Palestinian prosperity may give peace a chance

Martin Zagnoev

In almost every conflict each side is convinced that it is correct, yet the truth lies more or les in the centre. Similarly, we see this in the Middle East where most of the Israelis and Palestinians consider the other to be a deadly threat.

What then are their respective perceptions?

Having endured many centuries of persecutions, expulsions and even massacres, many Jews decided that in order to be safe and to survive, they would need to return to their ancient homeland and would have to toughen up drastically. The horrors of the Holocaust reinforced this urgent need.

The weak “Wandering Jew” was to return home and would keep the recurring threat of violent anti-Semitism away, by becoming strong enough to ward off all danger.

Conflict with the Arab neighbours was not intended; all the Israelis wanted was peace and security. Yet, almost all of the Arabs in the region strongly opposed the influx of Jews into what they also considered to be their homeland and holy land.

This new-found militancy of the Israelis helped the Jews to survive in this hostile environment in the short term, but is not helpful to achieve peace, going forward. Acts of defiance and aggression by extremists on both sides were like fuel to the fire.

In 1948, a number of the surrounding Muslim countries attacked the new-born Jewish state in order to destroy it. Israel managed to survive the onslaught, but the feeling that they need to be strong and tough, was only reinforced – not an attitude conducive to reducing the ongoing conflict. Nor is the prevailing belief in revenge, on both sides helpful.

And so we have a tit-for-tat escalation in the war, with neither side benefiting.

At first, when Israel was considered to be the underdog, most of the world supported her. Now that the Israelis have military superiority, much of the world support the Palestinians – the latter reinforcing the belief among many Jews that the world is against us and we need to remain tough, as described above.

Is there a way out of this tragedy?

Here in South Africa, Nelson Mandela recognised that most of the whites were driven to hatred by fear and mistrust of the black majority. By showing them that he was not a threat but a friend, Mandela was able to gracefully defuse a very difficult and dangerous situation.

Perhaps a mediator with the wisdom of Mandela could be found to diffuse the volatile situation in the Middle East. Alternatively, if many of the Israelis and Muslims read or hear views such as these, the conflict might end.

Finally, if the Israelis help the Palestinians to rebuild and grow their economy, bringing prosperity to the region, peace will have a chance.

Johannesburg