We Offered You Peace, You Gave Us War

We Offered You Peace, You Gave Us War

When examining the Middle Eastern conflict, particularly the ongoing tension between Israel and the Arab population known as “palestinians”, it’s clear that with an open, analytical perspective, the situation could have been much simpler than it appears.

In 1948, a piece of land was divided, with a significant portion allocated to the Arabs and a very small portion granted to the Jews, enabling them to return to their indigenous homeland. The Jews accepted the proposal, and anyone who had been living in the region for years could stay and live in peace. It seemed like an ideal solution: Jewish families, expelled from their homeland due to persecution, could finally return to their ancestral land. Meanwhile, Arabs, who had either been living in the land during the Ottoman Empire or migrated there for economic reasons, could build their homes and live their lives in Israel.

By 1948, the Arabs living in Israel had everything they needed—food, water, shelter, and a comfortable life. These were the very reasons many Arabs had come in the early 20th century: to benefit from the economic opportunities brought by the Jews and Zionists. However, despite these conditions, the Arabs rejected the establishment of the state of Israel. They were willing to accept neighboring states like Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, but not Israel. And so, the war began. To this day, it remains baffling why such a conflict erupted. After all, if you are well-provided for and live peacefully, why risk starting a war over it? Looking at the situation from a broader perspective, it is astonishing, even bordering on greed, to fight over a land that welcomed you and allowed you to live in peace.

Jews go home!

The Arab propaganda machine also began spreading a narrative that dismissed historical facts, claiming that Jews had no place in Israel, but should instead return to Poland. This rhetoric flooded the media, with calls for Jews to “go home” to Poland, a country they supposedly belonged to longer than Israel. This false narrative was passed down from one generation to the next, as children were taught to believe that Jews did not belong in their homeland.

Simultaneously, the Arab side demanded a “right of return” for millions of descendants of the 750,000 Palestinians, who fled voluntarily the country during the 1948 War of Independence that they started. These claims ignored the fact that these descendants had been born and raised in other countries, and were maybe even the 5th generation, and unlike the Jewish people, had not faced persecution there.

Double Standards

The demand for Jews to leave and return to their original countries, supported by UNRWA, reflects a double standard at the very least. This double standard is astonishing. Didn’t Hamas abduct Jewish people from their homes and land, taking them into the horrors of Gaza? How can one demand a right of return while celebrating the kidnapping of innocent civilians? Doesn’t this reveal the true motives—hate rather than peace and coexistence?

Missed Opportunities
The missed opportunities for peace are staggering, and the cycle of violence has only deepened the division. With each attack and conflict, Israelis become less inclined to seek peace. The repeated rejection of peaceful coexistence by the Arab world only fuels this reluctance. After all, living with those who, over time, have shown a desire to harm you is far from a healthy situation.

Golda Meir once wisely stated, “Peace will come when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us.” It’s time to stop teaching children hatred and instead teach them to appreciate their lives, their homes, and the importance of education and contribution to society. It’s time to put an end to persecution and embrace the opportunity to make the most out of life.