The world needs more moderate voices connected to the Israel-Palestinian conflict to speak out. As an outside observer, it seems to me that the extremists define the issues so often. I like to think that most people, the silent majority, are not on the extremes and just want to live peacefully.
I believe that as long as the Palestinian people allow Hamas to exist, they will forever be suffering. Hamas will continue to attack Israel and the cycle of violence will continue, to the delight of Hamas. Sadly, as in every war, innocent people are suffering and dying. Hamas wanted this war.
Under the right conditions, wars can be followed by peace, but both sides have to want stability and peace more than they want revenge. When the culture celebrates every Palestinian who dies as a martyr, they don’t seem ready for peace. I don’t think a single state solution would ever be accepted by Israel since Isralis would not want to be out numbered by Palestinians. Peace seemed so close during the Clinton administration and so far away now. Both sides need leaders who want peace more than war. It’s a totally f’d up situation.