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Prof. Kobi Michael: I think the very fact that such a plan was introduced indicates a huge gap in the American understanding of Palestinian society.
The proposal is explicitly contingent on Hamas fully disarming and dismantling its tunnel network — a prerequisite that many analysts say would be difficult to achieve and sustain. Even if security conditions improve, skeptics question whether investors would risk billions of dollars in a region vulnerable to renewed conflict.
Winning Palestinian support may prove equally challenging. The idea that it will be done by foreigners is not accepted by the Palestinians themselves, calling it a new version of colonialism or imperialism.