Expert predicts decades required to deradicalize Gaza after conflict

Assaf Moghadam, the new director of the Reichman University International Institute for Counter Terrorism, stated that the process of deradicalizing Gaza will likely take between 20 and 40 years. In a recent interview with The Jerusalem Post, he explained that while the potential for change exists, the current environment presents significant obstacles. He noted that numerous social, environmental, and political forces are actively working to sustain and support radicalization in the region.

Moghadam emphasized that deradicalization must remain a long-term aspiration. He argued that it is not enough to focus solely on individuals. Instead, the effort requires a relentless approach to undermining specific people, states, and institutional ideologies. He suggested that the generation of Gazans who lived through the events of October 7 is largely lost to the cause, meaning the real work will begin with those who are currently unborn or growing up during the reconstruction of Gaza.

The expert highlighted the psychological impact of war on children in Gaza. He observed that for a child, the raw and destructive nature of the conflict matters more than the justification for the war. This limited perspective makes empathy difficult. He added that Israeli society has struggled to be inclusive and sympathize with Gazan suffering, largely because the trauma experienced in recent years was the worst the Jewish people have faced since the Holocaust.

For a long-term reduction in violence and the establishment of normal relations, Moghadam said both sides need to develop greater sympathy for one another. He described this as a necessary step for any semblance of future stability between Israel and whatever entity emerges in Gaza. The challenge remains significant, but he believes human nature is inherently good, which provides a basis for hope.

As the new director of the International Institute for Counter Terrorism, Moghadam outlined three primary priorities for his tenure. The first is to broaden the scope of the institute's work. He noted that the boundaries of terrorism are eroding, so the institute must analyze terror in a broader context, including its relationship to other forms of extremism. The second priority is to strengthen international partnerships with think tanks and practitioners in Europe and the United States.

Moghadam stressed the importance of these international collaborations, especially given that Israel is viewed as a pariah in many parts of the world. He argued that in the fields of security studies and counterterrorism, global partners still recognize the value of engaging with Israel, even if it is not always politically convenient. This dialogue allows for mutual learning and keeps Israel connected to the global academic community.

The institute itself is a leading hub for terror studies, with 10 full-time faculty members and a master's program that enrolls 55 students. The undergraduate program has between 40 and 50 students. Moghadam noted that there are only a handful of such master's programs in counterterrorism worldwide, making the institute a unique resource for the field.

Moghadam also addressed the recent riots in France and other European countries, where groups with an anti-Israel orientation have been prominent. He said Israel is not surprised by these developments, though they are unwelcome. He challenged European officials to be honest with themselves about their obsessive focus on Israel as the primary adversary, suggesting it might be worth revisiting that stance.

Finally, he spoke about the unique background of the institute's students. Many have served in the armed forces and have had direct, personal encounters with terrorism. A large number, around 500, were seriously wounded. Moghadam expressed a desire for the institute to become the academic home for these individuals, allowing them to contribute their practical experience to the study and understanding of terror.