By Jeremy Ben-Ami
WASHINGTON, D.C. –I’ve just returned from a J Street fact-finding Mission to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan with five Members of Congress and 16 national J Street leaders following suspension of the peace talks brokered by Secretary of State John Kerry.
After meeting officials, activists and business people on all sides, there’s no sugar-coating the gloom many feel at the Secretary’s inability, despite all the goodwill and energy he committed, to move the parties noticeably and meaningfully forward.
We recognize that with the coming announcement of a new Palestinian government, two-state diplomacy is over for the foreseeable future.
While failure clearly demands that we assess what could be done in the future to be successful, one thing remains clear to all the J Street leaders who went on this mission: our commitment to a two-state solution to this conflict.
Our meetings and experiences confirmed: there is no other idea for resolving this conflict that is remotely viable or acceptable. While Secretary Kerry may have failed to move these particular leaders at this particular time toward the goal, the goal remains the right one.
And even in the wake of disappointment, we still found reasons to be encouraged. For one, our meetings with nearly a dozen Israeli Knesset members from many political parties, including those in the coalition, as well as with President Shimon Peres, confirmed that the majority of the Israeli political establishment actively supports a two-state deal and recognizes its urgency.
Those who oppose it in Israel remain a distinct, often extreme minority which has managed to establish outsized political influence and power in the present government.
The question isn’t whether there is recognition among Israelis of the necessity of a two-state solution. Rather, it’s when and how will political change put that majority in the driver’s seat?
Here, as well, we saw a ray of light: much is in flux in Israeli politics. New and interesting alliances are being forged – for instance, the working relationship between Labor and the ultra-Orthodox parties.
Also, new parties in formation may reduce support for the harder right. One in particular to watch could be led by a former Likud MK named Moshe Kahlon, who is now considering building a new center-right party rooted in social justice.
With all this flux, there is no guarantee that the next elections in Israel will produce a coalition so beholden to the settlers and what we call the “One State Caucus.”
On the Palestinian side, we took hope in our tour of the new Palestinian city of Rawabi, a few miles north of Ramallah. The development looks much like a modern Israeli city, with modern high-rises, a shopping center, schools, places of worship and a clinic. It is slated to be ready for its first residents by the end of this year. The fact that Palestinians are building such a city in itself signifies a notable commitment to a peaceful future.
As well, our meetings with community leaders, business people and government officials reinforced our belief that there is a legitimate partner for peace on the Palestinian side.
Ringing in my ears throughout the trip was President Obama’s eloquent speech fifteen months ago, making fundamental arguments that remain true today.
Peace is necessary. We heard over and over again that Israel cannot remain both Jewish and democratic over time without a two-state solution. If we care about the future of the Jewish people and of Israel, we have to remain committed to this work even as the difficulties mount.
Peace is possible – true, it will take more than an energetic and determined American secretary of state to get us there. American leadership is necessary – but not sufficient. It will take political leadership from the parties, but a strong assist from the US and the international community will be vital when diplomacy is renewed.
And peace is just. Our visit to the deserted streets of Hebron’s Old City reminded us that occupation is and must always be absolutely morally and strategically unacceptable. It shouldn’t take a visit by the Pope to call that fact to the world’s attention.
Our visit reinforced just how much J Street and our pro-Israel, pro-peace partners here and in Israel have to do. It deepened our commitment to bring home both the positive message of developments like Rawabi and the negative about the ongoing, corrosive impact of occupation on Israel and on the day-to-day lives of the Palestinians.
Moving forward, J Street is appropriately reviewing strategy and tactics in light of the failure of these talks. We’re listening to our members and analyzing what happened over the past year in order to chart our path forward.
At some point, without question, efforts to get to a two-state solution will resume. It remains our job to help make that moment come as quickly as possible and to create conditions that make success more likely the next time around.
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Ben Ami is president of J Street, which supplied this column