Since its inception as an independent state in 1948 Israel has not had a single day of peace even though all Israelis crave peace. But to stop defending itself in the face of Arab attacks would mean the end of Israel. The Israel-Arab conflict is largely misunderstood by most people.

• The core reason for the conflict has always been Arab refusal to accept Israel's right to sovereignty in any part of the Middle East.
• Independence for the Arabs of Palestine is not the source of the conflict. In 1948, in parallel with Israel, they could have set up their own independent state. But they refused to accept the idea of any region for the Jews, so they went to war and lost. Since then they could have achieved independence a few times through negotiation. But the aim to destroy Israel has always obstructed the creation of an independent Palestine − as is the case right now.
• Since Israel's independence, there have been three major wars involving most of the Arab countries, as well as numerous other serious campaigns to destroy or weaken Israel.
• Israel is so eager to live in peace that it keeps handing over territories previously used by Arabs to launch their assaults. Thus for instance, Sinai has been returned to Egypt three times.
• A serious impediment to peace has always been international meddling − jockeying for influence in the oil-rich Middle East.
• U.S.A.-brokered peace agreements did result in peace agreements between Israel and Egypt and Jordan (which unfortunately have not forged peaceful links between the peoples).
• The Arab refugee problem was totally unnecessary and could have been solved two generations ago. This tragedy has been perpetuated by the Arabs themselves so as to use it as a strategic weapon against Israel.
• The use of half-truth, falsehood and selective omission has been a major aspect in the perpetuation of the conflict.

So, is peace really possible? Click