Why am I, an Israeli, writing about Palestinian political parties? Because I care about the Palestinian people and about the creation of an independent Palestinian state — and because there is only one solution to this conflict that can provide freedom and dignity for Palestinians while preserving Israel as the democratic nation-state of the Jewish people, with full equality for all its citizens: two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

I am also writing because Israelis and Palestinians do not live in separate political universes. The politics of the two societies are deeply intertwined. What one side says and does — and what it fails or refuses to do — directly affects the politics of the other.

When Israelis elect leaders who deny the existence of the Palestinian people, support annexation and speak about removing Palestinians from their land, they strengthen those Palestinians who argue that Israel understands only force. When Palestinians glorify armed struggle, celebrate attacks against civilians or continue to speak about eliminating Israel, they strengthen those Israelis who insist that there is no Palestinian partner for peace.

Extremists on both sides feed each other. Each side points to the other as proof that compromise is impossible. Breaking this destructive cycle requires political courage, but it also creates an opportunity: positive change on one side can strengthen the forces for change on the other.

Israel will hold elections before the Palestinians. Israelis will vote on October 27, while Palestinian legislative elections are scheduled for November 28. But Palestinians can influence the atmosphere in which Israelis vote, beginning now — through the parties they establish, the leaders they elevate and the political commitments they make.

Israeli leaders have failed to demonstrate that Israel is ready to be a genuine partner for peace. The Netanyahu government has offered Palestinians occupation, settlements, displacement and permanent conflict rather than a credible political horizon.

But that failure gives Palestinians an opportunity to........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)