Gaza analyst says peace impossible while Iran regime endures, in first address to Orthodox synagogue

A Palestinian analyst from Gaza has told a London synagogue audience that lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians is impossible while Iran’s current regime remains in power, warning that international peace efforts are failing and urging Jewish communities not to retreat in the face of hostility.

Speaking at Highgate Synagogue on Tuesday night, Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib said Tehran has spent decades deliberately fuelling instability by backing Hamas and other armed groups, preventing any realistic prospect of reconciliation.

“There will never be peace between Hamas and Israel as long as the Islamic Republic of Iran exists in its current shape and form,” Alkhatib said.

He argued that Iran’s involvement was not driven by concern for Palestinians but by a broader regional strategy aimed at blocking normalisation between Israel and Arab states and keeping the conflict unresolved. Alkhatib said Hamas had been enabled, armed and financed as part of that strategy, with Gaza paying the price.

The event was jointly hosted by Highgate Synagogue and Jewish News and attended by community leaders and members of the public.

Alkhatib, a US citizen now based in Washington DC, delivered a sharp critique of current international proposals for Gaza’s future governance, including the proposed “Board of Peace”.

He described the initiative as “a farce” and “a disaster”, arguing that it risked entrenching corruption and external interests rather than dismantling extremist control or giving Palestinians genuine agency.

Reflecting on his own position, Alkhatib told the audience: “I’m not here as a victim. I’m a survivor.”

Addressing the Jewish audience directly, Alkhatib spoke about the pressures facing Jewish communities amid rising antisemitism and polarisation, urging confidence rather than retreat.

“Don’t be apologetic about your Jewish identity,” he said. “You don’t need to apologise for being pro-Israel.”

The evening was opened by Jewish News news editor and co-publisher Justin Cohen, who framed the discussion as part of Jewish News’ commitment to challenging extremism while continuing dialogue beyond the Jewish community.

“Supporting the rights of Palestinians doesn’t mean turning your back on the basic rights of Israelis and Jews,” Cohen said.

Cohen also highlighted Alkhatib’s engagement with Israeli hostage families in both the UK and the United States, despite Alkhatib having lost more than 30 members of his own extended family in Gaza during the war.

The discussion was chaired by Rabbi Liss, who said the aim of the event was to expose the community to complex perspectives at a moment of heightened tension.

The event took place amid continued mourning within Jewish communities over victims of terrorism and war.