The Illusive Peace
John H. Adler
June 02, 2006
It sounded so simple and so promising: “THE ROAD MAP”. It laid out a plan to peace.
Unfortunately, design of a topographic map does not guarantee peace unless all parties are in agreement and desirous of peace. Thus the road map to peace, proposed by the United States, was destined to fail even before it was submitted. The Palestinians, instilled for generations with deep hatred for the State of Israel, do not want peace. They desire Israel’s destruction. The recent landslide election of a Hamas-led government is proof-positive of the feelings of the majority of the Palestinian people.
Conversely, the Israeli people founded a Centrist party forming a Government ready and willing to trade land for peace. For the first time in the existence of the State of Israel, the majority of its people have agreed to return captured land. Prior to the recent election of Hamas, Israel, seeking a dialogue with the ruling Fatah-section of the Palestinians, conducted serious discussions with them, leading to the unilateral withdrawal of Israel’s settlers and military from the Gaza Strip. The closing of some of the Jewish West Bank settlements is proceeding in spite of the shift in the political climate.
While the Israelis were ready for an accommodation to promote peace, it is obvious that the people of Palestine were not. They overwhelmingly voted for Hamas which seeks the total destruction of their neighbor. Treating the Israelis as occupiers of their land, they insist on the dismantling of the Jewish State. Their demand threatens the continuation of a protracted war without end.
The irony of this dilemma is that both peoples need each other and could prosper together were it not for the Palestinians’ position that promises only death and misery to both countries.
Is it so difficult to imagine how beneficial it would be for both peoples if plowshares would replace rifles and the building of schools and hospitals, would educate and save lives instead of sacrificing them? Does any religion really promise its disciples that annihilation of “non-believers” leads to paradise?
By now it is almost certain that Palestine would become a State as part of any peace agreement. In peace, Israel has much to offer to their neighbor: Jobs, technology, agriculture and medicine would enable the citizens of Palestine to drastically elevate their standard of living.
Unfortunately Syria and Iran are more interested in keeping the pot boiling, and it is largely their doing that all efforts for peace in the Middle East have faltered. Both these countries state openly that they desire the total destruction of Israel, and they lend moral and physical support and safe haven to all rebellious Palestinian groups. Iran has developed missiles that could easily carry warheads into the Jewish State.
Aside from their hatred of Israel Iran is also a very active player in Iraq. Iran’s strong influence will become obvious once United States troops leave Iraq.
Unfortunately, design of a topographic map does not guarantee peace unless all parties are in agreement and desirous of peace. Thus the road map to peace, proposed by the United States, was destined to fail even before it was submitted. The Palestinians, instilled for generations with deep hatred for the State of Israel, do not want peace. They desire Israel’s destruction. The recent landslide election of a Hamas-led government is proof-positive of the feelings of the majority of the Palestinian people.
Conversely, the Israeli people founded a Centrist party forming a Government ready and willing to trade land for peace. For the first time in the existence of the State of Israel, the majority of its people have agreed to return captured land. Prior to the recent election of Hamas, Israel, seeking a dialogue with the ruling Fatah-section of the Palestinians, conducted serious discussions with them, leading to the unilateral withdrawal of Israel’s settlers and military from the Gaza Strip. The closing of some of the Jewish West Bank settlements is proceeding in spite of the shift in the political climate.
While the Israelis were ready for an accommodation to promote peace, it is obvious that the people of Palestine were not. They overwhelmingly voted for Hamas which seeks the total destruction of their neighbor. Treating the Israelis as occupiers of their land, they insist on the dismantling of the Jewish State. Their demand threatens the continuation of a protracted war without end.
The irony of this dilemma is that both peoples need each other and could prosper together were it not for the Palestinians’ position that promises only death and misery to both countries.
Is it so difficult to imagine how beneficial it would be for both peoples if plowshares would replace rifles and the building of schools and hospitals, would educate and save lives instead of sacrificing them? Does any religion really promise its disciples that annihilation of “non-believers” leads to paradise?
By now it is almost certain that Palestine would become a State as part of any peace agreement. In peace, Israel has much to offer to their neighbor: Jobs, technology, agriculture and medicine would enable the citizens of Palestine to drastically elevate their standard of living.
Unfortunately Syria and Iran are more interested in keeping the pot boiling, and it is largely their doing that all efforts for peace in the Middle East have faltered. Both these countries state openly that they desire the total destruction of Israel, and they lend moral and physical support and safe haven to all rebellious Palestinian groups. Iran has developed missiles that could easily carry warheads into the Jewish State.
Aside from their hatred of Israel Iran is also a very active player in Iraq. Iran’s strong influence will become obvious once United States troops leave Iraq.