The current situation for Israel and Jews worldwide has become alarming. Despite our mission to be a \u201clight unto the nations\u201d (Isaiah 42:6), Israel has become one of the most vilified\u00a0nations in history. Our image worldwide has possibly never been lower. PM Netanyahu\u2019s speech at the UN General Assembly was delivered to a mostly empty chamber. Many nations that had previously been supportive have recently become extremely critical.\n<\/p>\n
Antisemitism has never been so widespread, even during the darkest days of World War Two and anti-Jewish acts are taking place somewhere in the world every day, even in traditionally friendly and supportive nations such as England, France, other European nations, the United States, Australia, and now even in Africa and South America. Many Jews on college campuses have been ridiculed, bullied, and oppressed, and Jews worldwide are increasingly fearful. Many are afraid to exhibit their Jewish identity publicly.\n<\/p>\n
Israeli athletes are being banned from international sporting events; Israeli films are being excluded from international film festivals; moves are afoot everywhere to shun Israeli professionals, scientists, artists, medical practitioners, musicians, singers and academics; Jews are threatened when traveling on trips abroad; Jewish and Israeli-owned eateries, manufacturers, food producers and other companies linked to Jews and Israel are becoming targets of boycotts, vandalism, and hatred; there are\u00a0calls to suspend trade agreements everywhere. All this is sparking severe economic damage for Israel.\n<\/p>\n
There has been an increase in criticism of Israel, even among Jews in Israel, the US, and other countries, contributing to a negative migration balance, with young and talented Israelis leaving the country, contributing to shortages in key areas, such as health, education, and hi-tech. For example, 79,000 Israelis left in 2024, while only 46,000 made aliyah or returned home. This is especially worrisome since antisemitism has become so widespread throughout the Diaspora.\n<\/p>\n
The chances of normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations have been dramatically reduced.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
A major reason for the above is Israel\u2019s response to the horrendous massacre by Hamas on October 7, 2023.\u00a0Of course, Israel had the right to respond forcefully. However, when people saw that tens of thousands of Gazans lost their lives, most Gazans were forced to relocate several times, and Gaza was turned to rubble, many, including long-time supporters, considered Israel very negatively.\n<\/p>\n
Especially concerning are the acts of blatant terrorism against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria. In despicable\u00a0acts of violence, assailants have burned Palestinian homes and other property, destroyed olive orchards, robbed or slaughtered Palestinian herds of sheep, and wounded and even\u00a0killed innocent civilians.\n<\/p>\n
The seriousness of the situation is indicated by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar telling PM Netanyahu that \u201cWest Bank Jewish terror is bringing Israel to the brink of disaster.\u201d Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the attacks as \u201cshocking and serious.\u201d A Jerusalem Post editorial indicated that \u201cThe situation [in Judea and Samaria] is close to anarchy, and the government doesn\u2019t appear able or willing to do something about it.\u201d IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called attacks against Palestinian civilians and Israeli soldiers in the area \u201cmorally and ethically unacceptable, and a major strategic impediment.\u201d This will unquestionably worsen the problems.\n<\/p>\n
The situation will likely become even worse if efforts to annex Judea and Samaria continue, including plans to build in the E1 area connecting Jerusalem and Ma\u2019aleh Adumim, despite protests from the US and other countries.\n<\/p>\n
While there is much that we can be very proud of as Jews and Israelis in terms of our values, traditions, and accomplishments, we have not always lived up to the teaching indicated 36 times in various formulations in the Torah that we should be kind and tolerant to and not oppress the stranger, \u201cfor we were strangers in the land of Egypt.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Along with many others, I am deeply\u00a0concerned about Israel\u2019s future, so I am presenting a proposal that I believe provides the best hope for a positive future for Israel, Jews worldwide, and, indeed, the world as a whole.\n<\/p>\n
Our best chance for a positive future is to strive vigorously, along with supportive nations, for a two-state resolution of the conflict with the Palestinians. Unfortunately, this is a minority view among Jewish Israelis, but it is our only remaining hope for peace and a resolution to the never-ending conflict. This view is supported by most world leaders, the majority of US Democrats, and, most importantly, by Commanders for Israeli Security (CIS), an organization composed of over 550 retired Mossad, Shin Bet, IDF, Israeli police, and Israeli diplomatic leaders. These are people especially familiar with the present situation with the Palestinians who are \u201cconvinced that the continued slide toward a one-state reality jeopardizes Israel\u2019s future as the strong democratic home of the Jewish people and perpetuates the conflict.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
