We made reference to «Two Flags and Two States» over two years ago (see number 9 of the «Voice» published in July 2021) tracing the situation, topical at the time, of the time-worn conflict between Israel and Palestine. In the many decades of dispute there had certainly been no shortage of episodes of tension and open violence, but the brutal massacre of innocent civilians carried out by Hamas terrorists on 7 October and the reaction of Tzahal (the Israeli defence forces) without any doubt exceeding the limits permitted by humanitarian law (codified in the Geneva Conventions), have had a devastating multiplier effect on the collective feelings of the two populations, which can now be classified – most unfortunately - as mutual, irreconcilable aversion.
With that appeal we intended to express the conviction that only the constitution of an independent Palestinian state would, over time, allow, if not the complete pacification of one of the most troubled geographical areas on the planet, at least the creation of a climate of an acceptable (also reluctant) cohabitation. Having said this, it would be hypocritical to deny that the objective of two States and two Flags is an extremely difficult objective to achieve, as it is held hostage by apparently insurmountable mutual vetoes.
On the Arab side, there is the persistence, not limited to the founding principles of Hamas but also well rooted in the doctrines of various states, of radical positions contemplating the pure and simple cancellation of the Jewish state from the face of the earth. From the Israeli side, the refusal to stop the settlement policies of their compatriots in those territories (particularly in the West Bank) destined to form the primary nucleus of an internationally recognized Palestine. From a few thousand people in the 1960s, the settlers have now exceeded 700,000, strengthening the most intolerant factions of the Tel Aviv government with their united vote.
While recognizing the difficulties, it is precisely the horrors we are witnessing on a daily basis, with the terrible images of the violated kibbutzim and massacred or kidnapped hostages alternating with those of the hospitals and refugee camps bombed by the Tel Aviv air force, that highlight the absolute need (not to mention urgency) to work in this direction. Once the fighting has stopped, the identification of a new geo-political order for the Middle Eastern area must follow, sufficiently shared so as not to be called into question with any change in government, both in the countries involved and in relation to their respective allies.
A virtuous development, such as the one described above, does not appear objectively achievable without a definitive eradication of Hamas terrorists and the radical movements that support it (primarily Hezbollah) and the parallel affirmation, in Gaza as in the rest of the Occupied Territories, of moderate political movements , that is, willing to collaborate with a State of Israel which in turn has been purified of the most intransigent and nationalist fringes.
With regard to its rulers, Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmud Abbas / Abu Mazen (still in office, the latter, despite a mandate that expired in 2009) will have to be replaced, in Tel Aviv and Ramallah, by less compromised rulers, who put genuine commitment ahead of political agendas in order to spare future generations of Palestinians and Israelis from the destruction and massacres imposed on them today.
Moreover, at the beginning of the nineties with the Madrid Conference and the Oslo Peace Accords, ratified in Washington by Rabin and Arafat, Israel's aspiration to live in security and Palestine to obtain a homeland had seemed, like never before, close to realization. If, in history, it is not possible to turn back the hands of the clock, it is at least necessary to ensure that precedents - especially if of a positive nature - are not destined to oblivion but constitute a reason for reflection and inspiration for the future. The perverse spiral of the opposition between anti-Semitism and Islamophobia which, often without a real reason, also sees large sectors of Western public opinion aligned, must be addressed with concrete perspectives and results, before the process becomes irreversible.
The European Union could promote a wide-ranging diplomatic initiative
In this highly delicate geographical area, the European Union - an indispensable political point of reference for Israel and, at the same time, the primary provider of humanitarian aid to Palestine - could carve out a more significant space for itself than occurred during the Russian/Ukrainian conflict (conflict, it is highlighted here with dismay, which has suddenly disappeared from the radar of current media events and been demoted to a sort of no event).
By maintaining close contact with the United States, particularly active in this phase through Secretary of State Blinken, the 27 members of the European Union could thus become promoters of a wide-ranging diplomatic initiative, focused on the two intimately linked aspects of peace and security, organizing a conference to which the Arab countries of the area will obviously also be invited. In this context and under the necessary supervision of the United Nations Security Council, the creation of an international peace-keeping force, intended to monitor the situation on the ground for a certain number of years, appears to be a measure worthy of consideration.
Furthermore, a proactive attitude responds primarily to clear European interests. It is sufficient to consider the fact that with the continuation, practically at its gates, of a second, very serious front of conflict heavy with consequences also in relation to migration and finance, the European Union would inevitably find itself in a situation of extreme difficulty, not least in terms of its degree of internal cohesion.
In addition, stemming the ongoing wars also serves to prevent further outbreaks of tension from experiencing dangerous radicalisations. To remain on topic, the ongoing crisis between Serbia and Kosovo (candidate countries for membership of the Union) characterized by recurrent clashes on the ground and alarming declarations by the two leaders, can as a result only arouse marked concern, taking place in a region - the Western Balkans - located close to our borders.
Returning, in conclusion, to the main theme of our reflections, within its sphere of competence the Rovereto Peace Bell Foundation has long been a conscious interpreter of the needs of the two States, welcoming the Palestinian flag to Colle di Miravalle since 2000 (preceded by the Israeli flag by 25 years). In our case the dimension is, obviously, symbolic, of form, but it is desirable that the underlining of the equal dignity between the two territorial entities is reproduced with increasing frequency, even in political contexts, of substance. Fortunately, the two-state model is acquiring a growing number of supporters also within the international community.
Through this issue of the «Voice», the last of 2023, I would finally like to address the sincerest wishes of peaceful holidays to all our readers, aware that «Maria Dolens» (although forced to silence in this period due to technical reasons) will ideally be able to multiply them and spread them indiscriminately far and wide.
Reggente Marco Marsilli, Foundation President
