Nathan Thrall, former director of the International Crisis Group’s Arab-Israeli Project, discusses the war in Israel, peace possibilities, and his recent book. The podcast also addresses the botched MSNBC rewrite of a foster care investigation and the opposition to child welfare reform in Massachusetts. Other topics include frustrations of Palestinians, one-party rule, gut instincts, international humanitarian law, and Palestinian negotiations for peace.
The ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel is complex and deeply rooted in history, politics, and ideologies, making the search for a solution extremely challenging.
The debate over proportionality in Israel's military actions and its observance of international law is a key issue, with critics arguing that its actions in Gaza have exceeded the principles of proportionality and resulted in a disproportionate number of civilian deaths.
Deep dives
Podcast Summary: A Perspective on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
In this podcast episode, Nathan Thrall, a journalist and expert on the Arab-Israeli conflict, discusses his book 'A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy' and provides insights on the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. Thrall highlights the difficulty of finding a solution and the lack of understanding on both sides. He explores the implications of Israel's right to defend itself and the right of the oppressed to resist, emphasizing the need to abide by international humanitarian law. Thrall also highlights the importance of creating a Palestinian state and the challenges surrounding the Hamas ruling in Gaza. Overall, the episode offers perspectives on the complexities of the conflict and possible paths towards resolution.
Debate over Proportionality and Observance of International Law
One of the main issues discussed in the podcast is the debate over proportionality in Israel's military actions and its observance of international law. While Israel claims the right to defend itself, critics argue that its actions in Gaza have exceeded the principles of proportionality and have resulted in a disproportionate number of civilian deaths. The legality and effectiveness of Israel's military strategy are also questioned.
The Two-State Solution and Israel's Security Concerns
The podcast delves into the concept of a two-state solution as a potential resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Thrall, a two-state outcome would allow Israel to remain a Jewish state and provide security guarantees from the US. However, he emphasizes that the issue is complex and deeply rooted in history, politics, and ideologies. The concern over Israel's security and the possibility of a Palestinian state coexisting alongside Israel are key factors influencing the ongoing debate.
Challenges in Achieving Peace and Possible Future Scenarios
The podcast discusses the challenges in achieving a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. The complexity of the situation, including Hamas's presence in Gaza and the lack of trust between the two parties, make it difficult to find a mutually agreeable solution. Future scenarios mentioned include the potential degradation of Hamas militarily, the role of the Palestinian Authority, and the need for international intervention and mediation. The episode concludes by highlighting the urgent need for dialogue, compromise, and a deeper understanding of the conflict in order to achieve a sustainable peace.
A Boston Globe investigation into foster care adds to the sum of human knowledge only to have a botched MSNBC rewrite subtract from it. Also on the show, Nathan Thrall is an American author, journalist, and former director of the International Crisis Group’s Arab-Israeli Project. He joins us to talk about the war in Israel, and to ponder if peace is possible. We also discuss his most recent book, A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy.
