OPINION:
My 5-year-old isn’t a foreign policy strategist. He doesn’t sit in think tanks with a latte and a white paper, but he does know one crucial truth: If you start a fight, you don’t get rewarded with ice cream.
This is parenting 101. When he hits his little brother with a toy truck, he gets a timeout, not a sundae. Rewarding bad behavior guarantees one thing: more bad behavior. Yet somehow the leaders of Britain, France, Canada and Australia — nations that pride themselves on wisdom and political tradition — missed the memo.
This month, these governments plan to recognize a Palestinian state. Recognition used to depend on conditions: some nod toward peace, coexistence even a willingness to negotiate. Instead, after Hamas unleashed one of the bloodiest terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023 — with murders, kidnappings, a region plunged into chaos — those conditions vanished. Out came the ice cream.
I try to explain this to my son: “Imagine you knock over your brother’s LEGO tower, and instead of rebuilding it, I hand you a triple-scoop cone.” His eyes go wide. Just like that, I’ve guaranteed daily LEGO wars. Even a child can see the absurdity.
That brings me to the men holding the cones: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fresh from his 2024 election; French President Emmanuel Macron, Europe’s philosopher-king; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, former banker; and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, now in his second term.
Four seasoned leaders — yet are they really less discerning than a kindergartner? Anyone who has raised kids or even watched “Supernanny” knows the first rule: Tantrums shouldn’t earn treats.
Of course, they will dress it up in diplomatic jargon. “It advances peace” and “It gives hope.” Yet real life is governed by consequences, and the consequence of rewarding terrorism is always the same: more terrorism.
By recognizing a Palestinian state less than three years after Oct. 7, these governments are teaching that violence pays. That’s not moral clarity; it’s appeasement with a cherry on top.
Let’s be clear: There’s never enough ice cream for everyone. Once one bully learns violence earns a sundae, others will line up for extra whipped cream.
My 5-year-old gets it. If only prime ministers did too.
WARREN COHN
Hollywood, Florida
Correction: The wrong first name was previously given for the writer.
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