Peace in the Middle East

By Demetris Zettos, Nottingham/Baltimore, MD

For a cessation of violence in the Middle East, I have a few suggestions to offer.

To begin with, an immediate cessation of all hostilities by both sides must be ensured. The City of Jerusalem should be completely demilitarized and rendered a neutral “Holy City” under the protection of the United Nations.

  1. Israel should be asked to:
  2. Withdraw from the occupied territories.
  3. Accept the creation of an independent Palestinian State.
  4. Provide just compensation for the homes and lands previously owned by Palestinians.
  5. Accord and guarantee equal human rights and civil liberties to all Palestinians who choose to live within Israel as stipulated by the UN Resolution which created the state of Israel.
  6. Adhere to all UN resolutions aimed at establishing peace in the region with fairness for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Palestinians:

  1. Must accept that the existence of the state of Israel is a fact with which they must live.
  2. They must refrain from future hostile acts against Israel.
When Israelis and Palestinians have fulfilled their obligations, the Palestinians can redirect their energies into building a peaceful and prosperous nation without animosity for their neighbors. Time can heal many wounds opened by both sides. Unless both sides sincerely work towards establishing permanent peace, it is obvious that the world can anticipate the open wound of their conflict to become an untreatable gangrene that would cause the demise of the inflicted.

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