Deradicalizing Gaza is possible but will take decades, counterterrorism expert says

Deradicalizing Gaza could take decades following the October 7 war, new Reichman University International Institute for Counter Terrorism (ICT) Assaf Moghadam told The Jerusalem Post in a recent interview.“We always have to entertain that some measure of hope is possible. Otherwise we can simply despair in light of the challenges. I tend to think human beings are inherently good, that the potential is there,” he said.On the other hand, he said, “It is extremely difficult to do so [have hope] in a situation when so many social forces and environmental forces, and so many interests are working toward radicalizing, supporting and abetting the radicalizing of Gazans.“Deradicalization has to remain an aspiration. I continue to think it is possible. I have to realize something is very difficult to undertake. It is a long-term project of 20 to 40 years and only if we are able to undermine those who have an active interest in radicalization,” he noted.Why will Gaza deradicalization take a generation?Further, Moghadam stated, “We cannot just deradicalize an individual. We need to undermine individuals, undermine states, and institutional ideologies relentlessly.“People who are unborn who are growing up when Gaza is being rebuilt,” implying the current October 7 generation of Gazans is lost to the cause of deradicalization.Next, he said, “Even if we were doing legitimate self-defense, regarding the raw…