Book Review: A Path to Peace by George Mitchell

George Mitchell’s recent book, A Path to Peace, first summarizes the sad, past history of attempts to reach a peaceful agreement between Palestine and Israel. The two-state solution has been most often pursued. The list of reasons why this has not been achieved is long, painful, and full of death: mistrust between the parties, recurring violence, lack of clear representation from the Palestinian side, the role of Hamas, the complex geography made more complicated by the Israeli settlements, and the fact that neither side perceives sufficient need to cooperate in a solution.

While there has been some economic advancement on the Palestinian side, Israel’s success has been remarkable. For example, Mitchell points out that after the US and China, Israel has the third highest number of companies listed on the NASDAQ. The widening economic disparity between the Israel and Palestine has only made compromise more difficult.

Mitchell proposes a map by which peace could be achieved. First, Mitchell recommended that President Obama outline principles for a solution. This did not occur.

Mitchell stated his own principles for an agreement. He believed the agreement must be based on the 1967 lines with land swaps. Resettlement provisions should be made for displaced Palestinians. Security arrangements must be real and effective. Jerusalem should be the capital of both states.

Mitchell further proposed that the plan would be energized by the establishment of an international fund for Palestinian refugees, by the West guaranteeing Israeli security, and by the generation of a fund for building housing for both Israelis and Palestinians displaced by the political solution.

Mitchell did not believe that current conditions are conducive to a settlement. A political solution will not occur until such time as one or both parties reach a stage of desperation.

A settlement between the two states would go a long way in advancing peace in the Middle East.

From a Christian prospective, one would like to place such a peace in a Biblical framework. The old idea that the rebirth of Israel in 1948 represents the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy has long lost its vigor. As Christians we must await the Lord’s unfolding of His plan. Only then will the Biblical framework fit.