Berlin, Germany – The protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict, often described as one of the world’s most intractable geopolitical dilemmas, demands a fundamental shift in approach, argues Palestinian peace activist Hamza Howidy. "We must finally stop merely managing the Middle East conflict and instead begin to resolve it," Howidy states, underscoring the decisive role the Western world must play in this critical transformation. His plea comes amidst a landscape of escalating violence, political stagnation, and profound despair, yet punctuated by a surprising surge in public appetite for a two-state solution among Palestinians.
Howidy’s recent reflections, shared following a poignant encounter at a workshop in Berlin, illuminate the deep-seated frustration and existential crisis facing ordinary Palestinians. The activist’s call is not merely an abstract policy recommendation but a desperate appeal to break a cycle of violence that has claimed countless lives and left generations scarred.
The Unbearable Weight of Perpetual Conflict: A Palestinian Perspective
The catalyst for Howidy’s renewed urgency came from a young Palestinian Christian woman from East Jerusalem during a workshop in the German capital. Her question, posed with visible anguish, cut through the academic discourse, encapsulating the profound dilemma of her people. "I am a Palestinian Christian," she began, clearly stating her condemnation of Hamas’s actions. She unequivocally denounced the militant group’s violence, yet simultaneously articulated a stark reality: "Diplomacy has not helped Palestinians thus far." Her voice fraught with desperation, she pressed, "What, then, are we to do? What can we do to attain our right to self-determination and live without a military occupation that ruins every aspect of our lives?"
The woman’s query resonated deeply within the seminar room, filled with both Palestinians and Israelis, all ostensibly gathered to foster dialogue and strengthen cooperation. Her words echoed the lived experience of countless Palestinians who have exhausted every avenue for change. She recounted the various strategies attempted over decades: "Armed resistance. Diplomacy and negotiations. Peaceful resistance. So far, nothing has helped." The room, comprised of participants from the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Howidy himself, the sole representative from the Gaza Strip, fell silent. She likely knew Howidy’s stance as a critic of Hamas and a staunch advocate for Palestinian human rights, hoping he might possess an answer to her intractable question.
Hamza Howidy’s Anguish: Confronting the Absence of Hope
Howidy’s initial response was devastating in its honesty: "Nothing," he finally conceded. "We can do nothing." He later described it as one of the most depressing answers he had ever given, born not from a lack of thought, but from a profound inability to find a viable solution in the current climate. The woman turned away, and Howidy believed he heard her murmur, "So, armed resistance after all." This chilling undertone underscored the dangerous implications of a sustained vacuum of hope, where radical solutions might appear to be the only recourse.
This deeply unsettling exchange profoundly shaped Howidy’s perspective when he was later asked to contribute an article for the anniversary of October 7th. The request was clear: offer a spark of hope, a respite from the deluge of suffering already documented. Yet, Howidy found himself in the same predicament as at the workshop – devoid of answers, unable to conjure hope from the grim realities on the ground. He turned to his friends in Gaza, scoured news reports, and sifted through his social media feeds, desperately searching for a "ray of light," a "spark of hope" from Palestine-Israel. He found none.
Instead, his search unearthed harrowing memories and present fears. He recalled the horrific images from three years prior: the atrocities committed by Hamas, the abduction of Israeli children and elderly people, dragged into Hamas tunnels. Speaking with family and friends in Gaza, he encountered only uncertainty and pervasive fear, a testament to the enduring trauma and insecurity that grips the besieged enclave.
A Ceasefire in Name Only: The Ongoing Toll of Violence
The grim reality of life in the Palestinian territories, Howidy observed, stands in stark contrast to any notion of peace or stability. Even where theoretical ceasefires are declared, the cessation of hostilities is often a deceptive mirage.
Supporting Data: The Human Cost in Gaza
According to Howidy’s observations and data, the theoretical ceasefire in Gaza has by no means ended the bombardments or the killing of civilians. The statistics paint a devastating picture: since the signing of the last ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army has killed over 1,454 people in Gaza. This staggering figure includes 301 children and 246 women and girls, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the conflict on vulnerable populations. These numbers are not mere statistics; they represent lives cut short, families shattered, and a generation growing up amidst relentless violence and loss. The ongoing toll of civilian casualties underscores the fragility of any peace agreement not underpinned by fundamental changes to the status quo.
West Bank Under Siege: The Scourge of Settler Terrorism
Beyond Gaza, the West Bank endures a different, yet equally destructive, form of violence: settler terrorism. Howidy vividly recounts a single day of such attacks, detailing the systemic nature of the aggression. On that day alone, settler terrorists launched coordinated assaults on a multitude of Palestinian villages, including Osarin, Beita, Burin, Aqraba, Khirbet al-Marajim, Sebastia, al-Mughayyir, Rantis, Ni’lin, Wadi al-Rakhim/Masafer Yatta, Arabuna, Baqat al-Hatab, al-Zawiya, Biet Ummarin, Burqa, and Jaba’.
