As Hamas hostages remain in captivity and the war in Gaza continues, polarizing forces are growing stronger, making the Israeli-Palestinian divide seem insurmountable.
Rigid and blind anti- and pro-Israeli camps, both in the region and beyond, demonize each other, refusing to take into account each other’s fears, suffering, rights or even humanity. .
PHOTO VALAURIAN WALLER, THE NEW YORK TIMES ARCHIVES
Peace protest on the University of Michigan–Dearborn campus in October 2023
An example of this is the toxic rhetoric brandished by some of the many pro-Palestinian supporters in the United States, especially, but also elsewhere in the West. Some slogans at street protests and on campuses often go far beyond calling for a ceasefire or an end to the occupation, and go as far as denying Israel’s right to exist within all borders, to the glorification of the horrors of October 7 and the incitement to anti-Semitism and violence, as denounced this week by American President Joe Biden.
In doing so, demonstrators align themselves with Hamas and its allies (Iran, Hezbollah), who remain determined to destroy Israel and do not hide their objective.
Meanwhile, many Israelis have hardened their hearts to the plight of the Palestinians; they did so well before October 7, but certainly more significantly since then. Unlike their counterparts in the rest of the world, Israeli media say little about the misery civilians in Gaza are experiencing as a result of the Israeli military campaign. Unfortunately, denial and rationalization of this misery are the norm.
Extremist rhetoric is also abundant on the Israeli side, from Prime Minister Netanyahu to his Kahanist ministers, who promote the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank in particular.
These leaders vilify on a large scale not only the Palestinians, but anyone – including Israeli – who criticizes their government, thus justifying a war without an exit strategy and the increasingly stubborn annexation of the occupied territories.
Yes, it is extremely difficult to confront an enemy like Hamas, with its uncompromising ideology and cruel tactic of hiding its fighters among civilian populations. Yet Israel cannot shirk its responsibility for the massive humanitarian disaster in Gaza and its own part in the escalation of the conflict.
A possible outcome
Contrary to what polarizing movements might have you believe, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be resolved. Not easily, not overnight. But the answer is there, and has been for decades: a territorial compromise, two states for two peoples thanks to a negotiated peace agreement. To achieve this, we need astute diplomacy, rapprochement and, above all, visionary leadership.
PHOTO RONALDO SCHEMIDT, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Minute of silence in Jerusalem on May 6, in memory of the victims of the Holocaust
As we enter a period of special commemorations in Israel and Palestine, we can expect the rhetoric on both sides to become more strident and more controversial. Commemorations of the Holocaust, the Nakba, fallen Israeli soldiers and Israeli independence will take place over the next two weeks. We hope that these will be opportunities not to deepen hatreds, but to broaden understanding. To look beyond narrow tribalism. To recognize the pains and aspirations of “the other”. To work towards an approach and solutions that are both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian.
In this spirit, we recommend the joint Israeli-Palestinian Remembrance Day ceremony on May 12.
Also in this spirit, we salute the peaceful organization Peace Now Israel, the most significant peace movement in Israel’s history.
Every day, these peace activists denounce the violence and madness of the occupation. Every day, they raise their voices on the need to end the conflict through a two-state solution. Every day they fight for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians. Since 1978, they have courageously and tirelessly been Israel’s leading voice for peace.
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reference: www.lapresse.ca