradicalization lies in the ongoing radicalization efforts of individuals, institutions, and states, as well as the difficulty in changing the perspectives of future generations born during Gaza's reconstruction. Moghadam also noted that even in the context of self-defense, the traumatic experiences of Gazans cannot be dismissed, as they have a limited understanding of the complexities involved.
He emphasized that long-term reduction of violence and the possibility of normal relations would require increased empathy from both sides.
As the director of ICT, Moghadam plans to focus on broadening the scope of their research, building international partnerships, and emphasizing the importance of collaboration with institutions that may not always be politically correct. He also highlighted the unique experiences of ICT students, many of whom have been directly involved in counterterrorism, and expressed a desire to provide them with a supportive environment to further their understanding of terrorism and counterterrorism efforts.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
