John Mearsheimer

So I think the Israelis would prefer that the Palestinians roll over and accept submission.

In terms of

the people who live in Gaza to include the elites and the people who live in the West Bank to include the elites, they would much prefer to move to some sort of situation where the Palestinians have a state of their own.

I think in the case of the PA,

Under Abbas, they would accept a two-state solution.

I think what at this point in time Hamas wants is a one-state solution, but they want peace.

All of them want peace.

You know, the two different sets of leadership in Palestine and the Israelis.

So you think Hamas wants peace?

Sure, but on its own terms.

That's the point.

What does peace look like for Hamas?

At this point in time, I think peace basically means a greater Israel controlled by Palestine or Palestinians.

I think at this point in time, that's their principal goal.

I do believe, and there have been hints over time, Jimmy Carter has said this, that Hamas can be convinced that a two-state solution, assuming that the Palestinians get a viable solution,

state of their own, that Hamas would buy into that.

Can we say that with a high degree of certainty?

No.

But I think the Israelis should have pursued that possibility.

They should have worked with Abbas.