My message to my Arab neighbours

If I could say anything to my neighbours in the Arab world, this is what I would say at this delicate moment as we await the hostage return.

I know that many of you will not trust anything I say. For decades, narratives have shaped perceptions – often painting us as enemies. I understand that. I also understand that my words may carry even more weight, or suspicion, because my son serves in the IDF’s Special Forces and was involved in combat against Hamas following the events of October 7th. You may see him as a war criminal. I assure you, he is not.

I hold no hatred toward anyone because of race, religion, or ethnicity. I believe that all are made in G-d’s image. What I truly want is peace – real peace – where we can live side by side with dignity and mutual respect, not as step 1 to ‘From the River to the Sea’.

October 7th was a profound shock to our nation. The scale of violence and the response it triggered have left deep scars. Since then, the level of hostility directed at Israel has been overwhelming and it will take considerable time to heal. But I believe, deep down, many of you know that Israel has never sought genocide. The loss of life in Gaza is tragic and heartbreaking. Yet when war is waged from tunnels beneath homes, hospitals, and schools – when civilians are used as shields – it becomes a devastating reality that innocents are caught in the crossfire. We tried to warn civilians. We made mistakes. And where individuals committed crimes, they must be held accountable.

So why am I writing this?

Because without recognition – without even the possibility of seeing each other as human beings with shared hopes – there is no future. If children are taught to hate Jews and Zionists from a young age, how can we ever build bridges? Extremism exists on both sides. I do not support our extremists, just as I hope you do not support yours. But we must acknowledge that hatred breeds hatred, and the longer we allow it to fester, the more it poisons our future.

We have a choice.

Like Bahrain, the UAE, and others, we can begin a path toward mutual recognition and cooperation. Or we can continue down a road where our children and grandchildren inherit only conflict and pain.

I am not naïve. Peace will not come easily. I do not support a two-state solution under current conditions – but I believe conditions can change. And we have the power to change them.

I speak only for myself. I am a private citizen. But surely, enough lives have been lost to say: enough. Let’s change how our children are raised. Let’s lower the temperature and stop fueling the fires that rage across the region and the world.

I support a ceasefire. I want the hostages home. I want quiet. I want peace. But unless we address the root causes, nothing will truly change.

I don’t expect many responses to this message. People are tired, angry, and grieving. But if even one person reaches out, it would mean the world.

I will not lower the IDF’s readiness – not while polls show that many in the region still reject Israel’s right to exist. But I hope that one day, that changes. I hope we can build something better.