Both Palestinian and Israeli leaders are now one step closer toward peace in the long run. The Israeli flag was lowered Sunday, completing an entire Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip after almost 40 years of occupation.
But it's only a start to ending the deep-rooted conflict.
The withdrawal began on Aug. 15 and was completed early after a vote from the Israeli Cabinet, but Israel still has control over many aspects of the strip. The 8,500 relocated Israelis were given between $200,000 and $400,000 compensation for leaving the area. Israeli settlers began fighting and rioting against the withdrawal to support Israeli occupation in the area.
Despite the surge in increased violence, this move was the best to ensure the security of both the Israelis and the Palestinians. It's going to take time and there are, more than likely, going to be more protests and terrorism. Although these protests are contributing to the amount of violence, in the long run, the military withdrawal can only contribute to a more peaceful area. And we know it'll be a long time - if ever - before we can call it a peaceful area. Yet the battle has now pointed in a forward-moving direction, instead of stagnating through many years as it has.
What's important to recognize here is that a compromise was made. In the decades of violence surrounding the Gaza Strip, both sides were virtually unwilling to make a large compromise toward peace. Sacrifices have to be made in order to achieve it, even though it's impossible to please both sides. It's difficult as Americans to choose sides in this debate, but it's not difficult to recognize the symbolism this positive move holds.
Israel will be a much safer place after this withdrawal. It is good the Israeli government took steps in order to achieve peace in this situation, and after all the fighting ceases the long-term effect of the pullout hopefully will be worth it.
We hope to see many more of these compromises - and flat-out sacrifices - as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, hopefully, comes to an end.
