Voices of moderation

Since I was born, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been a permanent issue and priority in the life of Jordanians. It has in many ways defined the modern history of my region and generation.

Missed opportunities for peace are always big disappointments. I believe we should not be missing them anymore.

The majority of people of my generation does not believe in the need, neither does it have the desire, to engage in yet another open-ended process

We have seen the disappointing results of previous processes, which registered no progress for decades.

Every missed opportunity has alienated more people on both sides. It increased distrust and difficulties, and created new obstacles for the two-state solution by encouraging those who seek to carry the parties down the path of confrontation.

His Majesty King Abdullah has been constantly urging for a solution that should be based on the two-state formula, international resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

Once, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, His Majesty warned the international community that “the two-state solution will only last as long as [US President Barack] Obama’s term”.

Accordingly, time is short and reaching the two-state solution a must, especially since the time and foundation seem to be now ready, more than at other times, due to the situation in Syria, Daesh and the threat of a third Intifada.

Lately, there have been balanced Israeli government voices, leaders who believe in the two-state solution, like Hilik Bar, secretary general of the Labour Party and deputy speaker of Knesset.

I came across his initiative in The New York Times on August 20, 2015. He emphasises that “to build trust, Israel should refrain from construction over the Green Line in areas of the West Bank that would harm the contiguity of the Palestinian state. Illegal outposts built since March 2001 should be dismantled.”

It is an initiative he presented to the Knesset that he hopes “will eventually become a government policy… aimed at generating momentum towards a final status accord between us and the Palestinians”.

Such moderate Israeli voices that believe in peace and stability in the region, and in a just two-state solution, should be taken seriously by all parties, which should exert collective effort to implement a lasting peace.

Samer Ghazi Kawar,
Amman