For many years, Israelis and Palestinians have been trapped in cycles of violence that have resulted in significant suffering. This situation is deeply rooted in a complex political and security landscape, which has been exacerbated by leaders who have prioritized short-term gains over lasting peace. The consistent failures of these leaders, including those at the highest levels of U.S. leadership, have repeatedly led to violent outbursts, corruption, and a lack of political vision.
These failures are shared by all parties involved in this conflict. Israel has systematically infringed upon the rights of Palestinians within its borders and in occupied territories, while also seeking to eliminate support for displaced Palestinians outside its boundaries. Concurrently, various state and non-state actors have pledged to annihilate Israel's existence—with some entities such as the Iranian-backed terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah committing regular acts of violence against Israelis.
The backdrop for this conflict was further darkened when Hamas carried out one of the most horrific atrocities against Israelis in history on October 7. In this attack, approximately 1,200 people were massacred—including women, children, and the elderly—and 260 hostages were taken. Many of these hostages have since died in captivity. In response to this act of terror, Israel launched one of the most brutal military offensives witnessed in recent history—resulting in over 34,000 Palestinian deaths with more than two-thirds being women and children.
However daunting this conflict may seem, it does not need to be permanent. The United States holds a crucial role in resolving it. As the primary guarantor of Israeli security—with over $100 billion invested in military aid since Israel's establishment—the United States has a unique relationship with Israel based on principles of security and democracy. This relationship obligates the United States to use its influence more assertively to uphold these principles today.
The urgency is palpable: famine has already begun in Gaza due to drastic deterioration in food security over the past six months. This situation will worsen without immediate relief efforts. The region remains on the brink of conflict following months of violence in Gaza and acts of aggression by Iran and Israel across borders. Amidst this chaos, the United States must leverage its influence to resolve these interconnected political, security, and humanitarian crises.
This crisis demands that U.S. policymakers:
- Strengthen American political and diplomatic leadership in the region
- Uphold U.S. and international law in our support to Israel and the region
- Leverage American power to ensure the full rights and security of the Palestinian people
- Set transparent goals
- Prioritize the protection of civilians and human rights in our interventions
- Orient our engagement towards long term political solutions to end occupation and deliver security and peace
These actions should be guided by a set of principles that include:
- Respecting international law
- Protecting human security for Israelis and Palestinians alike
- Recognizing the need for justice and remedy for wrongs
- Centering self-determination as critical to a just peace
- Demanding that government actors are accountable to their people
- Taking a firm stance against discrimination and hatred in all forms
These principles are both urgent and enduring. They aim to provide a foundation for ongoing efforts to secure a durable end to the current conflict, as well as offer a broad framework for U.S. policymakers as they advance plans to deliver peace and security to Israelis, Palestinians, and the wider region.
