Which way to peace in the Middle East?
Since Hamas's attack and the massacre of 7 October, Israel has been battling Hamas in Gaza and has now also launched a major offensive against the Islamist-Shiite Hezbollah organisation in Lebanon. The Middle East conflict is impacting the entire region. Europe's media cast about for ways to untangle the web of conflicts.
Interim administration makes sense
Gazeta Wyborcza calls for international mediation:
“Peace terms must not be imposed on Israelis and Palestinians, but peace won't come without external intervention. An international interim administration for the West Bank and Gaza may be needed to facilitate the transfer of power from the Israeli army to Palestinian institutions. ... The Israeli occupation would then no longer serve as a pretext for corruption and lacking democracy. And the resolution of the conflict would take away the oxygen from extremists on both sides.”
Arab countries are changing their stance
Web portal Capital highlights Saudi Arabia's role:
“The influence of Iran on the conflict through organisations like Hezbollah gives the war a regional dimension. Tehran continues to openly support this organisation, and in doing so maintains the threat to the state of Israel. ... At the regional level, several Arab countries have moved closer to Israel in recent years, weakening Iran's position in the region. Saudi Arabia, for example, has now adopted a far more neutral stance. ... Over the weekend there were reports that it is proposing a peace agreement with the founding of a Palestinian state under its protection and guarantee. If this is confirmed, the situation will change fundamentally.”
Iran gives this war a new dimension
Tehran's involvement could bring about lasting changes in the Middle East, Radio Kommersant FM believes:
“This is indicated by the determination of the parties involved and the direct participation of Iran – the main sponsor behind Hezbollah and Hamas. It cannot be ruled out that precisely this intervention will take the conflict out of the endless algorithm of repetitive events. Unlike its proxies, Iran is not a paramilitary group, but a state. The last time Israel went to war with another country was 50 years ago, in 1973.”
Only the overthrow of the mullahs will bring peace
Writing in Le Point, philosopher Pascal Bruckner calls for decisive action against the Iranian regime:
“Ever since Iran created the 'Axis of Resistance' against the Jewish state, its henchmen - Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis - have relentlessly sown death in the region, indifferent to the fate of the Palestinians and concerned only with the imperial interests of their mentor. ... The time has come to put an end to the rulers in Tehran who murder their people, hang their women and torture their opponents. The demise of this government would be an important step forwards in the efforts to achieve a reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis.”
Push for a two-state solution
Karar calls for concerted action:
“Those who sincerely want an end to the war have a duty: to force the leaders of Western states such as the US, Britain and Germany, who have so far verbally and materially supported the continuation of the war, to put pressure on Israel to secure a two-state solution. They should also push the leaders of Russia, China, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, who have so far stood quietly on the sidelines, to use their influence over Hamas to bring about such a solution. Those who are against this can then be sidelined by these joint efforts.”
Risk breaking with Netanyahu
Netanyahu's western partners should stop their half-hearted warnings and take real action, writes Der Spiegel:
“Driven by the fear that Lebanon could 'turn into a new Gaza', French President Emmanuel Macron called over the weekend for a return to a political solution and an end to deliveries of arms 'used for fighting in Gaza'. Germany and other European states, but above all the US, should back this demand. They should take a joint stand against Iran, but also issue an equally clear ultimatum to Israel to exercise moderation and return to the negotiating table. And if necessary, they should suspend arms deliveries to achieve this. This would risk a break with Netanyahu - but it would help the people of Israel.”