Opinion: 2-state solution is only viable future in Israel-Palestine conflict

The slaughter by Hamas in Israel and the resulting slaughter in Gaza are barbaric and heart breaking and the situation changes daily. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated his government will not consider a cease-fire in its invasion of Gaza. It has, however, agreed to temporary pauses to accommodate release of prisoners held by Hamas, provision of vital humanitarian relief for non-combatants and an escape route from Gaza City. It is happening, though not fast enough.

Perhaps it is naïve to think this may be a beginning step toward a cessation of the devastating carnage. I take it, though, as a sign of hope. The other hopeful sign is that many key nations, including Russia, China and nations of the Middle East, plus of the United Nations, have called for a cease-fire.

The United States, though it has rejected a call for an immediate cease-fire, as a show of support for Israel’s need to assure its self defense, clearly supports an incremental movement toward one. The support for a cease-fire is nearly universal and Israel knows it cannot sustain its invasion and occupation indefinitely. The question is, when and how it can it be achieved and what then? Here is one possible scenario.

1. Israel should be assured it can eliminate Hamas. A nation has a right to defeat any terrorist group which attempts to destroy it.

2. Israel must accept U.N. and international observers in front line positions and command centers to insure Geneva Conventions and rules of war are observed and civilians spared and made safe.

3. Israel must work with U.N. and international negotiators to secure the release of hostages.

4. Israel must increase its opening of the Rafah border crossing to allow refugees to leave Gaza and humanitarian aid to enter. Field hospitals and hospital ships offshore, plus U.N. and international aid, is being provided on the Egyptian side of the border. That is good but currently insufficient. 5. Egypt must be guaranteed the U.N. and community of nations will provide for resettlement of Palestinian refugees in nations other than or in addition to Egypt.

These conditions could make it possible for a temporary truce to be declared, and discussions to begin on the construction of a longer term cease-fire agreement. The recent and current catastrophe makes it clear a two state solution is the only viable future. We have been down that road before, repeatedly. Those efforts were commendable, but now it is imperative they lead to a permanent stability based on statehood for Palestine and a treaty enforced by its neighbors and the U.N.  Diplomatically it will be a heavy lift, but it must be started as soon as the above conditions are met and pursued diligently.

Most importantly, the land “from the river to the sea” cannot be claimed by Israel or Palestine as its exclusive domain. At the heart of this ages-old struggle is the claim of legitimate possession of the entire territory by both nations/peoples. It is a core religious principle for both and is seen as non-negotiable by many. There are, however, long standing conversations by leaders from both sides on how they might live together peaceably as neighbors. There are numerous organizations that have worked for peace and mutual respect for decades, and their work needs to be supported and expanded.

A negotiated partitioning could follow the principles of the two state solution but will have to be re-configured to place Israeli settlements, built in Palestinian territory, in the nation of Israel. And Israel must cede territory to Palestine in compensation. Determining those lines will be monumentally difficult.

At the same time a new governing structure for Palestinians will need to be established, with Hamas out of the picture. The current Palestinian Authority is weak and in bad repute among many of its people. Only a peace time democratic process, presided over by the Arab states, and led by Jordan and Egypt, which have treaties with Israel, can make that possible. Maintaining and trying to manage the current belligerent animosity is no longer a feasible option. The events of Oct. 7 and since make that clear. In the meantime we should all condemn hate speech in all forms.

Our president and State Department have done a commendable job of trying to wind down the conflict and acknowledge the best interests of Israelis and Palestinians. Though that approach has drawn harsh criticism, this balanced approach seems the only viable path toward stability.

More: Opinion: Supporting Israel also means criticizing its Gaza policies

More: Opinion: Agony and conflict between Israel and Palestine is deeply complicated

Rev. Rollin Russell is a retired pastor of the United Church of Christ and professor at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Opinion: Civilians should be kept safe in Israeli-Palestinian conflict