As a native Israeli with a deep understanding of the history of our nation, I can attest to the significant efforts made by Israel to achieve peace with the Palestinians through the creation of a separate state. Throughout history, Israel has made numerous offers, on five different occasions, to establish a Palestinian state alongside our own. Yet, time and time again, these offers have been met with rejection and violence by the Palestinian leadership.
Following the end of World War I and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, Britain assumed control of the Middle East, including the land that encompasses modern-day Israel. In 1936, amidst Arab rebellion against both the British and Jewish communities, the Peel Commission was established to address the conflict. The Commission recommended a two-state solution, proposing that separate independent states be established for both Jews and Arabs. Despite the favorable terms offered to the Arabs, they chose to reject the proposal, leading to continued violence and unrest.
Subsequent attempts, such as the United Nations’ decision in 1947 to partition the land into two states, were also met with rejection by the Arab side. Even after the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel emerged victorious and gained control of additional territories, efforts to reach a peaceful resolution were thwarted by Arab refusal to negotiate or recognize Israel’s right to exist.
In 2000, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak extended a generous offer to Palestinian Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat during peace negotiations at Camp David. The proposal included significant concessions, offering a Palestinian state in Gaza and most of the West Bank with East Jerusalem as its capital. Despite this historic opportunity, Arafat rejected the offer, leading to further violence and bloodshed on the part of the Palestinians.
In 2008, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made yet another comprehensive peace offer to the Palestinian leadership, only to be met with rejection once more. Despite Israel unilaterally withdrawing from Gaza and granting the Palestinians control over the territory, it was exploited by terrorist groups to launch attacks against Israel.
The pattern of rejection and violence by the Palestinian leadership in response to Israel’s repeated attempts to establish peace through a two-state solution is a glaring reality. Rather than pressuring Israel to make further concessions, perhaps it is time for the international community to hold the Palestinians accountable for their continued refusal to accept the existence of a Jewish state and work towards genuine peace in the region.
As someone deeply invested in the pursuit of peace for our region, I believe that a shift in approach is necessary to address the root cause of the conflict and foster a truly sustainable peace between Israel and the Palestinians. I urge all parties involved to reflect on the historical records and consider a new path forward towards genuine reconciliation and coexistence. I am David Brog, Executive Director of the Maccabee Task Force, and I stand for a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security.
