Ln October 7, 2023, a new dramatic chapter opened in the history of violent clashes between Palestinians and Israelis, triggering the most devastating war in the history of these two peoples. Today, a year after that tragic day, thousands, too many, have been killed on both sides.
The Gaza Strip was destroyed, most of its inhabitants became refugees again. There are now almost 2 million homeless Gazans [selon l’ONU]. More than 200,000 Israelis [selon les autorités de Tel-Aviv] are also internal refugees, forced to leave their destroyed, burned or vulnerable homes.
We did not know each other before, when we both held official positions serving our respective peoples. Our professional paths had not, until now, crossed. We both set out to find a partner on the other side, with mutual respect, with the aim of ending the war in Gaza, of resuming negotiations between Israel and Palestinian Authority and reach an agreement to end this violent conflict between our two peoples.
Determine the best strategic path
We know that this will lead to the creation of a front of moderate states in the region, including Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries, alongside the State of Israel and the State of Palestine, making our region more stable, safer and more prosperous for all its inhabitants.
In our societies, in Israel and Palestine, it is unfortunately all too common to ostracize and disqualify any politician who steps outside the comfortable consensus, through mockery and extreme criticism. In wartime, consensus rallies around the flag, and any deviation from absolute support for the war effort is considered treason.
Advancing a radical change of course is seen as a capitulation, as a victory for the other side. But the true test of leadership is not following public opinion, nor guiding its words with polls, but rather determining the best strategic path for one’s nation’s future and presenting it boldly and without fear .
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We, two ancient leaders who have faithfully served our people for decades, have come together around a common vision and a proposal that challenges our tragic reality and has the potential to change our nations, our region, and even the world.
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