BORDER CHANGES
This is a map of the land that Palestine has lost and Israel has gained. Many of you may have already seen this map, but it paints a very real picture of how land has changed hands since the establishment of Israel in 1948. I am not suggesting that a solution would be to go back to the original borders, but it's important to remember what Palestinians have had to give up and what Israel has gained both legally and illegally, and that they believe their land gain is legitimate. Whether or not it is is up for debate. In negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, there has been much talk about returning to the 1967 borders (or "The Green Line"). Israel will not agree to that. However, Israel should take this consideration very seriously, even if they do not want to completely return to those borders. It would legitimize and recognize the struggle that Palestinians have endured in losing land and get peace talks back on track. While this seems like a huge negative for Israelis, there has to be some sort of compromise and this would be a good starting point.
HALT SETTLEMENT CONSTRUCTION
This is a point that has been made over and over again by Palestinians in negotiations, but if Israel hopes to get peace talks back on track, they must stop constructing settlements (especially since many are only for Jewish settlers). It's difficult to discuss this without going into great detail, but there are several key points to make here. First, the creation of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory is illegal under international law. This is the consensus of the majority of the world, including most European nations. The US does not agree with this and has supported Israel unconditionally. Secondly, Israel needs to recognize some element of Palestinian sovereignty in order to legitimize talks. Constructing settlements on their territory has the opposite effect. This issue has greatly impacted peace talks and Palestine has refused to return to the table on several occasions if Israel does not stop the construction of more settlements. However, it was revealed in 2012 that Israel had plans to construct more settlements. This pattern must stop, as continuously violating the rights of those with whom you are attempting to have peace talks completely illegitimates that group. This must end for proper and legitimate negotiations to take place.
CALL TO STOP VIOLENCE--AND ENFORCE IT
Both Israelis (specifically the Israeli Defense Force) and Palestinians are guilty of committing unspeakable atrocities to each other. It should be noted that Palestine does not have an official military, and Israel boasts the 6th most powerful military in the world (which is partly funded by the country with the strongest military in the world--the US). Both sides have called for an end to violence, but it has not at all been enforced. While Palestinian violence is not comparable to the scale of which Israelis have committed violence, which is a simple fact, it is violence nonetheless (and the picture I chose is biased, I know, but illustrates a true fact). Israel funds the violence of the IDF and the Palestinian Authority does not call for an end to violence, and Hamas often encourages violence as the governing party of the Gaza Strip. While both sides can attempt to justify the use of violence in the name of self-defense, it is impossible to have peace talks when there is constant back and forth violence between the two nations. This should be done by state-sponsored education. There seems to be acceptance of violence in the two countries, whether outwardly or not. If the nations truly condemned violence as needed, there would not be the violence that there is today. It has to stop to make peace talks possible. Those who commit violence are only making the situation more difficult and both sides less trusting.
PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD
While this has been a contested issue and there are many, many pros and cons to official recognition of a Palestinian state, there needs to be at least some type of Israeli recognition of Palestinian sovereignty to legitimize peace talks, which I touched on earlier. Israel enjoys many benefits of being an internationally recognized state, yet Palestine has to fight to be recognized (and many countries have done so). This makes the Israeli position seem legitimate, and Palestine's position look as if it's a rogue group of people committing violence against another country. While this is obviously not the case, that is how it appears to many. This is not fair in a conversation between "equals." There is no equality if Palestine cannot even be considered sovereign, if not a state. This would require a real unification of the government leaders in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. But it's a necessary unification and necessary step for the peace process.
Ultimately, there are many difficult compromises that must be made in order for peace talks to happen, and I've only been able to touch on a few. But it's key for both sides to remember that humans are humans. This is often something that governments and angry groups of people can forget. But they are key for achieving peace. Both sides must keep their eye on the goal and build bridges of understanding. This is very idealistic, but it's what's necessary. In order for any movement to stick, it must be grassroots and it must be fair, or there will always be revolt. This has been shown time and time again throughout history when governments have tried to use people as pawns for a political end. Israelis and Palestinians want peace, as they want to live functional lives. Their goals and desires are not much different from each other. They want to survive, be successful, and be happy, which is the goal of most human beings. They must all work together for a common goal. This requires putting at least violence aside. They don't have to be happy with how history has played out, but they must accept each other's existence in order to live next to each other, which is going to be the only solution.
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