The Israel-Palestine conflict has been ongoing for decades, with both sides experiencing significant human suffering. Despite numerous attempts at diplomacy, a lasting resolution has yet to be achieved. The recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant loss of life and property, highlighting the urgent need for a peaceful solution.

The United Nations, established to promote international peace and security, has faced criticism for its effectiveness in addressing global conflicts. The organization's inability to prevent or resolve conflicts in various regions, including the Middle East, has raised questions about its efficacy.

The Israel-Palestine conflict is complex, with deep-rooted historical, political, and religious factors at play. A comprehensive approach, involving diplomacy, political will, and a commitment to human rights and international law, is necessary to achieve a lasting peace.

Hardline positions and military actions alone will not resolve the conflict. Instead, they may exacerbate the situation, leading to further violence and suffering. A more constructive approach, focusing on mutual understanding, compromise, and cooperation, is essential.

The international community has a critical role to play in supporting peace efforts. Encouraging negotiation, humanitarian relief, and adherence to international law can help create an environment conducive to peace. The involvement of global leaders and organizations, like the United Nations, is crucial in facilitating a peaceful resolution.

Ultimately, a peaceful solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict requires a commitment to diplomacy, compromise, and the well-being of all parties involved. By working together and seeking a path to peace, we can reduce human suffering and create a more stable and secure world.

It is imperative to recall that two decades ago, former President Billy Clinton, successfully carried out a mission that saved the minority Albanians from Serbian aggression under the late Slobodan Milosevic. Additionally, the former President is renowned for brokering the Oslo Accord, which represented the most promising avenue towards achieving peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Why not utilize President Clinton's diplomatic prowess to mediate the peace?

Prime Minister Netanyahu would be wise to revisit the Oslo Accord of 1993, wherein Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin forged a peace agreement. As the longest-serving Israeli premier, Netanyahu should prioritize his legacy by establishing clear pathways towards a peaceful Israel, rather than focusing on the number of bombs dropped on Gaza or the number of Hamas rebels killed in the operation.

It is crucial to acknowledge that extremism is not exclusive to Muslim Palestinians; it is also a challenge for Israelis. Notably, the ultranationalist who assassinated Rabin during a 1995 rally in support of the Oslo Accord was not a Muslim, but a Jew. Hardline positions from both sides will only exacerbate the crisis, emboldening internal and external extremist groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab, who are determined to wreak further havoc on humanity.

 If the conflict is not contained, it may spread to other volatile nations in the region, such as Syria and Lebanon. Moreover, as the global community takes sides in the conflict, it may escalate into another global war, given that countries like Russia, Iran, China, France, and Britain have already taken sides.

This is a critical moment for powerful nations to demonstrate leadership by encouraging negotiations for a truce, the release of hostages, a cessation of Israeli bombing, the provision of humanitarian relief to Gaza, and urging Israel to uphold international humanitarian law to protect innocent civilians.

By Lister Nyaringo,

A Kenyan American living in Seattle, Washington