The “Double Game” in the Palestinian Arena

INSS Insight No. 720

The “Double Game” in the Palestinian Arena: A Platform for Increased Terrorism

by Kobi Michael and Udi Dekel, INSS

The double game is a tool used by actors in the Palestinian arena allowing vacillation on the pragmatism-ideology axis. However, this double game could result in the loss of control of the situation. In order to reduce that risk, Israel would do well to adopt an integrated policy.

Vis-à-vis the PA, Israel must avoid canceling the relief measures it has granted toward better daily life in the West Bank, and strengthen security coordination with the PA.

At the same time, it must act decisively in the international arena against the PA’s confrontational policy and reveal the PA’s true colors, emphasizing the latter’s policy on undermining Gaza reconstruction efforts and its incitement to violence and encouragement of radicalism. When it comes to Hamas, Israel must avoid cooperating with the organization’s double game in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, treat Hamas as a unified entity, be it in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, and prevent it from establishing the rules of the game to suit itself.

Israel must make it clear to Hamas that it will not promote any understandings that allow the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip if the organization continues to try to shift its main arena of terrorism to the West Bank and/or the Sinai Peninsula.

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