Letters | A lasting peace

A just and lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without confronting the realities of the Palestinian occupation, dispossession, ethnic cleansing and grievances. When these issues remain unaddressed, cycles of violence, militarisation and instability are likely to persist. Justice must extend beyond procedural measures such as ceasefires.

It requires that Palestinians realise their fundamental human rights, including equality, dignity, the ability to determine their future and freedom from occupation and imperialism. The occupation of Palestine remains central to understanding the conflict and broader Middle East dynamics, and it has become costly in its forms. For decades, it has shaped regional tensions and political alignments.

Analyses that overlook this dimension risk being incomplete, while those that engage with it are better positioned to identify pathways towards peace. At its core, a just resolution depends on frameworks that prioritise mutual recognition of Palestine over Zionist agendas of expansionism, occupation and settler colonialism. Conditions that foster fairness and a shared sense of humanity make coexistence more achievable.

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Despite enduring hardship, Palestinians continue to demonstrate resilience. History often shows that legitimacy and persistence can outlast overwhelming force, as evidenced during apartheid in South Africa. Ultimately, a just resolution would transform the reality for Palestinians and contribute to broader regional stability, opening the door to co-operation, renewal and a hopeful future.

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