The horrific events in Israel and Gaza since the Hamas attack on October 7 beg the question: What do we finally have to do to realize both Jewish and Palestinian nationalist aspirations and bring peace? Smarter minds than mine have tried and failed for decades to solve this tragic conflict, but if you’ll indulge me for a few minutes, I’d like to take a crack at it.

Out of respect for your time, don’t bother reading the rest of this article if the following sentiment does not ring true to you:

In order to achieve a lasting solution, both nations must seriously recognize the pain and legitimacy of the other side. They don’t have to agree on whether one side suffered more than the other because, human nature being what it is, they won’t. They do, however, need to pay more than “lip service” sympathy to the other nation’s trauma. They both need to accept that each side has some legitimate grievances and that both nations are entitled to self-determination.

Do you generally agree with the above observation? If not, thank you for your time. If yes, please determine if the following sentiment also rings true to you:

When there is an argument between human beings, there are always two sides to the story. Sure, an impartial observer may determine that one side is more “right” than the other. But rarely, if ever, is one side 100% right and the other side 100% wrong. It is never black and white, rather some shade of gray. You may argue that it is a dark shade gray in one side’s favor, but it is nevertheless still a shade of gray. This is especially true when it comes to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Regardless of where your sympathies lie most—and there are ample reasons to sympathize with aspects of both sides-- the conflict is a shade of gray, sadly saturated with blood and tears.

Do you generally agree with the above observation? If not, thank you for your time. If yes, please determine if the following sentiment also rings true to you:

Resolving conflicts in a manner that will remain durable-- and does not entail wiping your adversary from existence-- requires compromise. Moreover, the more intractable the conflict has been, the more painful the compromises feel to each side. The irony is that mutually painful compromise is actually a sign that the suggested resolution is on the right track. Bottom line? Justice will not be fully served for either party. Neither will receive all of what they seek, and this will necessitate making concessions that feel intolerable in some cases. But these concessions must be made to ensure an overall solution is achievable.

Do you generally agree with the above observation? If not, thank you for your time. If yes, please determine if the following statement also feels right to you:

The solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict should be a two-state solution— a Jewish State and a Palestinian State, living side-by-side in peace. This would give Palestinians the self-determination they seek, while also providing Jews the safety of self-rule that history has shown they need to survive. A one state solution is a non-starter because it would mean the end of the Jewish State if it wishes to remain democratic, which it does. And given the decades of animosity generated by the conflict, one state is not realistic from a practical level either. As for sticking with the status quo we’re living with now, well, how’s that working out for everyone?

Do you generally agree with the above statement? If not, thank you for your time. If yes, here’s a final question before we get to the proposed roadmap. Do you basically agree with the following statement:

The extremist voices on both sides of the conflict have too much influence and power over their respective constituencies. That is, the settler movement and its enablers on the Israeli side, and Jihadi organizations (Hamas/Islamic Jihad) and its enablers on the Palestinian side. Over the decades, whenever significant peace efforts appeared poised to bear fruit, extremists committed violent acts and did whatever they could to disrupt the efforts at reconciliation. This is because extremists do not see the world in shades of gray. For them it is black and white. A zero-sum game if you will. So, to realize a two-state solution— one which will unfortunately, but necessarily, require mutually painful compromises— the extremists must be firmly marginalized on both sides. If the leaders of each nation are unable or unwilling to do whatever it takes to sideline the extremists, there is little chance for a lasting resolution.

Do you generally agree with the above observation? If not, thank you for your time. If yes, thank heavens, we can move on to the fun part: The roadmap.

Well, “fun” is obviously meant facetiously. The proposed compromises will no doubt seriously challenge even the moderates on both sides. But again, the mutual angst and distaste for the compromise are a sign that we’re probably on the right track. And, as history has shown, extremists will no doubt attempt to derail the process in violent fashion. When they do, calmer heads on both sides will need to firmly address it and not allow it to spiral out of control. This will require Herculean patience and mutual support from leaders on both sides. Bottom line: We can’t let the tail continue to wag the dog. Been there, done that, and the results are undeniably tragic.

