Missed Opportunities for Peace: A History of Rejection and Conflict

In his thought-provoking article for The Australian Jewish News, Michael Scott, founder of the 2023 Foundation, examines the long history of missed opportunities for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He highlights key moments, starting with the 1947 UN Partition Plan, where Israel accepted the proposal to create both a Jewish and an Arab state, while the Arab leadership rejected it, choosing war over compromise.

Michael reflects on later offers, such as Israel’s post-1967 Six-Day War proposal to return captured territories in exchange for peace, which was met with the Arab League’s “three no’s”—no peace, no recognition, and no negotiations with Israel. He also discusses the Oslo Accords of the 1990s, a moment of hope that ultimately unravelled due to violence, distrust, and the rise of Hamas.

The article argues that international efforts have, at times, incentivized bad behaviour, prolonging the conflict rather than fostering compromise. Michael underscores how a pervasive culture of hatred within Palestinian society, fueled by media and education that demonize Israel and glorify martyrdom, has further obstructed peace. Additionally, the corruption of Palestinian leadership has hindered progress.

Michael concludes by noting the growing scepticism among Israelis about the feasibility of a two-state solution, shaped by decades of terrorism and violence. He calls on the international community to support genuine peace efforts and hold Palestinian leaders accountable for their actions.

This insightful analysis by Michael Scott is available in full on The Australian Jewish News website, providing a deeper understanding of the historical context and the ongoing obstacles to peace in the region.