These were not isolated incidents but a widespread campaign of destruction. Settlers set homes and vehicles ablaze, punched holes in doors, ripped out electrical connections, smashed tiles, and shattered windows. Such acts of vandalism and arson are not merely property crimes; they are deliberate attempts to terrorize communities, displace populations, and further entrench the occupation. The psychological impact of living under constant threat, with little protection from authorities, is profound, eroding any sense of safety or normalcy.
A Leadership Vacuum: Obstacles to a Two-State Solution
In his search for hope, Howidy turned to the political leadership on both sides, only to find further reasons for despair. The current political climate, characterized by hardline stances and a perceived absence of genuine commitment to peace, presents formidable obstacles to any resolution.
Israeli Political Landscape: A Unified Rejection of a Palestinian State
Howidy points to the upcoming Israeli parliamentary elections, scheduled for late October, as a stark indicator of this political deadlock. Regardless of their ideological differences, the major parties—from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc to leading opposition figures like Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Liberman—share a common, troubling promise: under their governance, a Palestinian state will not be possible. This consensus, even among ostensibly diverse political factions, signifies a profound rejection of the internationally recognized two-state solution and effectively closes off a crucial diplomatic pathway. This unified stance reinforces the perception among Palestinians that their aspirations for statehood are systematically denied by the Israeli political establishment.
Palestinian Leadership Divide: Crisis of Legitimacy and Ideology
The situation within the Palestinian leadership, Howidy argues, is equally disheartening. Hamas, the de facto ruler of Gaza, remains entrenched in what Howidy describes as a "genocidal mindset," mirroring the current Israeli government’s goal to "get rid of the other" rather than coexist. This ideological rigidity on both sides fosters an environment of perpetual conflict, making genuine reconciliation seem impossible.
Moreover, Howidy highlights a severe crisis of legitimacy within the broader Palestinian political structure. The term "leadership" itself, he suggests, is misleading. Recent surveys from the Arab Barometer reveal a widespread disillusionment among the Palestinian populace: a staggering 55 percent of people in Gaza and the West Bank stated they would not vote at all, or would refuse to support any of the traditional parties that ran in the 2006 elections. This reflects a profound lack of trust in existing political institutions and a yearning for new, more representative voices. Concurrently, support for Hamas among the surveyed population has reportedly dropped to 24 percent, indicating a decline in public confidence even in the militant group that purports to champion Palestinian resistance.
Public Disillusionment vs. Enduring Hope: A Glimmer of Light
Despite the overwhelming despair, Howidy found a surprising, yet potent, glimmer of hope within the very same Arab Barometer survey.
A Glimmer of Hope in Public Opinion
The survey revealed a significant and encouraging trend: approval for a two-state solution has risen to 64 percent in the Gaza Strip and 56 percent in the West Bank. This critical data point suggests that beneath the layers of anger, fear, and political stagnation, a majority of ordinary Palestinians still envision and desire a peaceful resolution based on two independent states.
Howidy’s personal interactions corroborate this finding. Through countless conversations with friends and acquaintances in the Gaza Strip, he has witnessed firsthand the profound yearning for peace. "The people there thirst for a life in peace," he emphasizes. "They thirst for a life where their children can wake up in the morning and go to school. They long for a house with a roof over their heads to protect them from the summer heat and the winter cold. And they are not interested in fantasies of eternal struggle with the Israelis." This deep-seated desire for normalcy and dignity, for a future free from conflict, stands as a powerful counter-narrative to the prevailing political rhetoric of perpetual confrontation.
A Path Forward: Existing Frameworks and the Imperative of International Action
The problem, Howidy concludes, is not a lack of ideas for peace emanating from the region. On the contrary, several comprehensive proposals exist, ready to be revitalized and built upon. The real impediment is the overwhelming fear and anger on both sides, which prevents Israelis and Palestinians from initiating steps toward each other. This creates an urgent imperative for the international community to intervene decisively.
Untapped Diplomatic Blueprints
Howidy highlights two prominent initiatives that offer detailed roadmaps for peace:
- The Geneva Initiative: This unofficial yet meticulously detailed blueprint for a two-state solution was spearheaded by Israeli politician and peace activist Yossi Beilin and former Palestinian Authority minister Yasser Abed Rabbo. Launched in 2003, it offers a comprehensive framework for resolving all core issues of the conflict, including borders, Jerusalem, refugees, and security arrangements. It demonstrates that a negotiated settlement is indeed possible, given sufficient political will.