The stated goal of both nations must clearly be the following: Two states, one Jewish, one Palestinian, on lands divided along the pre-1967 borders, but modified via land swaps to best separate populations and ensure maximum geographic contiguity. A clear majority of each population must agree to the compromises, via an independently administered poll. If confirmed, the Palestinian State would be declared and accepted by Israel and the world community as soon as the following three pillars are achieved:

1. Extremists must be clearly marginalized and disempowered. This includes:

• Israel must do the following:

  • Cease settlement expansion immediately.

  • All settlers, except those in land swap areas, must either resettle with government assistance to Israel proper, or agree to live peacefully as a minority under the new Palestinian State.

  • Amend their Declaration of Independence to clearly and explicitly support a two-state solution— one Jewish, one Arab— committed to living as peaceful neighbors.

  • Ensure all schools and any government-funded religious institutions educate in a manner that extols the rights of both Jews and Palestinians to their own state.

  • The above must be achieved without delay, backed up by military force as needed.

• Palestinian Authorities must do the following:

  • Disarm and completely disempower any jihadi organizations (Hamas/Islamic Jihad, etc.).

  • Revise their charter to clearly and explicitly support a two-state solution— one Jewish, one Arab— committed to living as peaceful neighbors.

  • Ensure all schools and any government-funded religious institutions educate in a manner that extols the rights of both Jews and Palestinians to their own state.

  • The above must be achieved without delay, backed up by military force as needed.

[NOTE: If the above is not done by both parties in good faith, the rest of this document is meaningless. It requires the ultimate will and courage for both nations to finally choose the compromising middle path and do what is necessary to marginalize the extremists who continue to be obstacles to lasting peace].

2. Painful Land Compromises, which may in some cases require population transfers by some of each nation’s population. These would be finalized via good faith negotiations, and may or may not include the following recommendations:

• Redrawing the borders to allow Israel to incorporate a limited number of high population settlements near the pre-1967 border, in exchange for Israel ceding similar size and quality land along the northern and/or southern borders of the West Bank.

• To ensure land contiguity and eliminate divisions between the West Bank and Gaza, Gaza would become part of Egypt. In negotiation with Egypt, Gaza would be annexed by Egypt and all Gazans would either be given meaningful compensation to relocate to the West Bank or remain in Gaza and be granted full Egyptian citizenship. International support would be given to Egypt to help them with the associated risks and responsibilities of such a transition. Extra development aid would be given to residents to help them develop Gaza into a prosperous seaside resort destination benefiting the entire population.

• Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, but Palestinians would be allowed to have their capital in East Jerusalem provided it is demilitarized. The Old City would remain under Israeli control, with special international oversight of the holy places.

3. Settlement of Refugee Statuses. Both Palestinians and Jews were displaced in 1948 and well before then, dating back centuries. To support the viability a the two-state solution, the following painful concessions must be accepted:

• Jews, and their descendants, who were displaced from Arab countries in 1948 and its aftermath, release all claims to return and to any compensation for lost property.

• Palestinians, and their descendants, who were displaced from Israel in 1948 and its aftermath, release all claims to return and to any compensation for lost property.

• Arab countries will agree to grant a full path to citizenship to any law-abiding Palestinian that wishes to remain in their host country.

• While Palestinians will not be allowed to return to Israel, they will be allowed to return to the newly established Palestinian State.

The above compromises, while clearly upsetting and challenging to many people on both sides, would give the nations clear and contiguous borders that offer the best chance at long-term viability. It would also sideline the extremists that have made peace impossible all these years.

In sum, if both parties are truly willing to turn the page— not to forget the past, but to commit to starting anew with a clean slate— they must seriously accept that a zero-sum game is both unjust and untenable. Without serious compromises that in some cases require painful sacrifices of some long-held “sacred” positions, we cannot not forge a durable solution. As the famous song lyrics go:

You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometime you’ll find
You get what you need.

I think most sane human beings agree that what we need is peace. So, each side needs to work on themselves and be prepared to make the painful compromises it requires to stand a chance. It’s our only hope.

This piece was written by someone who has studied the conflict for decades and deeply wants a peaceful resolution. If you have comments, suggestions, and/or would like to be listed as a supporter of this roadmap, you can reach out to the author here.