Ms. Salman and Ms. Pundak are part of a new generation of peacemakers who want to contribute to the discussion on what happens after the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians ends. They recognize the challenges of finding a diplomatic solution that has troubled world leaders for decades. Even considering peace during a time of war can seem unrealistic.
However, Ms. Pundak emphasizes the importance of having these conversations now, as they directly impact the situation in Gaza. She is the Israeli CEO of an organization called A Land for All, which includes members from both Israeli and Palestinian backgrounds.
Ms. Salman, the co-director of Combatants for Peace, agrees and states that this is the first time Israelis truly experience the same pain as Palestinians since the Holocaust. She sees this as a crucial test of people’s commitment to peace.
Recently, Ms. Salman’s group organized a meeting that brought together Israeli and Palestinian members, resulting in an emotional but inspiring gathering.
According to the two women, the feasibility of a deal based on the separation of Israelis and Palestinians has changed since the Oslo Accords. With nearly two million Palestinians living in Israel and over 500,000 settlers in the West Bank, the two populations are deeply intertwined, each desiring a homeland on the same land.
Ms. Pundak proposes a confederation of two states rather than a single state or a simple division into two. She envisions a shared homeland similar to the European Union, which brought together countries like France and Germany that were once at war.
To make this confederation work, both sides would need to agree to conditions such as the free movement of Israelis and Palestinians, resolution of refugee claims, and the authority of common institutions to address human rights, natural resources, and economic cooperation. Palestinians in Israel would participate in Palestinian elections, while Israelis in a future Palestine would vote in Israel.
Ms. Pundak suggests that Jerusalem would become a shared capital, with its holy sites managed by an international authority that includes representatives from various religions.