I have hope

I was saddened and frustrated by the current war in Gaza.  Saddened by the suffering on both sides, and  frustrated by my inability to see a way out.   Somehow, the frustration led me to formulate a three-step program, which vaguely describes a path to peace.   I am not a strategist, and do not have the qualifications to propose such a path.  I do not live in Israel, and do not have the moral authority to recommend any path.  I do not claim that the program is original or practical.  Nonetheless, it is presented below.

The first step of the program is the hardest to implement, while the third step is the easiest.  This is a good indication of my lack of expertise in public policy.  However, putting the program on paper, gave me hope that eventually, peace can be achieved.

Step one:  Practice Empathy
Israelis have to realize that they are not confronting "Muslim Fundamentalism",  "Terrorism", nor any other label.   We are fighting other human beings that have the same feelings and aspirations as us.  If we exercise empathy and put ourselves in a Palestinian's shoes, we will discover that our behavior would be the same.  We will realize that the Palestinians consider themselves a nation that lost its dignity and land to an external power.  We will understand that the only way for a young Palestinian man to imagine any kind of acceptable future, is to fight for the elimination of Israel.   This understanding is necessary before any real dialog can take place, a dialog based on real needs, rather than slogans, fear, or prejudice.

It is hard to develop empathy towards your adversary in the middle of a struggle, but it can be done.  I believe that there are enough people in Israel who could accomplish such a feat, and lead the way to the second step.

Step two:  Take Risk
Israel current strategy consists of maintaining deterrence, while waiting for some unknown event that will bring about a radical change in circumstances.  This approach is not a viable long term strategy for two reasons.

1. The huge advantage that Israel has over the Palestinians in resources, quality, and technology is slowly eroding.  This is becoming evident with each encounter.  The Israeli advantage will not disappear in the foreseeable future, but the increasing Palestinian capabilities will exact an increasingly higher price from Israeli society.
2. The unpredictable Black Swan event that Israel is expecting, may not be in its advantage, and could just as likely cause its demise.

Instead of the status-quo, Israel should strive hard to achieve an agreement with the Palestinians.  For the agreement to be acceptable to the other side, it will have to be both risky and generous.  However, I contend that such risk can be contained, and is preferable to the big, long range gamble.  Furthermore, it is appropriate for the stronger, richer side to be more risk-tolerant and generous.

Step three:  Spend Money
Lots of it.  Human nature is such, that no agreement will be stable, unless the Palestinians feel that they have a chance of achieving economic equality with Israeli society.  Israel can provide such a vision, by first demonstrating it in the approach to its Arab citizens.  It can then expand the economic development model to the West Bank, an finally to Gaza.