Editorial

A Vision Of Peace

With the signing of the Sharm al-Sheikh accord in September, and given its goal of reaching a framework agreement for final status issues between Palestinians and Israelis within a year, it is not unrealistic to begin to speak about a long-term vision of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for the Middle East. Along with such a settlement comes the need to create a culture of peace throughout the region in which peoples can live in proximity to each other in relative harmony and good will. While the time frame for moving toward a permanent settlement may be optimistic, it nevertheless suggests that major changes could occur in the near future

As the results of previous accords in the region have shown, however, peace agreements between governments do not necessarily translate into true peace between peoples. Suspicions, hostilities, resentments, and unresolved tensions cloud and impede the development of better relations despite the legal sanction of that possibility. Now, as the possibility of permanently resolving the core elements of the Arab-Israeli conflict at the official level becomes palpable, the hard work of addressing the people-to-people level becomes even more critical.

Is the region prepared for real peace? Some recent events suggest not. The vehement opposition to the July meeting of the International Alliance for Arab-Israeli Peace in Cairo indicates the nature of the problems to be overcome. Opposition in Jordan to journalists traveling to Israel has also been strong in recent weeks. In addition, hardliners in Israel who reject territorial and other compromises with Arab governments retain considerable influence among their constituencies.

The individuals in each country who usually have the most impact on such issues – intellectuals, writers, and academics – are often at the forefront of efforts to speed up or slow down the development of better relations with former enemies. Their influence on entire populations can be critical, and it is these groups that must be willing to take on the difficult task of adjusting perspectives if real peace is to even be contemplated.

The role of NGOs – international, regional, and domestic – will also be very important in the continuing effort to achieve the peaceful integration of the Middle East. Creating a civil society in which freedoms and rights can be expressed without fear is difficult yet necessary if genuine peace is to be achieved. In establishing voices that encourage a culture of peace, NGOs must provide examples and set the tone for new approaches to resolving regional conflicts.

Clearly a multiplicity of voices is needed to change established patterns of mistrust in the Middle East, and the possibility to do so is increasing as formal barriers between peoples begin to dissolve. With the revival of the peace process, fundamental questions about the region’s future are now on the table for all parties.