“It's difficult to know how you accomplish that if you deny the people of Gaza any social or economic progress."
Lord Patten, who is president of Medical Aid for Palestinians, also said it is unreasonable to insist Hamas accept all past agreements before direct talks take place.
Pointing to his experience with the Northern Ireland peace process, he said that rather than weakening Hamas, by isolating the militant group "you strengthen people who are even more extreme than they are.
"You don't always agree with people you talk to – indeed sometimes you find them despicable – but you need to ease them out of the corners into which they've painted themselves rather than lay on the paint much thicker.”
However he added: “It’s wholly reasonable to say we couldn't deal with Hamas unless they agreed to a comprehensive and complete ceasefire.”
Despite his criticisms, Lord Patten, an observant Catholic who is overseeing the Pope’s visit to the UK in September, spoke against campaigns by pro-Palestinians to boycott Israel.
He said. “I don’t think a boycott would help. It could have the reverse consequences to those intended."
