Part 6/9:
Sheridan argues that normalization—stabilizing the region and establishing a period of peace—must precede any formal statehood recognition. He estimates that a 5 to 10-year period of relative calm would be necessary before conditions for a Palestinian state could be realistically considered. Yet, he points out that the deep-rooted hostility, especially from groups like Hamas, makes such normalization difficult. Hamas’s charter contains overt anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli sentiments, which reinforce the cycle of conflict.