Middle East peace plan

By Alex Ketay

Once again, I find myself shaking my head after reading about the Middle East. This time, Israel and Palestine are trying to strike up a peace plan. Of course, peace talks have been in the works since the creation of the state of Israel. Yet, they seem to fail every time. Will this current string of talks solve any problems? Maybe.

As of Sunday, Nov. 26, Israel and Palestine agreed to a cease-fire. According to a Nov. 30 CNN.com article, “Rice tries to build on Mid-east cease-fire,” Condoleezza Rice talked with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in an effort to make progress. She expressed her concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people, but praised both sides for their efforts at reaching a peaceful agreement. Of course, the Hamas side of the Palestinian government has been unhelpful and is still considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., Israel and the European Union.

Like an endless hunger, the feud between the Arabs and the Israelis probably won’t be satiated any time soon. Recent talks between Palestine and Israel may seem promising, but given the history of Intefadah against Israel, it would seem like Israel is only wasting its time. However, Palestine’s more moderate President Mahmoud Abbas is trying courageously to move toward a more moderate government.

Looking back at history, the United Nations Special Commission on Palestine was given the task of dividing the land. They came up with a plan for two states that the Jews reluctantly accepted, while the Arabs rejected it outright. Soon after, the war of 1948 broke out. The Arab armies of Egypt, Syria, Trans-Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq invaded Israel, but were forced back beyond the partition borders. Since the first war, Israel has been stabbed in the back by its neighbors many times. Take, for example, the six-day war, or the war on the high holiday of Yom Kippur. After a history of aggression, can the Israelis truly trust their neighbors?

Since its inception, Israel has endured numerous wars of aggression against its Arab neighbors. The Palestinian conflict is the product of a long-standing feud between Arabs and Jews. It seems sufficient to say that a long-lasting peace will not be achieved until the entire region gives up its hateful views. However, this will probably not be achieved any time soon. Although, according to a Nov. 26 Associated Press article found at FOXNews.com, Hamas announced that it was open to negotiations within the next six to eight months, but if talks failed they would have to “look for another choice.” This obviously is in reference to a possible uprising if demands are not met. Their methods of negotiation seem childish, but at least they are willing to come to the drawing table rather than stay logged in their war room.

Whatever happens, it is important to remember to view the larger picture when thinking about the Middle East. A unilateral move toward peace will not only help Israel and Palestine, but it will also help the surrounding countries.

Alex Ketay is an opinion columnist for the Northern Star.