Nobody ever predicted, a week before President Sadat came to

"Nobody ever predicted, a week before President Sadat came to Jerusalem in 1977, that his arrival would be the beginning of a peace process that would end up in an - unhappy - Israeli-Egyptian peace. We have seen peace with Egypt. We have seen peace with Jordan. We have seen the handshake between Rabin and Arafat - things are possible." These words, spoken by the renowned Israeli author Amos Oz, speak to the profound truth that peace often arises from the most unexpected of circumstances. The peace process that led to the historic visit of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Jerusalem in 1977 was, in the eyes of many, an unthinkable prospect just days before it happened. Yet, Sadat’s arrival marked the beginning of a series of diplomatic efforts that would ultimately lead to the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty, an agreement that few had believed possible at the time. Oz’s reflection serves as a reminder that hope, understanding, and peace can emerge from situations that seem destined for conflict, if only we have the vision and courage to take the first steps.

The ancients understood the power of unexpected alliances and the potential for peace even in the most unlikely of circumstances. Alexander the Great, the conqueror of much of the known world, knew that victory was not simply about military might. It was also about the art of diplomacy, the ability to form alliances with those who had once been his enemies. The ancient Greeks celebrated the ability to reconcile differences and find common ground, as seen in their deliberations and treaties during times of war. Even the Romans, who were masters of empire-building, often employed strategic alliances to secure their power. But it was their understanding that true peace was not just about the absence of conflict, but about acknowledging each other's interests and working together to create a lasting harmony.

Just as Alexander sought peace through strength and diplomacy, the Israeli-Egyptian peace was not merely the result of a single moment or gesture, but a process—a slow and deliberate effort to break the cycles of animosity that had defined their relationship for so long. Sadat’s visit to Jerusalem, which was met with both suspicion and hope, was a turning point—one that many believed impossible before it happened. The meeting between Sadat and Israeli officials, culminating in the Camp David Accords of 1978, demonstrated that even the most entrenched conflicts could be transformed through the courageous steps of leaders willing to change the narrative. Oz’s statement echoes this profound truth: peace is often unpredictable, emerging from moments that seem inconceivable, but which, with effort and vision, can lead to change.

Similarly, the peace achieved between Israel and Jordan in 1994 stands as another testament to the possibility of peace in the face of overwhelming odds. King Hussein of Jordan, after years of conflict and distrust, signed the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty, demonstrating that even those who had been bitter enemies could find a way to live side by side in peace. The handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 1993 at the White House, while fraught with challenges and complexities, was another profound moment that showed that peace, though fragile, could be achieved. These events serve as living proof of what Oz emphasizes: things are possible, no matter how unpredictable or unlikely they may seem.

But peace—whether between nations or individuals—requires patience and a willingness to engage in the hard, often uncomfortable work of reconciliation. Rabin and Arafat’s handshake symbolized a moment of bravery and trust, one that carried with it the weight of decades of conflict. The agreement that followed was imperfect and fraught with challenges, but it was a beginning, a step towards the possibility of a better future. This process, like the earlier steps towards peace with Egypt and Jordan, shows us that lasting peace does not happen overnight—it is the product of courageous leadership, small steps, and the willingness to take risks, even in the face of overwhelming doubt.

The lesson from Oz’s words is that peace often arises in the most unexpected of places. When we trust in the possibility of change and act with vision, even the most deeply rooted conflicts can be transformed. We must not be discouraged by the impossibility of a situation, but instead, be motivated by the knowledge that peace is often the result of gradual and persistent efforts. Like Sadat, Rabin, and Arafat, we too can make a difference if we are willing to take the first step, to speak with courage, and to believe that peace is worth pursuing, even in the face of great adversity.

In practical terms, this means that in our own lives, we must remain open to dialogue and reconciliation in places where we may have long held grudges or where we see no path forward. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we must remember that peace often begins with small gestures of trust, understanding, and the willingness to work towards common goals. Let us take courage, knowing that even the most difficult conflicts can be resolved if we dare to hope, if we believe in the possibility of peace, and if we embrace the challenge of working together for a better future. Things are possible, as Amos Oz so wisely reminds us, and the path to peace is often found in the unexpected moments where we choose to make that possibility a reality.