A Vision from Chicago for Peace in the Middle East
About a decade ago, I spent several months between Israel and the West Bank. I did so with the privilege of being able to cross borders, as a white, Christian man with an American passport who was not yet publicly “out” or presenting as LGBTQ+. This experience rewrote my worldview and solidified the belief that conflict resolution of any kind can only begin with dialogue and an attempt to understand the party on the other side of the negotiation table.
While there, I was overwhelmed by experiences of kindness from Christians, Muslims and Jews on both sides of the separation wall. Striking up conversations everywhere I went — be it a coffeeshop in Ramallah, an art gallery in Bethlehem, or a shared taxi in Jerusalem — I found that there was a desire from both Israelis and Palestinians to have their struggles understood. My journal entries from the time summarize consistent interactions of strangers sharing their personal stories, stating a relentless hope for a better future, and often expressing empathy towards the other (based on memories and stories of times of shared life between Israelis and Arabs).
Like many Chicagoans, I feel gutted by the murder and kidnapping committed by Hamas on October 7, an act of terror against Israel which should be universally condemned. As it would with any nation, this atrocity and the mission to bring the hostages home warranted a measured military response by Israel. Since then, I have been equally gutted by Israel’s ongoing response in Gaza, which has killed more than 25,000 Palestinians. I mourn for all innocent civilians lost in this conflict, and for the large Palestinian and Jewish communities impacted in Chicago and worldwide.
To achieve a durable peace that ensures long-term security for everyone involved, a two-state solution should be advanced by direct negotiations following international law. World powers should lead the implementation of a plan to end Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure, grant Palestinians the human right to self-determination they have lacked for decades, and release all remaining hostages. The time is now, and I adamantly disagree with those who say that this is not possible.
For years, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set the path towards peace backwards. He has opposed a two-state solution, expanded settlements into the Palestinian Territories through home demolitions, and controlled water and travel within the Palestinian Territories. We won’t reach a lasting peace in the region with Netanyahu as broker. The international community must lead negotiations.
Alders are elected to focus on local public safety, snow cleanup, infrastructure, balancing the city budget, and to make people feel engaged and connected locally. The ceasefire resolution that the City Council will vote on this week has become a flashpoint for division that does not reflect the opinions I stated above. Accordingly, I will be voting no on this particular version as its language presents a false choice and fails to promote unity for Chicagoans.
In recent months in City Council chambers, I have heard derogatory slurs from the public that cover the gamut from antisemitism to islamophobia, racism, xenophobia, and homophobia. In the 43rd Ward, we have responded to numerous incidents of antisemitism such as hate language and graffiti in our parks and on neighbors’ homes. While I know that this resolution did not cause these incidents, I also know that the way in which these conversations were conducted left many feeling unsafe and alienated. It is our job to work to support all people in our communities in a way that makes them feel supported, and not pitted against one another.
Much as the fates of Chicagoans are bound together, I am convinced from my own time in the Middle East that the futures of Israelis and Palestinians are inextricably linked. One will only succeed as does the other. While zero-sum discourse may smother us on social media and in news headlines, we must remain steadfast in the belief that a joint path to peace is possible and necessary.
I expect that many people will find parts of this statement that they agree with and parts that they disagree with. To me, that is the complexity of being human, and I pray this conflict’s negotiators stay at the table when they are faced with a parallel dilemma. During times of division and challenges, I’ve been proud to see Chicagoans come together. Whether it relates to this conflict worldwide, or issues local to Chicago, we can choose to lead with empathy for all.
— Timmy Knudsen, Chicago City Council (43rd Ward)