While many will no doubt disagree with this analysis, I hope my article sparks a respectful dialogue that, with the input of minds far wiser and more knowledgeable than mine, leads to positive results. No matter your views, I hope you will allow me to explain.\n<\/p>\n
Responses to common objections to my proposal are below.\n<\/p>\n
1. Wouldn\u2019t providing the Palestinians with a state be a reward for Hamas and its horrific attack on October 7, 2023?\n<\/p>\n
Response: No, because Hamas does not support a two-state resolution, but only the complete destruction of Israel as a Jewish state. Also, the most important issue is what is best for Israel, not what Hamas or other critics of Israel think.\n<\/p>\n
2. Since our pulling out of Gaza led to such deadly consequences for Israel, shouldn\u2019t we be concerned about military attacks from a Palestinian state?\n<\/p>\n
Response: The big mistake that former PM Ariel Sharon made that led to such negative results was pulling out of Gaza unilaterally. In sharp contrast, a two-state resolution would be negotiated and require a demilitarized Palestinian state, enforceable security guarantees, and no governmental role for Hamas.\n<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 How can we ensure that a Palestinian state will remain demilitarized and not attack Israel?\n<\/p>\n
Response: A Palestinian state would recognize our ability to identify security violations and our ability to respond very forcefully, as we did in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. They would realize their state could be destroyed if they failed to meet its security obligations.\n<\/p>\n
4. Is there a partner for peace on the Palestinian side?\n<\/p>\n
With the guidance and training of its paramilitary police force by the United States, the Palestinian Authority, headquartered in Ramallah, has provided valuable cooperation with Israeli\u00a0security forces.\n<\/p>\n
Also, the Arab peace initiative, also known as the Saudi initiative, is a proposal for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that was endorsed by the Arab League in 2002 and re-endorsed in 2007 and 2017.] The initiative offers normalization of relations by the Arab League members with Israel, with the possibility of comparable and mutually agreed minor swaps of the land between Israel and Palestine.\n<\/p>\n
Finally, with awareness of the severe drawbacks of rejecting a resolution and the many benefits of accepting one, the possibility of the Palestinians coming to the negotiating table would increase significantly. If they failed to do so, the world would recognize who the obstacle to peace really is.\n<\/p>\n
5. How about the future of the current Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria?\n<\/p>\n
Response: The resolution would include a territorial swap that would keep most residents of Judea and Samaria within Israel. Other residents would be financially compensated for relocating in Israel.\n<\/p>\n
6. How can we justify giving up land in Judea and Samaria that has such great significance in Jewish history?\n<\/p>\n
Response: Yes, this would be extremely painful. But it can be justified by recognizing it is essential to efforts to enable Israel and Jews worldwide to have a positive, secure future.\n<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0 Why would efforts to obtain a two-state resolution of the conflict succeed now when they have failed often in the past, primarily due to Palestinian opposition?\n<\/p>\n
Response: Both Israel and the Palestinians should realize that conditions are very different now, especially after the horrendous Hamas attack and the resultant devastation in Gaza. These events should convince Israel and the Palestinians that a new approach is needed that will provide a far better future for them. Also, the US, the EU, the Abraham Accords nations, and other nations would provide financial support to improve the lives of all the people in the region.\n<\/p>\n
If Israel informed the United States\u00a0and other world leaders, including those of the EU and the Abraham Accords, that we very much welcomed a two-state resolution, much could be accomplished.\n<\/p>\n
Hopefully, the elections that are scheduled for later this year will produce more moderate, peace-supportive leaders for Israel and the Palestinians.\n<\/p>\n
Bottom line: We have a choice between continued conflicts with many negative consequences, some potentially catastrophic, and a much better, peaceful future based on mutual respect, understanding, and forgiveness. May we choose wisely!\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The current situation for Israel and Jews worldwide has become alarming. Despite our mission to be a \u201clight…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":115355,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[2492,10679,37,499,12619],"class_list":{"0":"post-115354","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-israel","8":"tag-antisemitism","9":"tag-democracy-in-israel","10":"tag-israel","11":"tag-judaism","12":"tag-peace-process"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@iran\/116579185684236537","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115354"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115354\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/115355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=115354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=115354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}