- The Arab Peace Initiative: Endorsed by the Arab League in Beirut in 2002 and reaffirmed in 2007 and 2017, this proposal offers Israel full diplomatic normalization with the entire Arab world. The condition for this historic offer is Israel’s acceptance of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders and a just resolution for Palestinian refugees. Its enduring relevance was recently underscored when Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared before the UN General Assembly that his country, along with other Arab nations present, was prepared to guarantee Israel’s security if the country committed to a two-state solution. This collective Arab offer presents an unparalleled opportunity for regional peace and integration, yet it remains largely unaddressed.
The Stalemate of Fear and Anger
Howidy stresses that the profound levels of fear and anger currently prevalent on both sides mean that independent, bilateral steps towards peace are simply not feasible. This emotional and political deadlock necessitates external intervention. Thus, when asked to write a hopeful text for the anniversary of October 7th, Howidy found himself compelled to reverse the mandate. He could not offer hope on his own. "If you want hope from me," he asserts, "then you must help. Because for anything to change, we need the international community."
The Global Mandate: From Conflict Management to Resolution
This brings Howidy to the core of his argument: the international community must cease its policy of merely managing the conflict and instead commit to its resolution.
The West’s Decisive Role: A Call to Action
The US government and European governments, particularly Germany with its close ties to Israel, bear a crucial responsibility. They must leverage their considerable political and economic influence to shift the dynamic from perpetual crisis management to active conflict resolution. This requires a departure from rhetorical condemnations and towards concrete, impactful actions.
Applying Pressure: A Multifaceted Approach
Howidy outlines a multi-faceted strategy for international pressure:
- Pressure on Israeli Leadership: This must include robust diplomatic pressure to end the occupation and compel the Israeli government to return to the negotiating table for a genuine two-state solution. This pressure should be consistent and unambiguous, signaling that the international community will no longer tolerate the indefinite maintenance of the status quo.
- Addressing Palestinian Militancy: Simultaneously, there must be a clear international stance against the inclusion of militant factions like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in any future Palestinian elections or political processes. This veto is essential to ensure that any future Palestinian state is governed by secular, democratic institutions committed to peace and coexistence.
- The Responsibility of Pro-Palestinian Advocacy: Howidy also addresses the pro-Palestinian movement, urging its representatives to recognize their influence and wield it responsibly for the true benefit of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. This means unequivocally distancing themselves from militant and Islamist groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Their advocacy should focus on ending the occupation and promoting a two-state solution, thereby strengthening their moral authority and effectiveness in the international arena.
- Concrete Political Levers: The international community must employ all necessary political levers, including targeted sanctions and boycotts of products originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. These measures would serve as tangible consequences for actions that undermine the prospects of a two-state solution and violate international law.
- Recognition of a Palestinian State: Most importantly, Howidy calls for active support through the recognition of a Palestinian state within the framework of a two-state solution. This state, he stipulates, must be led by a secular Palestinian government and must, crucially, guarantee Israel’s security. Such recognition would provide a vital political horizon for Palestinians and signal a serious international commitment to their right to self-determination.
The Choice Ahead: Violence or Determined Diplomacy
Howidy ultimately circled back to the young woman from East Jerusalem, finally articulating the message he wished he had delivered more fully. She had shaken her head at his initial suggestion of international reliance, asserting, "We want to live in dignity. We do not want to wait for the mercy of the international community."
What he did not say then, but should have, he reflects, is this: "We have two possibilities."
- The Futility of Violence: One path involves the continued use of violence. "We have seen what happened on October 7th; we have witnessed the atrocities committed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad," Howidy states. This path, he warns, comes at the expense of civilians on both sides. "It is a horrific path that leads nowhere, and in the end, it will not protect any Palestinian child." Violence perpetuates cycles of retaliation, grief, and destruction, offering no sustainable future for either people.
- The Promise of Diplomacy: The other opportunity lies in diplomacy, underpinned by a resolute international community. This path, though challenging and requiring sustained effort, holds the promise that "someday, a generation will grow up that can have a better life than ours." It is a vision of a future where children wake up not to the sound of bombs, but to the promise of school; where families live in homes secure from destruction; and where dignity and self-determination are not elusive dreams but lived realities.
Hamza Howidy’s message is a stark warning and a hopeful plea. The world can no longer afford to merely manage the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The stakes are too high, the human cost too immense. Only through decisive, coordinated international action, moving beyond rhetoric to tangible pressure and recognition, can the cycle of violence be broken, paving the way for a future where peace is not a distant fantasy, but an achievable reality for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Contributed by Judith Poppe.
