Peace in the Middle East has been an issue debated since the founding of modern Israel, but at certain points in history, it has been at the forefront of public attention. When were these debates most intense? What does the question look like today, and what is the solution to this ongoing issue? As we explore this complex topic, the answer may surprise you.
Striving for Peace in the Middle East
In general, most people tend to focus on peace as it relates to their own lives and families. However, there have been moments in history when the scope of this concern expanded to the broader Middle Eastern conflict.
Following the First Intifada, there was a significant push for peace that shifted the political climate in Israel. Two years after the First Intifada ended in 1993, the Oslo Accords II were signed, which introduced a new framework for the region. The agreement divided Judea and Samaria (commonly known as the “West Bank”) into three distinct areas: Areas A, B, and C. Presented as a potential resolution to a long-standing conflict, the Oslo Accords were hailed as a breakthrough. However, as we’ve seen over the past 30 years, this so-called “solution” has not led to lasting peace.
Although hostilities had temporarily eased compared to the intensity of the First Intifada, this period of relative calm did not last. In 2000, after Ariel Sharon ascended the Temple Mount, violence flared up once again. This resurgence of violence prompted leaders to seek a solution similar to the approach of the 1990s. Despite the fact that the previous efforts of territorial concessions had failed less than a decade earlier, the same strategy was applied during this new round of conflict.
In 2005, in response to ongoing violence and terrorism, Israel implemented the Gaza Disengagement Plan, which involved forcibly removing over 9,000 Jews from their homes and dissolving 25 Jewish communities in Gaza and the West Bank. Many believe that this decision to withdraw Israeli presence from Gaza played a crucial role in the escalation of violence, ultimately leading to the horrific attacks on the Jewish people on October 7, 2023.
Attempts for Peace in the Middle East Today
Over the past 450+ days, peace has been a major focus for many, with widespread advocacy across the globe. However, this increased push for peace has had an unintended effect: it has actually fueled tensions and, tragically, led to more violence on an international scale.
The calls for peace remain as strong as ever, though efforts so far have seen little success. While previous ceasefires were attempted and ultimately failed, there is a new tenuous ceasefire currently in place. Currently, 13 Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian murderers and terrorists.
For additional context, prisoner swaps have not historically proven beneficial. For example, Yahya Sinwar, who was originally sentenced to four life terms, was released in a swap and later became the mastermind behind the October 7th massacre.
Not only has Hamas repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements throughout the course of the war, but their actions have also made the establishment of a new ceasefire incredibly difficult. To underscore this reluctance, Hamas continued to fire rockets into southern Israel up until the very hour that the ceasefire began. This raises the same question that has been asked time and again throughout history: Is peace possible?
“Peace in the Middle East”
This is a term related to the approach taken during the presidency of George W. Bush, who believed he had the solution for peace in the Middle East. During his time in office, Bush emphasized the need for a Palestinian state, thinking that if the two groups could exist as separate states, they would be able to live side by side in security.
However, with all due respect, if President Bush had examined the region’s history more closely, he would have seen that Israel’s concessions of land to Arab states rarely led to lasting peace. Had he been able to foresee the future, he might have recognized that, instead of fostering peace, such moves often result in increased terror and violence—an outcome starkly illustrated by the events of October 7th. This history could make the concept of peace seem even more hopeless, but the solution may actually be the very thing that many believe would cause more strife.
What Will Create Peace in the Middle East?
The only viable path to peace between the Palestinians and Israelis is for Israel to be fully recognized as a strong, sovereign nation—both within the region and on the global stage. Historical events have shown that giving up more Israeli land has never led to lasting peace, and it is unlikely to ever do so. Therefore, if anyone genuinely desires “peace in the Middle East,” they must support Israel’s complete sovereignty. Anything less undermines the foundation for true, lasting peace.
