Democracy Dies in Darkness

Opinion Why Israel should promote peace in the midst of war

By
November 7, 2023 at 6:45 a.m. EST
People at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Monday light candles in memory of the 1,400 victims who were killed during Hamas attacks on Oct. 7. (Leo Correa/AP)
3 min

Ronald S. Lauder is president of the World Jewish Congress.

As Israel wages war against Hamas, it must simultaneously propose a path toward peace.

Clearly, it is difficult to talk about peace during wartime. Temperatures are running high, and an understandable sense of pain and outrage has overtaken even the soundest of minds. So much so that there are those who cannot see past seeking revenge. But a peace initiative is the only way Israel’s ultimate security can succeed.