Cold Peace Is No Peace

Diplomates and others will attempt various solutions to various problems.  The "cold peace" between the Egyptians and the Israelis was one such effort by America to solve a diplomatic problem.  They wanted Egypt on their side.  And, they also wanted a situation that Israel could live with.  The peace agreement hammered out between Sadat and Begin seemed to be the solution.  It was highly favorable to Egypt.  It had great benefits for Israel.  And, it provided benefits for the U.S.

But, in reality it was no peace; it was a truce.  Sadat was assassinated and with that ended all movement toward a friendship between Israel and the Egyptians.  The truce was a good thing, but we now see it was not nearly enough.

A people will work for a better nation only if they share a common vision as to what they want for their nation.  If they want human rights, if they want to see corruption lowered, if they want their economy to grow and benefit its citizens, the leadership must work with the people and educate them as to what they must all do to achieve their goals.  This never happened in Egypt.

The two poles in Egyptian politics were the Muslim Brotherhood and Mubarak and his military staff.  As the economy continued to suffer, the people rose up.  But, their struggle for independence has been exceedingly messy.  Had there been a real peace between Israel and Egypt, Israel could have shown the Egyptians the path to a better life.  But no foundation for a more lasting peace was ever built.  Ordinary Egyptians are denied the right to visit Israel.  And with the current struggles between the religious fundamentalists and the secular Muslims, Egypt is not a place that Israelis would want to visit.

Cultural exchanges between the Arabs and the Israelis under the auspices of both nations is critical if real peace is ever to be achieved.  This prescription for peace is equally valid if peace is to be achieved between the Israelis and the Palestinians.