Where Do We Go From Here?

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Gaza has been almost entirely destroyed

More than a year in, and no end in sight. Will it ever get any better?

Where Do We Go From Here?

More than a year into the Israel-Gaza conflict, the situation seems more hopeless than ever. The death toll and destruction are staggering: over 40,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed. Gaza lies in ruins, its survivors facing a dire humanitarian crisis, while Israelis grapple with deep trauma. Lebanon, too, is being dragged into devastation.

Seventy-five years into this conflict, we are at rock bottom. The question now is: where do we go from here?

The Futility of the Current Path

By any measure, the existing strategies have failed. Instead of fostering resolution, they’ve deepened divisions. The unrelenting suffering of Palestinians—and now Lebanese—fuels anger and despair, while rising insecurity in the Jewish community sparks fear and entrenchment.

The result?

  • Billions of dollars in destruction.
  • A severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with disease and famine looming.
  • Devastation in Lebanon.
  • Traumatized populations on all sides.
  • A volatile geopolitical landscape pulling in other nations.
  • A surge in global frustration, tension, and antisemitism.

It is clear: a different approach is needed.

The Case for a New Coalition

Extremism is at the helm, stoking endless violence. In Israel, Netanyahu’s far-right government consolidates its grip. In the U.S., Trump’s leadership emboldens hardliners. Among Palestinians, the devastation has amplified Hamas’s appeal.

The antidote? A grassroots coalition of moderates and peace advocates.

The antidote to extremism is a grassroots coalition of moderates and peace advocates

This coalition would unite the many Israelis, Palestinians, and others who yearn for an end to the violence. It would challenge the false binary of “pro-Palestinian” vs. “pro-Israel,” replacing it with a new alignment: extremists vs. rationalists who believe in coexistence.

Challenges and Opportunities

Building such a coalition won’t be easy, but it offers real hope.

Challenge: Opening Hearts to "the Other"

Bridging the divide requires courage. But I’ve seen it happen.

I’ve met Jewish allies at pro-Palestinian protests, their presence initially surprising but ultimately heartening. I’ve spoken with staunchly pro-Israel individuals; while tensions often surface, simple acts of empathy transform these exchanges into moments of connection.

Acknowledging each other’s humanity doesn’t diminish our grief or sense of injustice. It reminds us that we are not enemies by nature but by circumstance.

Opportunity: The Status Quo Has Shifted

For decades, Israel’s containment strategy—control over the West Bank and a blockade on Gaza—seemed sustainable. But it crushed Palestinian lives and was always destined to collapse.

Now, the world sees the status quo is untenable. This realization is the foundation upon which a new coalition can thrive.

Opportunity: Extremism’s Inevitable Decline

While extremists appear dominant, their voices are disproportionately loud. They represent a small, vocal minority—the “20% generating 80% of the noise.”

History will not be kind to them. A coalition of moderates can hasten their fall by amplifying rational voices and exposing extremism for the dead end it is.

Opportunity: The Moderates’ Shared Vision

Most Israelis and Palestinians long for the same thing: peace, security, and the chance to build a better life for their children. Addressing these basic needs—particularly in Gaza, where despair fuels extremism—can weaken radical ideologies and empower moderates.

Opportunity: International Intervention

This conflict cannot be resolved by Israelis and Palestinians alone. The international community must step in to:

  • Hold extremists accountable.
  • Rebuild Gaza and support development in the West Bank.
  • Enforce policies that curb destructive agendas.

Oversight and support from the global community are essential for lasting peace.

Conclusion: What Will You Choose?

The situation is dire, but it also presents an opportunity for radical change. Going back is not an option.

Now, you have three choices:

  1. Retreat to tribalism, joining calls for the “other” side’s destruction.
  2. Do nothing, believing the problem is too big to solve.
  3. Join the moderates, and help amplify the voice of peace and rationality.

The path forward is clear—but it requires all of us to act.