Israel Seeks Peace, Terrorists Choose War

The Long Road to Peace: Israel’s Pursuit of Coexistence Amid Terrorist Rejectionism

Since its miraculous victory in the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel has tirelessly sought peace with its neighbors and the so-called Palestinian leadership. Despite numerous initiatives and generous proposals, Israel has repeatedly faced rejection, violence, and betrayal from Arab nations and terrorist organizations controlling Gaza and Judea and Samaria. The Jewish state’s perseverance and hope for a peaceful resolution have been met with hostility, yet its commitment to peace remains unwavering.

The 1967 War and UN Resolution 242

After Israel defended itself against an existential threat and captured Gaza, Judea, and Samaria from Egypt and Jordan, the United Nations passed Resolution 242. This called for Israel to withdraw from territories in exchange for peace. Israel was willing to negotiate, but the Arab world responded with the infamous “Three No’s” at the Khartoum Conference: no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, and no negotiations with Israel.

Camp David Accords (1978): A Model for Peace Rejected by the Palestinians

Despite the Arab League’s rejectionism, Israel made history by achieving peace with Egypt through the Camp David Accords. Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, brokered by US President Jimmy Carter, reached a historic deal where Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula. This demonstrated Israel’s willingness to trade land for peace. However, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) rejected the accords and continued its campaign of terror.

Oslo Accords (1993-1995): A Betrayed Hope

In a significant attempt to establish a lasting peace, Israel engaged in the Oslo Accords with Yasser Arafat’s PLO. The agreement granted the Palestinians self-governance in parts of Judea and Samaria and Gaza, with the hope of a two-state solution. Israel made painful concessions, including the recognition of the PLO as the representative of the Palestinians. In return, Arafat pledged to renounce terrorism.

However, the dream of peace was quickly shattered. Instead of building a peaceful state, the newly formed Palestinian Authority (PA) incited violence, glorified terrorism, and launched a wave of deadly attacks against Israeli civilians. The peace process was derailed with the outbreak of the Second Intifada in 2000, a terror campaign that killed over 1,000 Israelis.

The 2000 Camp David Summit: Another Missed Opportunity

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, in an unprecedented move, offered Arafat a Palestinian state on nearly 97% of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The proposal included a land swap for the remaining percentage. Arafat refused and instead launched the Second Intifada. This rejection made it clear that the Palestinian leadership was not interested in peace but in Israel’s destruction.

The 2005 Gaza Disengagement: Land for Terror, Not Peace

In another bid for peace, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005, forcibly evacuating thousands of Jewish residents. The world hoped this would lead to peace and self-governance for the Palestinian people. Instead, Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist group, violently seized control of Gaza in 2007 and turned the territory into a launching pad for endless rocket attacks on Israeli civilians.

The withdrawal proved that the issue was not about land but about Israel’s existence. Hamas, like its allies in the Palestinian Authority, openly calls for the destruction of Israel.

The 2008 Olmert Peace Offer: Another Rejection

In 2008, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made yet another peace offer, proposing a Palestinian state on nearly 94% of Judea and Samaria, along with land swaps to compensate for the remaining 6%. Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas walked away, refusing to sign any deal.

The Abraham Accords (2020): A New Path to Peace

While Palestinian leadership has rejected every peace proposal, Israel has found willing partners in the wider Arab world. Under the Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States, Israel normalized relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. These agreements proved that peace is possible when rejectionism is abandoned.

Yet, the Palestinian leadership, controlled by terrorist organizations like Hamas in Gaza and the Fatah-led PA in Judea and Samaria, condemned the agreements. Their refusal to accept peace with Israel remains the main obstacle to progress.

The Iron swords war (2023 -)

We now find ourselves in the midst of yet another war—one that is particularly brutal, as it began with the deliberate massacre of innocent families, spanning all ages from newborns to the elderly. As if this horrific reality weren’t enough, hostages were also taken, forcing Israel into an agonizing dilemma: negotiate with terrorists to secure their release as a short-term solution or refuse to engage with them, which would mean certain death for the captives but serve a long-term goal of eradicating terror.

Israel initially chose to negotiate—twice agreeing to a ceasefire and exchanging convicted terrorists and criminals for a limited number of hostages. But now, at a critical juncture, the choice was stark: continue the negotiations or resume the fight. This time, Israel refused to yield to the terrorists’ demands and instead reignited the war on terror—one that seeks to eliminate Hamas once and for all.

Within Israel, this decision has sparked internal unrest. No one wants to see the hostages perish, but if we are being truthful, Israel has no real alternative. This must never happen again. NEVER AGAIN.

The Ongoing Hope of the Jewish People

Despite decades of war, terror, and rejection, Israel has never abandoned its hope for peace. The Jewish people believe in a future where they can coexist with their neighbors, as evidenced by their historical willingness to make painful sacrifices for the sake of peace.

While Hamas and the PA continue to indoctrinate their people with hatred, Israel continues to build a thriving, democratic society that welcomes Arabs, Christians, and Jews alike. The contrast between a state seeking peace and terror organizations pursuing destruction could not be clearer.

Conclusion: A Call for Real Peace

The only true path to peace is for the Palestinian leadership to abandon terrorism, recognize Israel’s right to exist, and engage in honest negotiations. Until that happens, Israel will continue to defend itself while holding onto the hope that one day, its neighbors will choose peace over hatred.

The world must recognize that Israel has done more than its fair share to achieve peace. It is time for the Palestinian leadership to do the same, or the cycle of violence will tragically persist. Until then, Israel will stand strong, resilient, and hopeful for the day when true peace is finally within reach.