Head of Mitzpe Jericho urges Palestinians to recognize Israel — Jerusalem Post
In Israel, the head of the Mitzpe Jericho community in the Judean Desert addressed Palestinians in an open letter, calling on them to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and build their own society. The text, whose author also describes herself as a certified interfaith hospice chaplain, was published in the opinion section of The Jerusalem Post.
The author wrote that she sympathizes with Palestinian families who have suffered loss and displacement because of the war. At the same time, she stated that it is impossible to return the situation to its 1948 state and that Palestinians should focus on creating functioning institutions, schools and a policy of peace instead of waiting for Israel to disappear.
Assessment of negotiations
The column states that in 1947, the Jewish leadership agreed to the UN plan for the creation of two states, while the Arab leadership rejected it. The author also mentioned the 2000 Camp David negotiations and the 2008 Olmert proposal as opportunities for a settlement that, in her view, did not result in an agreement.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
She believes that Palestinian leaders should publicly accept Israel's existence and seek to create a Palestinian state alongside it, rather than in its place. After the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israeli society, according to the author, is not prepared to return to previous proposals on the same terms.
Call for coexistence
The author emphasized the historical and religious connection of Jews to Judea and Samaria. She called on Palestinians to choose leaders who would advocate for peaceful coexistence and improving people's lives.
In her view, without such a change, the current situation will remain: Israeli security control in Judea and Samaria and Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. She concludes the column by stating that Palestinians must decide whether they are ready to live alongside Israel.
