366 • 18 WAR AND THE QUEST FOR PEACEcan regain their political and economic strength, but not a true reconcilia¬
tion with the Jewish state. Because this distinction naturally alarms Israel
and its backers, harping on it will not lead to peace.
So, is Israel just a Jewish state? It is a country inhabited by Jews and
Arabs who must find a basis of coexistence that does not involve domina¬
tion or repression of one side by the other. Let us not kid ourselves. Arab
Israelis—not to mention Palestinians under Israel's occupation—do not
enjoy the same rights, power, and status as Jewish Israelis. Zionists who ig¬
nore the feelings of these Arabs impede the quest for sulh and maybe even
salam. There can be no peace without security. There can be no peace
without justice. For both sides. Period.