Israel and Palestine — yep, this again.
The conflict has been ongoing for quite some time, and I won’t begin to pretend like I completely understand it. Atrocities have been committed by both sides, and neither are innocent.
In the near future, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas plans to ask the United Nations for full Palestinian statehood. Influential Western powers, such as the United States, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, are urging Palestine to resolve this issue away from the U.N. floor, according to CNN.
Currently, the United States plans to veto Palestine’s bid if it comes to the U.N. Security Council. This action would be detrimental to U.S.-Arab relations, which is the last thing we need. 
In recent years, we’ve supported Israel virtually outright — financially, technologically and militarily. As a nation, we are somewhat biased toward the Israelis. Let’s face it, Israel was established as a result of heavy lobbying by wealthy European and American Jews in order to prevent another holocaust from happening.
Seems like a pretty good reason to establish a country to me. Israel is a Jewish safe haven.
Having said that, the way Israel went about becoming a nation was anything but diplomatic. Radical Zionist organizations, such as Irgun and Stern Gang, would carry out attacks against civilians.
One such attack was Irgun’s 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. The attack killed 91 people. The leader of Irgun, Menachem Begin, would later become prime minister of Israel.
Blatant acts of terrorism by both sides have done nothing but increase tensions over the years and helped to establish radical Islam as a popular ideology in the Middle East.
Regardless of whose side you support, both radical Islamic organizations and radical Zionist organizations that carry out attacks on civilians are terrorist organizations. End of story.
So what do we do about this? How will we respond to Palestine’s unilateral declaration of statehood? Israel declared unilateral independence in 1948, so it’s reasonable to think the Palestinians would eventually do the same thing.
I propose we appease the Palestinians while still maintaining a solid relationship with Israel. Israelis will argue that many Palestinians and Arabs want to destroy Israel, which is a good reason not to establish a Palestinian state. However, if establishing a Palestinian state, with borders and U.N. representation, could lead to peaceful coexistence between the two countries, then why not?
Moderation is the answer, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s never forget what both sides have done to each other, but at the same time, let’s never forget that every Israeli and every Palestinian is not a radical.
Moderates who strive for peaceful coexistence will come out on top. If Abbas cannot ensure peace with Israel if Palestine is given statehood, then the United States will continue to veto, veto, veto.
The Obama administration does not want to veto. It will make us look bad. Blocking the addition of a Palestinian state will do nothing but worsen our position in the Arab world.
The Arab world is important to us, and vetoing a Palestinian bid would likely create more radical Islamists with animosity towards America. Do we really want that?
Give Palestine statehood. I don’t care where or how much, just give them something. At the same time, however, watch them closely. Israel is our close friend and loyal ally in the Middle East. We can’t turn our back on them.
Ensuring peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs should be a top priority in the Middle East. Too many people have died on each side over the years, and it’s time to move forward. Peace is possible, and it’s our best option to maintain good relationships with both Israel and the Arab nations.
 
Parker Cramer is a 20-year-old political science junior from Houston, Texas. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_pcramer.
 
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Contact Parker Cramer at [email protected]