Ideas Lessons from last century’s failed Mideast peace deal
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Sep 8, 2025 Renee Warringer, an expert in Middle Eastern history, Jeffrey Wilkinson, a trauma-focused author, Michael Malloy, a former ambassador, and Raja G. Khouri, a champion of Arab-Canadian relations, explore the failed Oslo Accords. They discuss the aspirations behind the 1993 peace agreement and its aftermath, examining issues like trauma, identity, and the complexities of occupation. The conversation highlights lessons learned, the role of historical narratives, and the need for new approaches in peacebuilding amidst ongoing conflicts.
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Early Encounters Reveal Deep Divides
- Michael Malloy recounts meeting Yasser Arafat and being surprised by Arafat's narrow focus on the right of return for refugees.
- He contrasts that with an Israeli professor who told him Palestinians "aren't human," highlighting deep dehumanization on both sides.
Global Shifts Enabled Negotiation
- Renee Warringer links the Oslo prelude to the Cold War's end, the PLO's exile, and the first intifada forcing Israel to negotiate.
- She highlights how the 1991 Gulf War and U.S. dominance created leverage for the Madrid conference.
Shared Trauma Can Be A Path To Peace
- Jeffrey Wilkinson frames the conflict as land plus narrative and emphasizes shared trauma as both obstacle and potential bridge.
- He argues recognizing shared grief could become a vehicle toward mutual understanding.
