Although previous peace talks in the Middle East, using terms such as “peace efforts” and “the peace process,” have achieved no progress, they persisted until many grew weary of such hollow rhetoric.

Thus, peace discourse in our region ceased a decade ago and was replaced by destructive, bloody conflicts.

Peace efforts, even when unsuccessful, acted as brakes, preventing the region from sliding into war.

After all these wars and casualties, can we revive the language of peace? Can the Middle East witness a peace process that curbs war and establishes real peace?  

Discussing peace today might seem fantastical and disconnected from reality, as scenes of destruction and killing still dominate screens.

However, because of these scenes of devastation, peace discourse now appears necessary and timely. The only way to avoid repeating these atrocities is to achieve peace that delivers a suitable measure of justice for all parties.  

This pursuit of peace has inspired three distinguished scholars — Abdel-Moneim Said (Egyptian), Khalil Shikaki (Palestinian), and Shai Feldman (Israeli) — to publish a plan titled "Arabs and Israelis: From 7 October to Peacemaking."

Their work is grounded in five hypotheses: first, an armed conflict can only end through comprehensive peace.

Second, past peace plans failed not due to their shortcomings but because of the obstacles they faced.

Third, the current conflict will expand extremism on both sides in the short term and broaden acceptance of compromise in the long term.

Fourth, certain contemporary regional developments can facilitate achieving peace.

Last, while international involvement is important, it cannot replace direct engagement between the primary parties of the conflict.  

The authors argue that the 7 October operation resulted from a decade-long neglect of the Palestinian issue, during which all peace efforts stalled.

Successive US administrations — from Bill Clinton to Barack Obama — failed to advance peace due to their reluctance to pressure Israel and Palestinians toward compromise.

The Trump administration’s “Deal of the Century” also failed, undermined by its bias toward Israel and disregard for the minimum Palestinian demands.

The Biden administration, in turn, took no steps toward peace or reversing Trump’s hostile policies. Palestinian hope was extinguished as land seizures and settlement expansion accelerated in the occupied territories.

Reasons of failure
 

Past peace initiatives failed for three reasons. First, they were insufficient to meet the minimum demands of the parties.

Second, they failed to curb anti-peace activities like settlement expansion and terrorism.

Third, regional actors refrained from providing necessary support.

The proposed peace plan emphasizes the minimum requirements to fulfil Palestinian and Israeli aspirations: a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, a secure Jewish state with demographic harmony, and regional backing to ensure success.  

Moreover, the authors meticulously outline challenges to peace and propose three types of measures: measures to restructure incentives and decision-making environments to encourage positive action; exchanges of encouraging messages between Arabs and Israel to foster a peace-conducive regional climate; and mutual steps between Palestinians and Israelis to overcome resistance from extremist factions.  

Our region has a long history of failed peace projects. Critics have often opposed proposed initiatives, claiming they were flawed and that better opportunities would arise. Yet, the future has only brought worse prospects.

Each day without a comprehensive resolution allows extremists to gain ground and more Palestinian lands to fall into the hands of radical settlers.  

The recent war demonstrated that the risks of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict extend beyond historic Palestine.

The flames could engulf the entire region in any renewed cycle of violence, and the cost borne by regional states continues to rise.

This leaves no luxury of staying aloof and compels them to support a new peace initiative actively.

Simultaneously, the international attention garnered by the Palestinian cause during the latest conflict represents an opportunity to establish an international coalition for Middle East peace.  

Peace will not come tomorrow, but there is no alternative to launching a new attempt immediately.