Legislation and policies are needed that prioritize economic responsibility to ensure the prosperity and well-being of future generations
The loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives is a tragedy. The Israel-Hamas war needs to be resolved quickly and followed by a solution for long-term peace in the region. However, the underlying conflict is many decades old and achieving these goals is easier said than done.
In the near term, a cease-fire in conjunction with the release all Israeli hostages is paramount. Upon release of the hostages, Hamas and Israel need to withdraw their forces with international peacekeepers assuming responsibility for security and distributing humanitarian aid. Regional countries and allies of Israel and the Palestinians, including the United States, Europe, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Arab League need to pressure Israel and Hamas to engage in ceasefire/hostage release negotiations.
In the longer-term, a two-state solution is needed with the new Palestinian nation committed to working with Israel to achieve peace, security, and prosperity. As a January 22 article in the Washington Post [1] notes:
“The notion of two states for two peoples is broadly supported in the international community, including by the United States, the E.U. and the United Nations.”
The article reported “12-point plan to revitalize diplomatic talks” being discussed in Brussels where “European foreign ministers met with counterparts from Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as representatives of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Arab League.” A copy of the plan acquired by the Post states that the plan
“aims to address the conflict and occupation that preceded the Gaza war and that, if left unaddressed, must be expected to lead to further wars”
The plan also states
“There is no credible comprehensive solution other than an independent Palestinian State living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, with full normalization and substantive development of security and economic cooperation between Israel, Palestine and the region”
Considerations for arriving at a Palestinian state peacefully existing alongside Israel include:
- Both sides have incurred grievous losses and pain and both sides need to acknowledge the mutual suffering and recognize that further conflict will only result in more needless loss of life and destruction of property. Healing will take much time but needs to begin. A CNN article discussed how Israelis and Palestinians acknowledgement of each other’s trauma can increase reconciliation. [2]
- Hamas should be disbanded and new leadership is needed for the Palestinian people. This leadership and the new Palestinian state must recognize Israel’s right to exist in peace and security.
- Israeli’s need to recognize that a self-determining Palestinian state is a credible path to lasting peace and security and that the continued construction of settlements in the West Bank is counterproductive towards that goal. Recent statements by the current Israeli government indicate it is opposed to a two-state solution and post-war elections could result a government with a different perspective.
- Israeli-Palestinian peace would be a huge benefit to neighboring countries and the world. Similar to the ceasefire negotiations, the United States, Europe, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Arab League need to push Israel and Palestinians to engage in negotiations for a two-state solution. The Washington Post article notes
“Middle Eastern countries represented in Brussels on Monday have also been working to end the conflict, with Saudi Arabia explicitly tying normalization of relations with Israel to a credible path to Palestinian statehood.“
- Regional commitments for funding to rebuild Gaza and evolve the West bank could be used to incentivize Palestinian to participate in good-faith negotiations. Likewise, continued long-term U.S. funding and support could be an incentive for Israeli participation in negotiations.
1. “Israel steps up Khan Younis assault; pressure mounts over two-state solution”, By Loveday Morris, Emily Rauhala and Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, January 22, 2024. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/22/israel-gaza-hamas-eu-two-state/
2. “Opinion: Psychology explains why the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is so intractable,” Nafees Hamid, CNN, January 16, 2024. www.cnn.com/2024/01/16/opinions/opinion-psychology-of-israeli-palestinian-conflict-hamid/index.html