IN DEFIANCE of the prevailing pessimism regarding the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, an estimated 15,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square yesterday for a pro-peace demonstration. The rally was jointly arranged by a number of organizations including Peace Now, the Labor and Meretz parties, and the New Israel Fund.
The hashtag associated with this movement, “#50isEnough”, is a reference to the somber milestone we are fast approaching- the 50th anniversary (as of next month) of the Six Day War and the resulting start of the occupation. Yesterday’s demonstration called for an end to the occupation, through the implementation of a two state solution.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had sent the following message, read during the rally:
There isn't a voice stronger than the voice of just and inclusive peace, just like there isn't a voice stronger than the right of people for self-determination and freedom from the burden of occupation.
The time has come to live- both you and us- in peace, harmony, security and stability. The only way to end the conflict and the fight against terror in the region and the entire world is a solution of two states based on the 1967 borders, Palestine alongside Israel. We've accepted the decisions of the UN, recognized Israel and accepted the two-state solution, and the world has recognized the state of Palestine. Now the time has come for the State of Israel to recognize our state and end the occupation. The opportunity still exists, and it cannot be missed when our hand is extended in peace that is created between those who are brave.
I’m aware of what a highly volatile topic this is (of course- we all are). And I understand that with the unparalleled threats posed by the present fascistic administration in our own country, this isn’t a particularly good time strategy-wise for more internal discord. But “difficult”, doesn’t necessary mean “impossible”- a challenging topic is still just a topic- not some preternatural force unto itself that can rob us of our ability to be rational.
So, with this rally: I acknowledge there are some aspects to this that people may disagree about. Like for example, there are many who favor a one state over a two state solution. And there’s disagreement even among proponents of two states, because there’s the tricky matter of where to draw the boundaries of the states (Abbas suggests the 1967 borders, but this might be very hard to sell to those who feel that Israel should encompass the Jewish settlements in the West Bank). And another point of disagreement, is how exactly to define, “end the occupation”… If Palestine will embody the entire West Bank as Abbas desires, then must all of the Jewish settlers (currently numbering in the hundreds of thousands) be forcibly evicted from their homes? Some (like, me) may find that problematic.
However, is there nothing about this, that we can all agree on? Even if we may quibble over the finer details, the overarching upshot is that thousands of Israelis came together in support of peace, with the blessing of Abbas, and I’m just not seeing how anyone could not like this (“Peace? Harmony?! COEXISTENCE!?! NO! There must only be never-ending strife, and suffering, and misery!! And get off of my lawn!!!...”)
And naturally the pervasive cynicism didn’t come out of nowhere… the entire history of this conflict is torturously fraught, but do you know what other accomplishments were preceded by nothing but failures, until they finally met with success?
ALL OF THEM.
Peace will come when enough people on both sides want it, period. I can’t say that I’ve been all that effective at convincing anyone of anything, myself. But this may very well be a challenge that is beyond any one person… maybe, “brainstorming” might be the way to go on this.