The renowned Israeli author and peace visionary Amos Oz often described the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a tragedy of "justice vs justice.” In his words, such a conflict can only be resolved either through the destruction of one side (or both), or through a painful, imperfect compromise, where each party gains only part of what it desires. In such a scenario, he said, no one will be completely satisfied, but at least the dying will stop, and life can begin. Palestine would gain independence and security in part of the land, while Israel would live in peace and safety in another part of it.
Oz did not live to witness the most recent chapter in Gaza’s tragedy and its devastating consequences. Yet it is certain that, had he been alive, his unwavering belief in peace would have continued to shape every thought he shared.
The collective trauma in Israel following the massacre of 7 October 2023, and the genocide that unfolded in Gaza in its aftermath, represent another harrowing episode in a region long haunted by pain. Such crises do not allow for easy answers because every time, both sides are forced to confront not only each other, but also their own historical mistakes, extremism, and the asymmetrical violence that fuels the cycle of hatred from both directions.
Tragically, the Israel-Palestine conflict is laden with deep-rooted historical disagreements that continually undermine any real progress towards dialogue, compromise, and lasting solutions. A new peace effort, regardless of the number of mediators involved, will not endure unless it is embraced by the two parties themselves.
What is needed, above all else in this moment, is the implementation of the core provisions of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, to bring an end to the ongoing bloodshed. But even that is no simple task on such a brutal battlefield. It requires a rare degree of self-awareness, and a shared willingness to truly understand the enormous, enduring challenges each side faces.
Only by addressing the immediate human cost of today’s crisis can the parties begin to confront - honestly and humbly - their own distinct historical failings, which have brought about their own distinct brands of brutality. And only then, might there be a chance to begin healing the wounds of yet another tragedy in our modern world.