There is a deep-seated fear on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Each community worries that their children might one day be killed by the other side, and this has fostered an environment where extremes are considered in an effort to prevent such tragedies. This shared anxiety has fueled a cycle of entrenched positions and hardline views, contributing to a sense of urgency to protect the next generation. The mutual desire to shield children from the impact of the conflict, albeit from different perspectives, underscores the complex emotional and human dimensions at the heart of the ongoing tensions. Breaking this cycle requires addressing the root causes of fear and building bridges of understanding and empathy between the communities involved.

          They are currently trapped in a dilemma of uncertainty. Neither side can truly know the other's intentions, and there are incentives on both sides to betray the other. They must expect the worst from each other, because if they are wrong, they can risk death to countless people. They need to arm themselves in order to defend themselves, but the drive towards building a strong military force inevitably raises alarms on the other side. The stakes are incredibly high on both sides. 

          The more fear present, the more extremists and hardliners are acceptable to people. Many turn to them in hope of safety and fighting back against the evils of the other side, but they do not always see that they are turning to the monsters the other side fears. Oftentimes within these ranks, the worst of both sides are allowed freedom to do what they wish. This is how we get Jewish extremists attacking innocent Palestinians in the West Bank or Hamas committing atrocities on innocent civilians. This is a major factor in the cycle of violence. 

          The problem is how does one on either side dismiss the only ones fighting for them? Before this latest round of fighting started, where was the world when Palestinians were being forced from their homes due to settlers? Where was the world when Israeli civilians were being attacked in the streets? How do they turn away from the extremists when no one else is fighting for them? It should not take atrocities to gain the worlds atrocities. This roadmap seeks to offer both sides a way out. A way to work together to break the cycle that they are currently trapped in, but it will not be easy.

          This is because forgiveness is difficult. Many on both sides of this conflict have lost loved ones due to “enemy actions”. The leaders in Israel and Palestine are no exceptions. It is difficult for people to make peace with those who killed their loved ones. Addressing this will be key to solving this conflict. With this roadmap, they do not have to forgive right away, and they do not need to forget, but they need to break the cycle. Violence only breeds more violence. It must be messaged, that ending the conflict may not solve that yearning for revenge, but it will allow the next generation to live in peace.

          They are all victims in this conflict. The real enemy is just those on both sides who seek more violence and to rid the lands of those they hate. It is not with the ordinary innocent people. One of the underlying goals that is part of this plan is to restore the other sides humanity, to show that not everyone seeks violence, and that these two sides can live together. The alternative is that this will happen again and again, living in a constant nightmare. This does not have to be the way. We can change things.