For years, Israeli and Western leaders believed that improving economic conditions for Palestinian Arabs would reduce violence, a theory shattered by the events of October 7. The article argues that prosperity did not deter radicalism, as seen in both the First Intifada and the recent massacre, which occurred during a period of relative economic stability in Gaza. Attempts at democratization, such as the 2006 elections, led to the rise of Hamas and brutal internal conflict, further undermining hopes for peace through Western models. The author contends that international calls for a Palestinian Arab state after the massacre reward violence rather than discourage it, and warns that only Israel's own military can ensure its security, not international forces or peacekeeping missions.