The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been nothing short of horrifying.
Each day, we are confronted with images of devastation, loss of life, and destruction. Innocent Palestinians are perishing, while innocent Israelis are being held as hostages. Anti-war activists in Israel, comprising both Israeli and Palestinian individuals, advocate for a cessation of hostilities. Courageous anti-Hamas residents of Gaza vocally oppose the totalitarian regime that has deprived their region of democratic principles. Liberals and socialists within Israel are urging Prime Minister Netanyahu and his far-right cabinet to resign and to terminate their ongoing assaults on Palestine.
There have been too many stories of survivors of October 7th, how they were starved, beaten and raped by Hamas terrorists. I have seen too many photos of abandoned Hamas hideouts, where evidence of hoarding UN aid from their fellow Palestinians has become apparent. I have read too many accounts of anti-Gazan Hamas protestors, who are so brave to speak up against a regime that would sooner kill them than engage in dialogue, being kidnapped and “disappearing”. I have seen too many videos of starving Palestinian children begging for food and basic needs, only to be met with violence and death.
Prime Minister Netanyahu leads a regime that is determined to pursue the complete eradication of Palestine. His cabinet, characterised by a predominance of hard-right and far-right politicians, adheres to a variant of Zionism that is deeply anchored in extreme conservatism. His political adversaries, namely the Israeli Labour Party and Yesh Atid, have urged Netanyahu to resign and put an end to what they deem a barbaric conflict. Anti-war activists, who have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv advocating for peace and a two-state solution, have called for the removal of the Netanyahu administration.
My friend and his wife, who has family in Israel, visited a week before the attack on October 7th. Although the photographs he shared with me are his to disclose, he displayed images of a protest in which they both participated, comprising both Palestinians and Israelis who marched through the streets opposing the actions of Netanyahu against Israel’s independent judiciary, and called for equal rights for those Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank, to be the same as the rights of Palestinians living in Israel. Just as the actions of Hamas do not represent all Gazans, the actions of Netanyahu do not represent all Israelis.
A renewed commitment to a just, long-term peace is needed. Such progress can only be achieved when Hamas is removed from governance in Palestine, and the residents of Gaza are liberated from their totalitarian regime. Furthermore, accountability must be pursued for Prime Minister Netanyahu and his administration through appropriate channels, including reprimand by the International Criminal Court, for their actions in both Palestine and Israel. A mutually agreed-upon two-state solution grounded in international law, recognising the democratic rights and existence of a Palestinian state while ensuring the security of Israel from assaults, must be established. This framework should be supported by international governments committed to sustaining this resolution.
It can be done. But we must fight for it.
* Jack Meredith is a member of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and an active campaigner and canvasser with Swansea and Gower Liberal Democrats. His writing focuses on democratic reform, social justice, trade unionism, economic democracy, and the institutional foundations of effective government. He has written for the Fabians, Lib Dem Voice, Liberator, Nation Cymru, Bylines Cymru, and Centre Think Tank.
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10 Comments
Yes, the two state solution is the only solution. It may seem more remote than ever, but what else is there? A one-state where everybody lived peacefully with each other would take a lot more trust than a two-state, and building trust enough for that is a task and a half. Even so, one-state outcomes (not solutions) seem preferred by those who shout loudest. Only on Wednesday, Sheffield Greens voted in a council debate against the two-state solution, as if they were more interested in supporting the war effort of one of the belligerents than in ending the war and supporting peaceful coexistence.
” they’ve got to be protected
all their rights respected
till somebody we like
can be elected.
Members of the corps
all hate the thought of war
they’e rather kill them off by peaceful means
…”
Tonm Lehrer
In response to @Joe Otten:
I agree. While I’d like to think, in a perfect world there COULD be a one-state solution, it isn’t in the here and now.
Jack Meredith … I have seen too many photos of abandoned Hamas hideouts, where evidence of hoarding UN aid from their fellow Palestinians..
In that case please provide a link?..
It’s rather strange that, when asked to provide such ‘proof’, even the Israeli Government’s spokesperson, David Mencer, just attacks the interviewer rather than Produce these photos…
David Mencer…. “We have a ton of evidence!”
Interviewer …Can you please show us the evidence?..
David Mencer, ““HOW DARE YOU ASK US FOR EVIDENCE!”
There will be no two-state solution because Israel would have to relinquish power, control, and territory, they currently have, and there is no pressure on them to make them choose that option. South Africa choose to get rid of apartheid because international boycotts were damaging businesses and these business leaders wanted change. Unless the world is willing to act against Israel in a similar way, no progress will be made: Israel will just continue its gradual appropriation of Palestinian land as it squeezes away any lingering possibility of a two-state solution.
Responding to @expats:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/terrorists-fired-rocket-aid-distribution-114753560.html
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-humanitarian-foundation-says-two-its-us-aid-workers-injured-gaza-2025-07-05/
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/06/29/hamas-places-bounty-on-aid-workers-ghf/
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/07/24/un-refuses-to-cooperatively-distribute-aid-as-reported-hunger-grows-in-gaza/
https://unwatch.org/item-7/claim/claim-47-israel-is-using-starvation-as-a-weapon-of-war-in-gaza-post-october-7th/
https://aijac.org.au/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-aid-into-gaza/
https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/gazas-food-crisis-began-long-israel-hamas-conflict
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-gunmen-caught-on-tape-accusing-leaders-of-hoarding-humanitarian-aid-report/
And there are loads more, I’d be more than happy to either share them or have a private discussion with you, should you need my email ☺️
@expat
Just a heads up, I don’t want you to think ignored your request for sources, I have posted a comment but it’s currently under review! ☺️
The other viable solution is a three state solution as existed de facto before the current escalation. Autonomy of a kind for Palestinians will require a sponsor capable of handling internal and external security while abstaining from interfering in domestic affairs. In Gaza, any such force would require primarily Egyptian personnel and Arab oil state and Western funding. Egypt may not be ready for that role in the near future but I don’t expect the solution will come in the near future.
The 2 state solution is not possible because you cannot remove the Israeli settlers from the occupied territories as there are too many of them. Also the wall built by Israeli to separate Palistinians from Israelies does not follow any recognised borders.
A one state solution is impossible because the majority of people would not be Jewish and the state cannot then be both a Jewish state and a democracy. The whole point about Zionism is to have a majority Jewish state where (in theory) Jews will be safe. The Israeli government will never be persauded to support that.
The “population transfer” solution, completing the ethnic cleansing that started when the modern state of Israel was created is a solution which in practice means genocide which is what we are seeing today.
There isn’t a solution to the Arab Israeli conflict, the least worst option is to say you believe in a 2 state solution and act consistently with that position.
@Jack Meredith 6th Sep ’25 – 10:02am….
In your article you wrote……….. I have seen too many photos of abandoned Hamas hideouts, where evidence of hoarding UN aid from their fellow Palestinians…..
I asked for a link to these photos; instead you posted a selection of articles from Israeli newspapers and pro Israeli organisations (e.g. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies FDD, a neoconservative pro-Israel, anti-Iran lobby group)..
These articles all contain “The IDF claims that…” and “Credible sources (i.e. Israel) claim that…”…But NOT ONE of these photos you claim to have seen…
As for a ‘private discussion; what is the point? If all you have are more of the same I can read those for myself..
I refer you to..
David Mencer…. “We have a ton of evidence!”
Interviewer …Can you please show us the evidence?..
David Mencer, ““??????????/