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Light at the End of the Tunnel

By Gaveliers, The Gavel Media Team, on November 2, 2009 7:46 PM

James Sasso -

During the recent panel, “Palestine: The State of the Question,” members of the discussion led the audience to believe that that the solution to the Palestine/Israel tension has been realized.  Unfortunately, simply knowing the solution does not ensure that it will be accomplished.  As scholars of the crisis have said, “We can see clearly what is at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel is dark and windy; we cannot find our way through it without smashing into walls.”  The only real way to end the violence spurred by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a two-state solution with a shared stake in Jerusalem.  This could even prove to be a stepping-stone toward peace in the Middle East.

In the short term, however, it seems necessary for Israel to pull out of the settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.   The Palestinians feel that they have already sacrificed enough land in their agreements with Israel and the Israeli settlements only further inflame already strong Palestinian sentiments about the land that they actually possess.  It is a hard existence for the Palestinians hindered by the Israeli settlers who usually tend to be Zionist extremists.

Stability in the Middle East could potentially be achieved if the Israelis were to pull out of their settlements. By fostering peace with the Palestinians, Israel will be seen by the other Middle Eastern countries as reaching out.  It would not simply be the oppressive adversary of the Arab nations, but a Middle Eastern State trying to maintain the peace and stability in a volatile and important region.

Both Professors Raymond Cohen and Richard Norton, who spoke on the panel, agreed that America must be the mediator, brokering a solution between Israel and Palestine.  America is the only world power with enough economic and political “income” vested in the region to have a real interest in seeing the end of the conflict. By acting as a mediator, America would also improve its image among the Arab nations, especially if the Obama administration were to campaign strongly for Israel to pull out of its settlements.

This will not be an easy task; Obama does not enjoy much popularity in Israel due to his previous campaign for a fair two-state solution–not one in which Israel has the final say in matters.  America as a nation, though, holds a massive amount of sway in Israel. America is its biggest ally, military supporter, and world protector.  If America were to threaten to remove some of its help, it is possible that Israel would cave under pressure and agree to a more equal two-state solution with Palestine.

It is still hard for Israel to agree to compromise with a country that they see as a mortal enemy.  The same can be said for the Palestinians, except that they do not hold much of the land in dispute.  Therefore, they are more willing to enter into negotiations.  Israel fears that once negotiations start, it is possible that the Palestinians will continue to ask for more and more land. This might eventually lead to an increase in violence.

Ultimately, most Israelis and Palestinians want peace and agree that without a compromise there will be none.  To begin talks and start to stabilize the most volatile region in the world, Israel is going to have to pull back from its West Bank and Gaza settlements. This move will allow America to step in as mediator to help quell the violence through a two-state solution.  If Israel works with its Arab neighbors, this will help to undercut the power of Iran, which constantly calls on the Arab states to go to war with the Zionist oppressors.  Ending the Palestinian/Israeli conflict is the first and most important step for peace in the Middle East.