Peace in the Middle East: Possibility, or Pipe Dream?

Is peace possible, even now?

By Kohlton Holsapple

June 4th, 2024

The phrase “Peace in the Middle East” sounds more like a Hallmark card or a cliché rather than an actual possibility, especially considering recent events. Following the October 7th attack by HAMAS, Israel responded with a full scale invasion of Gaza. Thousands of civilians have been killed in this conflict. Rather than focusing on the extent of the heinous atrocities committed by both sides, the focus of this piece will be *peace*. Is it a possibility, or simply a pipe dream of the ignorant and uneducated?

Since 2021, we at the ONE Nonprofit board have analyzed conflicts in recent and ancient history, beyond and including Israel-Palestine itself. Instead of despair, our findings instead offer hope, even for a situation as tragic and horrific as the one going on now. Mothers who lost young children, fathers who have watched their sons die, brothers and sisters of the slain may feel as if there is not much cause for hope. Yet we are here to tell you that peace, even in the Middle East, is a real possibility.

Several key themes can be abstracted from similar situations in recent history, specifically 3 distinct movements and events the ONE board studied. First, Gandhi’s movement to free people from the yoke of the British Empire to form the new nations of India and Pakistan. Next, the movement of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sought equality among blacks and whites in the United States. Finally, we have the Good Friday Agreement ending centuries of violence, terrorism and torment between the Irish and British people. All of these situations at one point felt hopeless. David was peace and equality, and the continued suffering and torment of innocents was Goliath. All three of these conflicts were resolved in the last 100 years, in the modern era, so they are not too antiquated or distant to be referenced.

From these three separate historical events we extracted three themes to their success:

1. Nonviolence: These movements incorporated tenets of nonviolence. The success of the nonviolence movement in India inspired Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and was used again as a principle for peace talks in the negotiations of the Good Friday Agreement.

2. Cooperation: All three of these events required cooperation from both sides to come to an agreement. The British realized through peaceful efforts of Gandhi’s movement their futility of remaining in India, eventually withdrawing from the subcontinent. Many white congressmen helped passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, making any discrimination based on sex or race unlawful. Political parties and organizations from opposing sides, many of whom suffered personal tragedies at the hands of the other came together to form the Good Friday Agreement between the opposed parties of Northern Ireland.

3. Vision: Each movement had a distinct vision and hope for the future. These movements had leaders who kept their eye on the target and were uncompromising with regards to nonviolence and peace.

By extracting these themes from previous conflicts, we can build a formula for success with others, such as Israel-Palestine. These conflicts were not solved through conquering, stubbornness or short sighted thinking. As hopeless as it may seem, peace can come to the Middle East if the aforementioned principles guide it. A new, nonviolent movement is necessary, both morally and practically, in order for this bloodshed to stop. This movement requires cooperation from people on both sides, and a clear and guiding vision to see it to the finish line. It will not be easy, but it must be done nonetheless. Who will step up to take the responsibility of this monumental task? We will, and we must.

At ONE, our mission is education and fostering discussion between people from both sides and outside the conflict. Its a starting point to break barriers and build communication and trust.

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