The last Israeli to negotiate with the Palestinians - with Tzipi Livni (Part 1)

The conflict between Israel and Hamas is not just a political issue, but also a religious one. Tzipi Livni, a prominent Israeli politician with extensive experience in diplomacy, emphasizes the importance of addressing this conflict before it escalates further. Livni's background is deeply rooted in Israeli history, as her parents were founding members of the Irgun, a pre-state organization that fought against British rule to establish a Jewish state. Her upbringing in a politically charged environment shaped her views, and she grew up with stories of her parents' contributions to Israel's independence often being overlooked. Livni's unique perspective, informed by her personal history and diplomatic experience, makes her an invaluable voice in the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Understanding different perspectives and identities is crucial for effective politics, especially in the context of complex conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian situation. The speaker grew up with a unique perspective due to his upbringing and experiences, which influenced his approach to negotiations and identity-based politics later in life. He emphasized the importance of being part of a group and drawing vision and policy from that sense of belonging. The speaker's background in the Mossad and his legal profession also shaped his worldview and approach to politics. He joined politics in 1995, initially hesitant but ultimately driven by a desire to address the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a new way. Throughout his political career, he held various senior positions, including minister of justice and foreign minister, and led negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. His approach to these roles was rooted in his belief that politics is a platform for promoting views and visions, and that understanding the differences within Israeli society is essential for finding solutions to complex conflicts.

The speaker's vision for Israel is to maintain it as a Jewish democratic secured state with equal rights for all citizens. However, achieving this goal requires a Jewish majority to prevent clashes between Israel's identity as a Jewish state and a democracy. The speaker has attempted to negotiate peace agreements with the Palestinians but acknowledges that without a partner, they may need to find alternative routes to reach their destination. The current Israeli government, on the other hand, prioritizes the land of Israel over democracy, which creates a significant divide in visions for the state. The speaker's personal experience on October 7, 2023, was a turning point as they realized the gravity of the situation and returned to Israel to support their family and country. Despite the challenges, the speaker remains committed to the idea of Israel as a Jewish democratic secured state.

The trauma experienced by Israelis during the October 7th, 2000 events, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, went beyond the numbers of casualties and hostages. The cruelty and deliberate nature of the attacks left many feeling helpless and questioning the existence of their Jewish state. This sense of helplessness and massacre, reminiscent of historical Jewish communities in Europe and other parts of the world, was a new experience for Israelis. The comparison to the Holocaust was not a mere exaggeration, but a reflection of the depth of the trauma. The lack of international understanding and empathy for the unique nature of these crimes against humanity only added to the ongoing trauma. Israelis continue to grapple with the memories of those horrific events and the ongoing hostage situation.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex issue with deep historical roots and a long history of failed negotiations. The speaker, a former Israeli politician, shares his perspective on the importance of addressing the core issues comprehensively and avoiding unilateral actions. He emphasizes the need to distinguish between national and religious conflicts, and the significance of the two-state solution for ending the conflict. The speaker also shares his personal evolution in politics, from advocating for a Palestinian state to supporting disengagement from Gaza, and the importance of securing international support for any unilateral actions. Ultimately, he believes that a comprehensive agreement, based on the two-state solution, is the only way to achieve lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

During her tenure as Israel's foreign minister, Tzipi Livni advocated for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine based on the Bush administration's "two states for two peoples" policy. She shared her beliefs with Condoleezza Rice and, as a result, President Bush wrote a letter acknowledging the existence of settlement blocks and the establishment of a Palestinian state as the answer to the Palestinian right of return. Livni also tried to prevent Hamas from participating in Palestinian elections, believing that a democratic government should not allow the use of force by armed militias. However, Hamas won the elections and took control of Gaza, leading to the territory becoming known as "Hamastan." Since then, Israel has only negotiated for a resolution of the conflict with the legitimate representatives of the Palestinians, the PLO, and has conditioned the inclusion of Gaza in a future Palestinian state on the control of a legitimate government that is willing to demilitarize the area.

Key takeaway from the conversation with Tsipi Livni is that during her tenure as Israel's foreign minister, she advocated for a tough military stance against extremists and terrorists in the Palestinian territories while working politically with the international community to isolate Hamas. However, she was opposed to the 2011 deal that led to the release of Gilad Shalit in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, emphasizing that it was a different situation from the ongoing issue of releasing Israeli hostages, which is seen as an open wound in Israeli society. Despite her opposition to negotiating with Hamas, she believed in engaging with the Palestinian Authority to find a peaceful solution. Unfortunately, her approach was not followed by her successors, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, who pursued a different path. This conversation provides valuable insights into the complexities of Israeli-Palestinian relations and the challenges of finding a lasting peace. Stay tuned for part 2 of the conversation with Tsipi Livni.