Hope for Peace in the Middle East: A Renewed Opportunity for a Two-State Solution

The recent October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in southern Israel that killed almost 1200 Israelis and wounded thousands more has left the world in shock. The subsequent war in Gaza, where over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, including approximately 18,000 children, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Amidst the devastation, former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen remains optimistic that a two-state solution is still achievable. Allen argues that despite past failures, negotiations have failed before, and the international community has a unique opportunity to revive the peace process.

Key Takeaways:

• Allen believes that the two-state option is still viable and the only realistic alternative for Israelis and Palestinians.
• Negotiations have failed before, but that shouldn't mean that Israelis and Palestinians can never try again. History is full of examples of conflicts that were once thought to be unsolvable but were eventually resolved.
• The six final status issues, including the right of Palestinian return, the status of Jerusalem, and security, remain on the table and will require compromises from both sides.
• Enlightened politicians and leadership that are willing to compromise and exclude extremists on both sides are necessary for a two-state solution. Examples include former Israeli leaders Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak, who remain committed to the two-state option.
• Western countries are now recognizing the threat to the two-state option and are taking action, including recognition of a Palestinian state, sanctions against the settler movement, and support for good governance.
• Polls suggest that both Israelis and Palestinians would prefer a two-state solution over the status quo, if offered the right incentives.
• A non-profit organization, Rozana Canada, which Allen chairs, is working to build trust and capacity between Palestinians and Israelis through joint health projects. Despite the challenges, Allen remains hopeful that a two-state solution can be achieved.

Statistics:

• Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the recent war in Gaza, including approximately 18,000 children.
• 7.5 million Israelis and 7.5 million Palestinians share the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River.
• 68% of Israelis support the Trump plan to deport Gazans, but a similar number also support an agreement that would fully integrate Israel into the region, including a Palestinian state.
• Over 80 million people died in World War II, including six million Jews, and Germany, Italy, France, and the UK are now NATO allies.
• 40 years after the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Anwar Sadat advocated for peace in Israel's Knesset, and two years later Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty that continues to this day.

Sources:

• Jon Allen, former Canadian ambassador to Israel and Senior Fellow at the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History
• "Rozana Canada" - a non-profit organization working to build trust and capacity between Palestinians and Israelis through joint health projects
• Israeli leaders Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak, who remain committed to the two-state option
• Former Palestinian foreign minister Nasser al-Kidwa, who now travels the world advocating for two states
• Commanders for Israel's Security, an organization comprising hundreds of former Israeli officials who agree that the threat from within is the real existential threat to Israel.
• Polls cited by Jon Allen
• Various international organizations and peace initiatives.