If the conflict is about the size of Israel, then long and difficult negotiations can eventually resolve the problem. But if the conflict is about the existence of Israel, then serious negotiation is impossible.
Interpretation
The quote distinguishes between negotiating territorial disputes and existential conflicts.
Bernard Lewis emphasizes that some conflicts can be resolved through negotiation if they pertain to specific issues, like territory. However, if the conflict centers on fundamental existence, such negotiations are futile, highlighting the depth and complexity of certain disputes in geopolitics.
In practice
During a discussion on international relations, one might reference this quote to emphasize the complexity of certain negotiations.
During the first formative centuries of its existence, Christianity was separated from and indeed antagonistic to the state, with which it only later became involved. From the lifetime of its founder, Islam was the state, and the identity of religion and government is indelibly stamped on the memories and awareness of the faithful from their own sacred writings, history, and experience.
The price of freedom is still, and always will be, eternal vigilance.
Some find Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran’s poetry preachy and moralizing, but I find it plenty enlightening—it’s hard to object to the melodic, cosmic of mysticism of a line like ‘That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space.’
Capitalism has been called a system of greed—yet it is the system that raised the standard of living of its poorest citizens to heights no collectivist system has ever begun to equal, and no tribal gang can conceive of.
I wanted to explore the values that are at work, underpinning my life.
We need to learn how to capture and kill wild fish humanely - or, if that is not possible, to find less cruel and more sustainable alternatives to eating them.
It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts.
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