The last two weeks of terrorist attacks have united right and left in heartbreak over the best of our murdered sons and daughters.
Hubble is common, but the conclusions and lessons are not the same, as expected.
Some on the ideological right think that this is further proof of the impossibility of peace, or even order, between Israelis and Palestinians, and some on the ideological left think the opposite conclusion: Palestinian terrorism is proof that we will continue to bleed from terrorist attacks until we return to the negotiating table with the Palestinians. An end to the occupation.
The latest sentiment was well described by Knesset member and former Meretz chairwoman Zehava Gal-On. "Here, life is as usual, with millions of Palestinians under our control."
I am also in favor of striving for understandings and agreements with the Palestinians.
I wish it was possible, must try.
I agree that the right has failed miserably in its approach to conflict, and it is leading us to doom with the illusion of annexation and sovereignty.
Moreover, I still believe in the vision of two states - including painful concessions on our part - even though we are not in the direction, because of us and because of them.
In the long run, I believe, with the willingness of both parties, and further to gradual and meaningful processes - it is possible.
This is the right thing for us, and I believe for them too.
But - and this is a big but - please do not tell us that it will stop Palestinian terrorism.
Please do not deceive us and yourself.
History has taught us that every concession, every agreement and every significant negotiation - brings with it a wave of terror and awakens the extremists.
The most severe attacks were during the Yitzhak Rabin era and the Oslo Accords, and we did not begin to experience terrorism during the Netanyahu era and the "management of the conflict."
Not only are we at a loss as to where to lead this conflict to end it.
The Palestinians also do not know what they want - one or two states, Israeli or Palestinian citizenship, who will fly away or be given a blue identity card - because there is no pan-Palestinian agreement on what they want to achieve and fulfill.
Do not communicate between the two.
Terrorism will not continue just because the occupation will continue.
It will simply last, and must be fought with zero tolerance.
The left-wing prophet Amos Oz wrote back in 2002 - and for years this article hung on my fridge like a compass - that there are actually two wars here: the just war of the Palestinian people to free themselves from the yoke of occupation, and the criminal war of fanatical Islam to destroy Israel and uproot the Jewish people.
Please do not confuse the two.
The attacks - they belong to the criminal war, and no peace or agreement will stop them, and they must be fought as if there is no occupation and without apologetics and guilt.
And peace - to which one should always strive without despair and cynicism, out of a Jewish, moral and human ideal.
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
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