Unfortunately, we have not settled Palestine together with the Arabs, but 'along side' them. Buber never ceased emphasizing that it takes moral daring, not power, to make peace. Fortunately, history has shown us that individuals who have experienced war most closely desire peace most fervently. It is not too late to rescue the peace from the jaws of war. In other words, we must replace the way of tactics, which is the short-term approach, with the way of strategy, which is thinking for the long term.
Real defense consists of seeing far ahead, of taking the long view.
We must work for long-term results, the decisive word must be dictated not by political tactics but by political strategy. This requires seeing beyond Palestinian statehood and beyond resolution of the status of Jerusalem, to the time when a permanent peace and brings economic prosperity in the region. Both Barak and Arafat realize that the path to resolution of the tensions and the terror that have pervaded the Middle East requires a new mindset. A mindset in which questions posed by Buber in 1944 bear repeating in 2000. Our national desire to renew the life of the people of Israel in their ancient homeland however is not aimed against any other people.