Letter from Larry Shapiro, Calgary to Editor, Wall Street Journal on August 12, 2025 responding to Anthony Blinken's misguided article that recognizing Palestine is a rebuke to Hamas

Dear Editor,

With respect for the brilliant Anthony Blinken, he has it all wrong, Recognizing Palestine, rather than being a rebuke to Hamas, rewards it for its intransigence that has led to Israel prolonging the war resulting in the recognition of Palestine as a punishment of the Jewish state. Hamas could not have orchestrated it any better,. Palestinians will credit Hamas for the recognition resulting in the inevitable takeover of Palestine by Hamas The recognition of Palestine also gives Hamas license to avoid signing a cease fire deal with Israel or returning the hostages. All it has to do is hold on until the world community, influenced by Hamas Propaganda exaggerating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza inflicts another punishment on Israel such as banning weapons sales with will weaken it. Hamas would love a weaker Israel.

Larry Shapiro, Calgary