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Coexistence Arrangements Grounded in Shared Interests Can Be Achieved

(Ha'aretz) Zalman Shoval - After Oct. 7, 2023, many Israelis concluded that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has no solution. Even at the end of days, a wise lamb would demand assurances before agreeing to live alongside a wolf. Israel's enemies aren't debating the future of Areas A, B and C in the West Bank, but seeking to erase the very future of Israel. The slogan "from the river to the sea," which has become the rallying cry of the campaign against Israel, is far more relevant than "two states for two peoples." The option of a Palestinian state was removed from the table on Oct. 7, and it will remain irrelevant as long as a significant portion of Palestinians doesn't practically and psychologically accept the Jews' right to a state in this part of the world - a principle that President Joe Biden has defined as a precondition - and as long as Palestinian terror attacks and incitement continue. The persistent adherence of international actors to the "two-state" mantra isn't only unrealistic but also undermines other options and threatens regional stability. Ideal peace doesn't exist anywhere in the Middle East, but that doesn't mean practical formulas for coexistence are impossible. Arrangements grounded in shared interests can be achieved. We're not talking about peace built on aspirations or dreams, but a practical peace based on logic and mutual benefit. The writer was Israel's ambassador to the U.S. twice (1990-1993 and 1998-2000).
2025-09-14 00:00:00
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