Issa Kassis, born in Jerusalem in 1967, is the mayor of Ramallah in the West Bank. After spending time in the United States to study and work in the financial sector, he returned to his homeland and dedicated himself to serving the Palestinian people. He speaks slowly, choosing his words with care, and acknowledges that he now faces more challenging situations than ever. When discussing the occupation, he emphasizes the need to focus not on tanks and soldiers, but on the moment when dreams are crushed and tomorrow seems distant. He warns that anything may happen at this critical juncture.
He asserts that the core Israel–Palestine problem did not begin with Hamas’s October 7 attack. The question then becomes whether the scale of the Gaza militias’ assault surprised him.
Before October 7, there was a long history of pain, bloodshed, and the erasure of identities for many who left Palestine. The siege of Gaza, assaults in the West Bank, settler violence—all contribute to a widening rift. People leave, questions arise, and the use of such violence becomes conceivable to those who feel powerlessness. While the act was shocking, he recognizes the underlying drivers and hopes the rupture does not spread to the West Bank, given its proximity to Gaza and the daily trauma—raids, arrests, and widespread suffering—that persist there. He insists that, although Hamas’s attack cannot be justified, it is perhaps understandable within a broader context.
Can one understand Hamas’s attack?
He replies that liberation cannot be achieved through such methods. It is not the path of the twenty‑first century. Civilians are affected, and the ground realities in Palestine show a place where normal life is nearly impossible. Children live under siege and endure daily attacks, and such conditions breed anger and desperation among those who have experienced immense loss.
What, in his view, is the path to liberation for Palestine?
There were failed negotiations in the past, but a modest achievement came with the 1993 Israeli–Palestinian framework. He believes Israel does recognize the Palestinian Authority’s efforts in the West Bank and envisions a state with functioning institutions, policing, and economic opportunity. The occupation, he argues, cannot continue. The world, as free peoples, should support Palestinians’ right to determine their own future and establish a capital in Jerusalem. He insists Israel cannot expect to press for less while undermining progress in the West Bank. Lessons from Gaza should guide future steps in the West Bank to prevent repetition of tragic outcomes there.
Is there a risk that something similar to Gaza could happen in the West Bank?
Yes, the risk exists. While nobody wants more suffering, it remains a possibility. Olive harvest seasons have seen settler violence and injuries, and the current situation cannot be allowed to persist. Control over people must not become a license for escalation, and he cautions that the region must avoid another October 7 scenario.
What is his view of Israel’s counter‑military actions after Hamas’s attack?
He questions what Israel seeks to achieve. If the aim is to erase Hamas, that approach is flawed because Hamas represents an ideology rather than a single organization. He describes it as a liberation movement and argues that the only durable way forward is through dialogue, even when the path seems difficult. Direct talks remain essential, and constructive voices on the Israeli left could influence a more peaceful course in future elections.
Is Gaza’s situation markedly worse than in the West Bank?
Indeed, Gaza is in a bleaker state. Bombings and loss of life are devastating there, while the West Bank faces land confiscation and escalating violence. Seeing one’s land taken away would provoke a profound response from any community, underscoring the desperation felt by many Palestinians across both territories.
How is life in the West Bank after October 7?
The situation has deteriorated rapidly. Settler attacks have intensified, armed confrontations have increased, and a sense of vengeance lingers. The presence and actions of occupation forces often appear passive or protective of aggressors, amplifying the threat and risk for civilians. The overall climate is extremely grave.
Why does the tension endure?
Because the West Bank remains under occupation, with roughly three million people living in a tightly constrained space. The potential for another widespread crisis persists if daily violence and systemic restrictions continue. The people hold on to hope for peace and a future where Palestinians can live without fear, rather than dying for a cause.
Could Palestinian leadership fractures deepen after this crisis?
The crisis has weakened leadership in several ways. It’s clear that Gaza remains outside their direct control, and the West Bank is increasingly difficult to govern as public anger grows. People take to the streets, and authorities struggle to manage the outcry. The Hamas militias form part of the Palestinian mosaic. In Ramallah, a modern, open, liberal, and hopeful city exists, while Gaza remains marked by misery and lost opportunities. The world must decide which model it supports: Ramallah and other West Bank cities or a spectrum of misery in Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza acted under pressure; the West Bank must avoid reaching that point.
Does he see room for dialogue even amid disaster?
Yes. He believes dialogue always has space, though it may be limited by the current Israeli government. Still, he remains hopeful that thoughtful voices on the Israeli left will muster the courage to speak up, perhaps shifting policy in future elections. In the meantime, the path forward is through conversation and mutual recognition, not through unilateral moves that deepen despair. [Citation: contextual analysis of regional dynamics and historical grievances, as summarized by regional observers and researchers.]