The hard truth is that it takes two to make peace, and it takes two to engage in violence. The harder truth is that both sides in this conflict are accountable and need to step up and accept that accountability. Maybe the hardest truth at this point is that after decades of conflict, it is pretty clear that the Israelis and Palestinians do not like each, cannot get along, and will likely not close that gap anytime soon. And so the political process as we know it, including the now officially canceled Oslo Accords and understandings created since 1993, should be considered a dead end.
In 1987, as a junior in high school, I wrote my big high school research paper arguing the fact that the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict would never end. But Oslo, at the time, even gave me hope. But now, the thought that the process Rabin started over two decades ago, the process that so many held with such hope and promise, is dead is a sad reality Israelis, Palestinians, and the world must face. We probably should have faced it long ago (and some did), but Abbas' speech today and I am assuming, Netanyahu's speech tomorrow, will put the proverbial nails in the coffin.
That's not to say that there is no hope. There HAS to be hope. Despite how both sides may feel about the extreme elements within the other, the fact is that the majority of the common, decent people are suffering. Make no mistake, human-beings are caught in the cross-fire, and the humanitarianism in us all must reawaken and recommit to finding a way out of the mess.
This past summer, sitting on a rooftop in Jaffa, listening to the rush of the waters and the sleeping city, I discussed an idea that should be looked at as a potential seedling, a potential starting point. As was explained to me, to this point over all of these years, the world has expected two sworn enemies to eventually become peaceful neighbors.
The peace process has been predicated on Reconciliation followed by Resolution. Since 1993, the world assumed that Oslo would spark such reconciliation. The handshake on the lawn between Prime Minister Rabin and Yassir Arafat gave us hope that such reconciliation would one day occur. But again, today that dream has died.It is time to try again. And maybe this time, we have to look at the process in reverse. Maybe this time, instead of Reconciliation leading to Resolution, the equation should be flipped. What would happen if the world mediated a reasonable compromise and imposed Resolution, hoping that one day, maybe after decades of disengagement, Reconciliation would come.
Yes. I realize that that is easier said than done. In order to come to an equitable Resolution, both sides would have to compromise on elements never compromised before - land, resources, Right of Return, border security (especially along the Jordanian border), and others. I also realize that to achieve such a Resolution, there will be many angered on both sides of the conflict. Then again, when we look closer - who will really be angry at a reasonable, equitable resolution? A. The Settlers; B. The Terrorists. Yes, that is simplifying things, but those are the majorities that would be seriously angered. Others may pissed, but they would likely adapt.
Truth be told, I am not a huge fan of others imposing their will on Israel. In fact, I have never been a huge proponent of giving up parts of Judea/Samaria and Jerusalem. Those that know me, know that I am staunchly pro-Israel, but even I can evolve. Even folks like me must take a step back and consider that the old way just is not working. That being said, maybe it is time to concede and think outside the box. Maybe it is time to appoint a Peace Commission tasked with arbitrating an equitable solution that is binding. And maybe, that resolution will lead to reconciliation decades down the road.
Gotta have hope...
Thanks, Didi.
