Peace benefits all

According to a recent survey conducted by “Geneva Initiative” a joint Israeli-Palestinian NGO advocating and supporting the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, two thirds of Israelis are now convinced that without a final status agreement on the conflict with the Palestinians, a violent confrontation between the two sides will be inevitable.

That is proof of sanity in Israeli society.

Somehow startling is the discovery that a majority of Likud voters now believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should launch a diplomatic initiative that would eventually lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

If only Netanyahu would pay heed to those voices!

Such turnabout in opinion among Israelis came after the seven-week-long war on Gaza that left thousands of Palestinians dead and more thousands wounded.

The Israeli casualties did not exceed 70.

The poll commissioned by the Geneva Initiative might not tell the whole story about the public opinion in Israel, but if it is anything to go by, it shows change vis-à-vis the Palestinians and a somewhat sense of urgency regarding a possible settlement.

The Gaza war must have been a wake-up call for Israelis if even hardliners among them are beginning to change their long-held views about serious negotiations with the Palestinians.

As late as it is, perhaps now Israeli leaders will start listening to their people and sue for peace rather than wage war on the Palestinians.

They should realise that the price is not paid by Palestinians alone.

It has been reported that no less than 30 per cent of Israelis are considering emigrating because of the constant insecurity they feel due to lack of peace with the Palestinians.

Even the most bellicose Israeli leader must know that peace with the Palestinians and, by extension, with the rest of the Arab world will benefit Israelis as well.