Arab League calls for the disarming of Hamas

July 31, 2025

Statement of Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Jim Berk on the Arab League’s call for the disarming of Hamas

“The Simon Wiesenthal Center welcomes the Arab League’s unprecedented call for Hamas to disarm and transfer control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, as well as its push to end incitement in Palestinian schools. These steps mark a significant and positive shift toward rejecting extremism and embracing a pathway to peace. 

However, we strongly oppose the Arab League’s call to restore UNRWA to Gaza, given its role in promoting antisemitism, the Arab League’s support for the ICJ’s politicized genocide case, and its failure to acknowledge any Jewish claims to Jerusalem.

We also condemn the premature recognition of Palestinian statehood by France, the UK, and now Canada. Such recognition, while 50 Israelis remain hostage and Hamas remains intact, rewards terror and undermines moderate Palestinian voices.

Statehood must follow, not precede: the release of all hostages, the dismantling of Hamas, and the formal recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Importantly, the dismantling of Hamas must include the complete disqualification of any Hamas member from participating in future Palestinian governance. Peaceful coexistence cannot endure if Palestinian governance is undermined by supporters of terror and violence.

The Arab League’s declaration is an opportunity for the global community to unite behind one clear mandate: Hamas must be dismantled for peace to have a chance; only then can a potential Palestinian state eventually live side-by-side with the Jewish state of Israel.”

For further information, please email Erik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, Deborah Camiel at dcamiel@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your X feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).