Difficult Questions
A pollster and political analyst named Dalia Scheindlin recently wrote an article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. She asked some tough questions about how to end the war in Gaza and what will happen next for the Gaza Strip.
Support for the Two-State Solution
Scheindlin mentioned that many world leaders, like US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have expressed their support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This means they believe there should be two separate countries, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians.
Unclear Plans
However, Scheindlin pointed out that it's not clear what these leaders actually plan to do to make this happen. Their official statements sound good, but they don't provide many details about how they will turn their words into actions.
Blinken's Five Nos
Scheindlin mentioned a set of principles called the Tokyo Principles, which were outlined by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. These principles include saying no to displacing Palestinians from Gaza, using Gaza for terrorism, re-occupying or besieging Gaza, cutting off part of Gaza's territory, and allowing a terrorist threat from the West Bank.
Talks About the Future
Blinken believes that it's time to start talking about the future and setting long-term goals. He thinks this will help address immediate needs and guide policies after the war.
German Confirmation
Scheindlin mentioned that the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, also supports the Palestinians' right to the Gaza Strip and opposes Israeli settlements there. She is concerned about illegal settlements in the West Bank as well.
Confusing Signals
Scheindlin believes that the signals from the United States may be confusing. There are reports that Israel is pressuring the US not to mention the two-state solution. However, the US has taken a historic step to ban visas for violent West Bank settlers.
Europe's Example
It seems that Europe will follow the US's example. The European Union plans to impose sanctions on extremist settlers in the West Bank.
The Need for Political Transformation
Scheindlin thinks that diplomats understand the need for a serious political transformation in the region. They also believe that the Arab world should be involved in any future political process.
A Hope for Peace
Scheindlin wonders if this time, leaders are working behind the scenes to come up with a strategy for peace. She believes that the region is in desperate need of help and hopes that Israelis and Palestinians can find a way to save themselves.
Source: Haaretz
