Palestinians may have danced in the streets with the news of the ceasefire, but let’s not overlook why they are celebrating (and what they are not celebrating). People on the brink of extermination are celebrating a reprieve from constant bombardment and starvation, and nothing more.

If the last two years have done anything, they has removed the possibility of a two-state solution or even an initial shared state. Far too much damage has been done to not lead with a free Palestine and accountability for Israel.

One of Israel’s propaganda tactics has been to convince the world that a free Palestine means removal or killing of all Jewish people between the river and the sea. This is far from the case. Jewish people lived in peace in Palestine prior to 1947 and would continue to do so in a free Palestine.

What’s required for a true path to peace in the region is the following: accountability on Israel’s part, which includes its dissolvement and appropriate consequences for the many war criminals — both in the government and the IDF — and Palestine made a completely free self-determined state.

From there, the Israelis who stood up for Palestinian rights and a free Palestine can begin the process of a state shared not just in relegated coexistence, but a peaceful harmonious existence that will spread across the world.

Christopher Claar
Gray