Constructive Communication is Precursor for Peace 

As a Jewish American, I am an unwavering supporter of Israel’s unequivocal right to exist as the internationally recognized homeland for the Jewish people.

However, I also agree that the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip deserve their own internationally recognized sovereign state. This is also the position of President Biden and the U.S. government.

Therefore, rather than continuing heated and offensive back-and-forth arguments — which only seem to solidify opposing views — the two sides need to build a semblance of consensus as a precursor for any peace talks.

Israel Yearns for Peace

Last month marked 46 years ago — in November of 1977 — that Egyptian President Anwar Sadat made history when he became the first Arab head of state to visit Israel.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

• “Sadat’s historic visit, which broke with the Arab policy of not engaging publicly with the Jewish state, reinvigorated hopes for peace, and he was warmly received by Israeli citizens and officials alike.”
• “This courageous first visit by an Arab leader to Israel is considered a pivotal moment, credited with opening the path to peace between Israel and the Arab world.”
• “The two countries immediately began intensive negotiations, culminating in the Camp David Accords of September 1978 and the Israel-EgyptTreaty of Peace, which was signed in Washington on 26 March 1979.”

Egypt’s President Sadat was awarded the coveted Nobel Peace Prize in 1978, along with his counterpart for peace, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. However, Sadat was later assassinated by Islamist terrorists.

Death was the price Sadat paid for making peace with Israel, which was not only tragic but also set a terrible precedent for other Arab leaders.

Nevertheless — in addition to Egypt — Israel has subsequently signed four more peace treaties with the Kingdom of Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Morocco. Moreover, before the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, another peace deal was reportedly pending completion with Saudi Arabia. But the fallout from the Israel-Hamas war scuttled any deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the following September 22, 2023, at the United Nations about a possible Israel-Saudi peace deal: “Such a peace will go a long way in ending the Arab-Israeli conflict and will encourage other Arab States to normalize their relations with Israel.”

Netanyahu added that such a peace deal with Saudi Arabia would enhance the prospects of peace with the Palestinians. This important public pronouncement by the Israeli Prime Minister was made about two short weeks before the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

So, what does this tell us regarding the prospects for peace in the Middle East? It shows that Israel wants peace with its Arab neighbors, as history has consistently proven. It also demonstrates that at least some Arab countries are willing to make peace and officially recognize Israel’s right to exist as the internationally recognized homeland of the Jewish people.

Israel would not have made any peace agreements with Arab countries if the Jewish state did not truly yearn for a peaceful coexistence with its neighbors. The question now is whether Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza want peace with Israel or more uprisings (intifada) and war?

The answer appears uncertain.

Stop Laying Blame

After more than two months of war between Israel and Hamas, it’s clear that the time for finger-pointing, laying blame, and fanning the fires of hate needs to end. The time for a constructive and respectful open dialogue needs to begin, at least for those parties who truly want the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to finally end after decades of fighting.

Hate only begets hate, not constructive solutions toward peace. This means starting to look past the Israel-Hamas war to a better future for Israelis and Palestinians. And that involves fostering more constructive and respectful discourse between the two sides.

Open communication is a critical first step toward forging any agreement on vexing territorial issues between Israel and the Palestinians. But first, the Israel-Hamas war must end.

Yet the answer to whether Palestinians truly want peace with Israel appears tenuous, due to their overwhelming support of Hamas terrorism both before and after the Oct. 7 massacre.

Yes, it’s true that Israel can stop its assault on Gaza. But it’s also true that Hamas can surrender by laying down its arms and freeing the remaining hostages.

Remember, Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip about a decade ago — but then Hamas took over. Israel likewise pulled out of Lebanon before that — then Hezbollah terrorists became entrenched. Both Hamas and Hezbollah call for the annihilation of Israel as their clear goal. And that genocidal proposition is anathema to any peace between Israel and Palestinians.

Nevertheless, more heated and offensive rhetoric only serves to solidify opposing views. This wrong-headed approach is unproductive and detrimental to any progress for peace. That’s why it’s necessary for Israel and the Palestinians to launch a constructive and respectful open dialogue as a precursor for any possible peace deal resulting in a two-state solution.

And the time to start such constructive and civil discourse is now.