As we approach the first anniversary of the 7 October terror attacks which shook Israel to its core, we are all witness to the continuing scenes of carnage, destruction, and the shocking human toll on civilians, from the 1200 killed in Israel, to the tens of thousands across Gaza and more recently hundreds in Lebanon. There is talk of the region being on the brink of war; the reality is the war has already begun.
The aims the ‘international community’ focused on stopping the war on Gaza, humanitarian ceasefires, the return of hostages, the alleviation of human suffering in Gaza and to prevent an escalation of a wider regional war.
The hostages released in the 4-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas last November, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US, supported by the UK through direct diplomatic engagement, brought a break in hostilities and a ray of hope of a prolonged period of calm. Diplomatic efforts rightly intensified at that time in pursuit of peace.
Yet, despite agreements and hope for a further respite for ordinary civilians, today Gaza lies in rubble. 1.9 million Palestinians, 90% of Gaza’s population is displaced, humanitarian aid is at desperately low levels, hostages have been killed and more than 100 remain captive in Gaza. In the Occupied West Bank, extremist settlers have continued an even greater land grab, further usurping the rights of the Palestinians.
In Lebanon, diplomatic efforts had seen progress on over half of the border crossing points with Israel. Discussions also covered the move of Hezbollah away from the Southern Lebanese border to north of The Litani River, coupled with a systematic handover to the official Lebanese Army. Yet, these efforts have been dashed, as we see Northern Israel and Southern Lebanon exploding into another battleground with thousands of civilians displaced on both sides of the border. Israel has killed leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, including most recently Hasan Nasrullah in Beirut, but the human cost is immense, and we have seen more innocent civilians being killed, maimed and displaced. And now Iran has, for the second time, launched ballistic missiles into Israel which in the Iranian narrative ‘avenges’ the death of Hasan
Nasrullah. Yet what is clear, is that Benjamin Netanyahu will not rest until Israel delivers its ‘response’, the nature of any such attack in terms of its target and intensity will no doubt be greater than what we have seen before. The prospects of any Israeli attacks carry the potential of severe consequences for a wider and more prolonged and deadly war with global ramifications.
However, as the clouds of war darken and conflict spreads, we need a more intense level of diplomacy; importantly, discreet communication channels need to be strengthened and intensified, and the UK must continue to play our part.
In Israel it should not be forgotten that almost 22% of Israeli citizens are Arab, consisting of both Christians and Muslims. In the horrific terror track on the7 October there were also Christian and Muslim Israeli citizens, alongside Jews, who were killed and taken hostage. We have cities such as Haifa, which has followers of different faiths living together. Yet, extremists within Israel are threatening the very basis on which these communities, notwithstanding challenges, have lived and worked together over many
years. This reflects the key thread in understanding solutions to the current and escalating crisis and war; and that the future of communities and nations are intertwined. Peace is possible, indeed attainable, but it should mean peace for all.
The Abraham Accords which saw a normalisation of relations between Israel and Bahrain, UAE and Morocco, demonstrated a new diplomatic pathway to peace between Arab nations and Israel. A recognition that bridges can be built and herald a new beginning, based on shared progress and prosperity. Yet, this was the first chapter of bringing nations and communities together and must form part of the efforts for a sustainable peace through the realisation and delivery of the two-state solution of Israel and the sovereign nation of Palestine.
Though my own direct experience, I have seen the levers of diplomacy at work and influences, be they political or economic, that countries including the UK possess and can exert. They provide the ability to exercise not just restraint and caution, but negotiation and compromise over polarised positions of the parties to conflict, through discreet and extensive engagement, steeped in personal relationships. Countries within the Middle East also have a significant role to play. Ultimately, to see sustainable peace, including normalisation of relations with Israel and the Arab world and for that matter the wider Islamic world; means Israel ending the war in Gaza as a first step, but this must lead to the establishment and creation of Palestine at the core of a lasting resolution. Without addressing this issue, this conflict may end; but enmity simmers where there is injustice and inequality, it fuels hate and manifests itself in the explosive nature of the current Middle East conflict, where citizens be they Palestinian, Israeli or Lebanese live in fear of their daily lives.
The solution is a collective effort on the part of all nations. Past leaders, be they Israeli or Arab, went from being sworn enemies and foes, to partners for peace. We need these leaders to emerge today, with countries including the UK, the US, Arab nations, and others, facilitating, supporting and exercising every diplomatic lever to make this happen. Recently, we have seen former Prime Minister Olmert of Israel and Dr Nasser Qidwa a former Foreign Minister of Palestine, bring forward a structured framework for peace which deserves consideration. History has shown that that peace is possible and ultimately when war ends, political and diplomatic solutions provide the basis for sustainable peace. We need to invoke that same spirit of courage and conviction of the leaders who chose peace not war. As the Noble Peace Laureate and former Prime Minister of Israel; the late Yitzhak Rabin reminded us “there is only one radical means of sanctifying human lives. Not armoured plating or tanks or planes or concrete fortifications. The one radical solution is peace”.