Tonight 60 minutes did a story on the Israel/Palestine conflict, which explores the reasons why peace in that region may be just a fantasy. If you didn't get a chance to watch it, please take the time to do so now.
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What caught my attention from this story was a remarkable woman named Tzipi Livni. She is an Israeli politician who has expertly navigated the political apparatus in Israel to the office of Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister. Moreover, she has tirelessly worked to find avenues of peace between her people and the Palestinians. In 2007, she met with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad to discuss ways to improve the lives of Palestinians.
But more importantly, and the centerpiece of the story by 60 Minutes, is the overriding belief by majorities on both sides of the conflict that a two-state solution is improbable and getting more so because of settlements being built in the West Bank. The religious settlers believe it is their God given duty to deny Palestinians a state on their holy land.
Livni realizes that the way to peace is a two-state reality, and that reality demands Palestinians be afforded land that Israelis are settling. When asked about evacuating the settlers, she responded bluntly and without hesitation, "it's not going to be easy, but this is the only solution."
I agree with her. The objective here is peace and stability between two peoples that will be interwoven for centuries to come. If Jewish settlers are forcibly making themselves obstacles to that objective, they should be evacuated.
On February 10th Israel will hold elections to select its new Prime Minister and Tzipi Livni is vying for that office. Here's hoping she wins that election, for peace's sake.
(cross posted from Progressive Junction)