Liel Leibovitz, editor-at-large for Tablet and host of the Rootless podcast, joined Chicago’s Morning Answer with Dan Proft to react to European Union proposals for Gaza reconstruction and President Trump’s pointed remarks at the United Nations.
Leibovitz dismissed EU President Ursula von der Leyen’s pledge to fund Gaza’s rebuilding and push for a two-state solution, arguing that past aid had only empowered Hamas to build terror tunnels and sponsor violence against civilians. He likened the approach to repeating failed policies and described it as a dangerous concession to terrorism. Citing history, he said Palestinian leadership has repeatedly rejected peace initiatives, instead choosing armed conflict with Israel.
Turning to Trump’s UN address, Leibovitz praised the former president for rejecting calls to reward terrorism with statehood and for drawing clear lines about the incompatibility of Western values with extremist ideologies. He noted that Trump’s approach contrasts with European leaders who, in his view, are undermining their own nations by pursuing policies that ignore history and embolden hostile actors.
Leibovitz also discussed reports of a U.S.-backed regional framework under consideration, involving Arab peacekeeping forces, reconstruction funding, and Israel’s eventual withdrawal from Gaza. While skeptical of international peacekeepers, he acknowledged the urgency of securing the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas and said temporary compromises may be necessary for humanitarian reasons.
Ultimately, Leibovitz argued that defeating Hamas is essential not only for Israel’s security but for the survival of Western civilization. He warned that Europe’s decline illustrates what happens when nations surrender their core values, stressing that the United States must remain vigilant to avoid the same fate.