Israel's Next Steps: Road to Maintaining Peace
By Spencer Samet
Israel now faces the most pivotal moment in its history. A ceasefire has been reached, marking the end of nearly 470 days of conflict between five different nations. The deal has brought a fragile calm to a region plagued by turmoil, but it also raises vital questions about what comes next. Does the ceasefire mark a temporary halt in unavoidable hostilities, or can it serve as a foundation for lasting peace?
The final ceasefire deal, which was a product of countless negotiations between the United States, Egypt, Qatar, Belgium, and Colombia, includes critical components throughout three distinct stages aimed at reducing tensions and aiding the humanitarian crisis that is prevalent throughout the Gaza Strip. This multi-step deal that is poised to be completed over the following months begins with the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages (women, children, older men, and the sick) for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners (some of whom were serving life sentences for murder within Israel). Although the deal seemingly marks the end of the conflict for the foreseeable future, many Israelis are unhappy with the terms.
The controversy surrounding this deal comes from the fact that Israel has paid the price for these lopsided exchanges before. Back in 2011, Israel released 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for one Israeli prisoner. Of those 1,000 Palestinians, the name Yahya Sinwar is particularly notable. Around 12 years later, Sinwar would end up being one of the chief Hamas architects of the massacre on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 civilians.
Regardless of your feelings about the war and this ceasefire, it does mark a temporary reprieve from this conflict’s seemingly never-ending violence and despair. However, while it has stopped immediate bloodshed, its broader success depends on what steps Israel takes now to solidify this fragile peace.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas over the past year, along with the recent ceasefire deal, have only intensified the existing political polarization and societal divisions within Israel. This has without a doubt hindered the nation’s autonomy and ability to navigate external challenges.
Fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope for the struggling country. The crucial first step came when Benjamin Givr, leader of the far-right, ultra-nationalist, and anti-Arab coalition “Otzma Yehudit,” or “Jewish Power Party,” resigned his party from the Israeli government. This effectively removed six seats from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, still leaving him with the majority (62 seats), but signaling a shift away from the extremist rhetoric that exacerbated tensions between Israel and its neighbors. Hopefully, Givr’s decision to resign can inspire other right-wing coalition leaders, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party, who has also expressed strong opposition to the recent ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Even with Smotrich’s decision to remain loyal to Netanyahu, it is clear that the Prime Minister’s far-right coalition is vulnerable and at clear risk of triggering a no-confidence vote (loss of majority in Knesset, Israel’s unicameral legislature). This no-confidence vote would lead to the election of a new prime minister.
While the majority of representatives in Knesset support Netanyahu, it is unclear whether the majority of the Israeli population does. Netanyahu remains an extremely polarizing figure in Israel; his leadership has become a basis for division within Israeli society. Through conflict and beyond, it is critical to ensure more sustainable governance on both an international and domestic scale, for which the introduction of a less divisive leader is necessary. Israel needs a leader capable of uniting the country across political, religious, and social lines. I believe that moving away from this age of conservatism in exchange for a moderate and more widely accepted figure could create an environment capable of combating the laundry list of issues that Israel and the Jewish people are facing.
Domestic reform, however, is not all that Israel needs. The ceasefire provides Israel with an exceptional opportunity to rebuild and strengthen its relationships with key international actors. The retaliation against Hamas within the Gaza Strip has significantly strained Israel’s standing on the global stage, with widespread criticism over military actions and the resulting humanitarian crises in Gaza. Moving forward, Israel must take deliberate steps to repair its international image and start rebuilding alliances in the region.
There are thousands of innocents struggling for life’s necessities that require far more attention from Israel. It is reported that over 500,000 of them are facing catastrophic hunger. Their receiving of aid is indicative of a positive relationship between Israel and surrounding Arab countries like Egypt and Qatar. These nations can help Israel in building a foundation for further regional cooperation and stability.
Most importantly, Israel must restore confidence from the West. It is an undeniable fact that a harsh wave of anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist, and pro-Palestinian ideology has emerged from the Western youth following the October 7 attacks. This shift in ideology has put the lives of Jews across the country from college campuses to public settings.
I believe social media is the main factor for this popular ideology evolving into mass demonstrations, violence, and university takeovers across the US. Israel tried to showcase their side of the story to remind the world of the atrocities of October 7, but their attempts were insignificant compared to the haunting videos that were released from ground zero in Gaza. However, debating the justification of these attacks is not something I am interested in doing. Instead, I believe that to win over the West and protect Jewish lives outside of Israel, Israel must demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding human rights and pursuing a two-state solution. This would include maintaining communication with Palestinian leadership and signaling a willingness to address grievances through diplomacy rather than military action. As I said before, the actions of Israel are of immediate concern for both Israelis and Jews around the world, and right now, both groups are at significant risk.
Overall, at this moment in Israel’s history with international approval rates at an all-time low, it is obvious that change needs to occur. The nation’s next steps will determine whether the fragile ceasefire can evolve into a lasting peace. While the end of active hostilities offers a glimmer of hope, the future depends on Israel’s ability to stabilize domestically and rebuild its international relationships.
If the country can shift to more inclusive leadership and prioritize diplomacy, there might be a clear path for a more secure, peaceful, and unified future benefiting Israelis, Jews, and Arabs worldwide.