My apologies for being little late with this month’s update. I have not been well for a few days but also I wanted to wait until the outcome of the Trump Peace initiative became clearer.
This morning (Monday) we are seeing the last of the living Hostages being returned to Israel and Palestinian Detainees and Prisoners are also being released. The Ceasefire between Hamas and the IDF seems to be holding. Let’s hope it continues to hold. However, there is worrying news of Hamas using its relative freedom of movement inside Gaza with the IDF having withdrawn from certain areas to attack any groups inside Gaza who have opposed them. There have also been reports of Hamas executing some of those it considers Israeli collaborators.
After two years Israel will need time to draw breath and get used to no longer being at war. I don’t know how long the current Coalition will last as both the extremist religious parties have threatened to bring it down if the war against Hamas does not continue. However, I think Netanyahu might decide it is better to go to the polls immediately while he can bask in the glow of Trump’s plan (and try to ignore the fact he had to be dragged kicking and screaming to accept it) and can control the start of the campaign. Indeed, much of his address welcoming Trump to the Knesset sounded like a campaign speech.
In Gaza, whilst the fighting has ended, there seems little change. As I noted above, Hamas is trying to re-assert its control. There is still a lack of aid (although much more is getting through) and most Gazans are homeless and with only the most minimal of shelter to live in. There is much that needs to be done but while the IDF have only partially withdrawn and Hamas are still an armed presence, no country will be willing to commit to investing humanitarian or reconstruction aid. I think both must leave the territory completely before that will happen. The first task of the conference in Sharm-al Sheik must be to establish an Internation Security Force and civilian control that is acceptable to Gazans since everything else depends on this.
Across both parts of Palestine, the return of the detainees and prisoners has been welcomed by their families although Israel seems to have still refused to release some of those who could act as unifying leaders. One of them, Marwan Barghouthi, is seen by a possible successor to Mahommed Abbas as President in Palestine and is reportedly still committed to two-state solution. Another, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, is the former director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza and seen as a possible civilian leader who could unite the Gazan people, and could be the leader who helps drive forward a wider peaceful solution to the Palestine Israel conflict.
As well as Israel, Palestine is also due to be holding elections in the next year both for the Presidency and for the Palestinian Authority. As many think that both nations need new leadership, they may well both get it in the coming months.
On the wider conflict, I am more hopeful. Speaking with people from both sides, there is a growing recognition that the status quo is no longer tenable. While the Netanyahu Government is desperately trying to establish facts on the ground to block the creation of a viable Palestinian State, Israelis know that, just as in Sinai in the early 1980s and Gaza in 2005, these facts can be removed if needed. What is needed is leadership on both sides that is willing to compromise and create an agreement that can hold. What is just as important though is the creation of trust on both sides that any agreement will hold; that Palestinians know they will not be invaded again just because some extremists carry out terrorist raids into Israel; and Israelis know that Palestinians will actively stop such raids.
And this is where we here in the UK can help. We need to work with the many peace activists on both sides, to build that trust to show that Palestinians and Israelis can live and work together. By refusing to take sides, preferring to support solutions, by facilitating meetings both here and in Palestine and Israel so we can remove the fear both have of the other.
Palestine and Israel are two deeply traumatised societies. We can help them recover and learn that the way forward is not through repeating that trauma time and time again, learn that even when there are two states, they will need to cooperate.
Palestine won’t be free until Israel feels secure, Israel won’t feel secure until Palestine is free. Let’s work with both sides to help heal their traumas and move forward towards peace.
On more parochial issues, I am pleased to say our Fringe Event at Conference was a great success. My fears that we would not attract many were totally unfounded and it was standing room only. Many thanks to all who joined us, especially Sharon Booth from Solution Not Sides, and the two speakers Hamze and Yaniv. The video of Building Bridges for Middle East Peace is now up on our YouTube Channel
We will be holding our AGM on Monday November 17th via Zoom. As ever, all are invited to attend and we hope to have a guest speaker to give an international perspective on the situation. I will send out a formal notice calling the AGM in the next few days so please put it in your diary. We will also be electing the Officers and Executive for next year, if you wish to stand, please fill in this Nominations Form which has details of the positions available.
I look forward to seeing you all next month,