The path to a two-state solution for Israel & Palestine: Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak's perspective
Nov 18, 2023
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Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak discusses the ongoing war with Hamas, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the potential for a two-state solution with Palestine. Barak criticizes Benjamin Netanyahu's policies, emphasizes the goal of destroying Hamas, reflects on the failed peace summit in 2000, and explores strategies for Israel to overcome anti-Semitism and revive the peace process.
Ehud Barak stresses the importance of a two-state solution as the long-term solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, highlighting the risks of a non-Jewish or non-democratic political entity.
Barak calls for a change in leadership in Israel that is more open to negotiation and emphasizes the need for engaging with the international community, proposing a multinational force led by Egypt as a potential solution for governing the Gaza Strip.
Deep dives
The Importance of the Two-State Solution
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak emphasizes the importance of the two-state solution for the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Barak acknowledges that the past attempts at brokering a deal have failed, but he argues that the long-term solution remains a separate state for both nations due to their different histories, aspirations, and demographics. He highlights the risk of a single political entity becoming either non-Jewish or non-democratic and stresses the need for Israel to take decisive action to secure its own identity and future, while also recognizing the importance of finding a partner within the Palestinian leadership.
Israel's Strategy and Response to the Conflict
Barak discusses the current Israeli government's approach to the conflict. While acknowledging that settlements have increased and made it harder for Palestinians to live in the West Bank, Barak believes that this government's objective of destroying Hamas and refusing the two-state solution is flawed. He argues for a change in leadership that is more open to negotiation and mentions the significance of recent events in shifting public opinion. Barak also highlights the need for engaging with the international community, proposing a multinational force led by Egypt and backed by the Arab League and the United Nations as a potential solution for governing the Gaza Strip.
Negotiations, Ceasefire, and Prisoner Exchange
Barak addresses the issue of negotiations, ceasefire, and the release of hostages. He expresses the need for Israel to prioritize the release of hostages held by Hamas, highlighting the negligence that led to their abandonment in the first place. He advocates for a willingness to negotiate, even if it means releasing some prisoners as part of an exchange. Barak suggests that such steps would demonstrate Israel's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution and could potentially lead to broader negotiations and a lasting ceasefire. He sees an opportunity to correct the situation and calls for Israel to always uphold the moral high ground and fight against anti-Semitism.
Is a two-state solution still possible for Israel and Palestine? Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister of Israel, joins Ian Bremmer on the GZERO World Podcast to discuss the ongoing war with Hamas, the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and whether the idea of a two-state solution with Palestine is still realistic. Barak participated in the 2000 Camp David summit with Yasser Arafat and has arguably come closer than any Israeli leader in modern to securing peace, though he ultimately failed. Barak is critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies of tacitly viewing Hamas in Gaza as an asset and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank as a liability instead of the other way around. He also admits that they should have gotten more humanitarian aid into Gaza sooner but argues that the goal of destroying Hamas is critical for Israel’s future. Barak and Bremmer also discuss the 240 estimated hostages still being held captive, the recent strikes on hospitals in Gaza, and how Israel can move forward after the war to live in peace with its neighbors.