Two peace activists – one Israeli, the other Palestinian – share their insights
With Gershon Baskin and Samer Sinijlawi
Sunday, April 6, 2025
12:00 noon EDT, 9:00 am PDT, 19:00 UTC + 3 (IDT: Israel Daylight Time)
On March 18, Israel resumed its campaign against Hamas in Gaza, shattering almost two months of a fragile ceasefire. The brutal war rages, creating huge casualties among Gaza civilians and putting the remaining hostages in greater danger, if not abandoning them altogether. Despite the IDF assaults, Hamas remains entrenched in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Netanyahu government continues its relentless annexationist agenda in the West Bank, and tensions there continue to mount.
How badly has Netanyahu’s far-right government destroyed hopes for peace for the foreseeable future? How do we move past extremism and entrenched hostility on both sides?
Two seasoned activists/analysts – one Israeli, the other Palestinian – give us their perspectives on the complex situation. They will discuss the challenges and the steps required, both immediate and down the road, to bring about a better outcome for both peoples.
Links to Gershon's insights and publications; articles by journalists that analyze Gershon's activities; Audio and Video recordings and presentations that he has made; speeches, dialogues, discussions where Gershon has shared his insights in venues throughout the world; speech topics.; book reviews and accolades.
“Gershon Baskin, is one of the outstanding originators of peace initiatives in our era. This is based on a deep belief in the qualities of human affinity, human dignity, and selflessness. He is a pluralist and recognizes that social behavior is essential to building peace through participation from the bottom up. Gershon promotes the art of conversation and listening, which in my mind is a major contribution to waging peace.”
"Dr. Baskin has earned the trust and regard of diverse individuals, some serving at the highest levels of government on both sides, and countless numbers serving the cause of peace and coexistence on the ground through practical economic, environmental and strategic projects. I cannot name any individual with more devotion to and greater knowledge of the complex issues involved in laying a foundation for lasting peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people."
“Gershon Baskin is among Israel’s most intrepid pursuers of peace. His book is not only a fascinating journey across the Jewish-Palestinian divide, it also provides that rarest commodity in these dark times: hope.”
"My students were absolutely riveted by your story and your assessment of the current situation.
One student told me that after a decade of studying the conflict and four different classes in college and law school, he felt for the first time that he had a coherent understanding after hearing from you.”
Gershon Baskin may be one of the few sane voices left on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide.
Gershon Baskin senses that Netanyahu probably believes that if Hamas executes Israeli hostages, Israel will have the moral right and the greenlight from Trump to finish the job in Gaza – which means killing a lot more Palestinians and taking full control over Gaza including the forced evacuation of Gazans.
Gershon Baskin believes that eventually, we always come back to the idea of partition and two states for two peoples as there is no other logical possibility.
Gershon Baskin shares his insights with Deutsche Welle regarding the second phase of the hostage deal.
Gershon Baskin shares his ideas with Marco Werman of the World regarding Israeli airstrikes in Gaza
Gershon Baskin shares hos ideas with CNN, claiming that for the remaining living hostages in Gaza, the resumption of the war is “a death sentence”
Gershon Baskin shares with i24 news his thoughts regarding the implications of phase 2 of the ceasefire/disengagement/hostage deal.
Gershon Baskin shares his ideas with the Vatican media on the blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza and yesterday morning's incursions in various areas of the Strip.
Gershon Baskin senses that there will never be peace and security for only one of the sides.. It’s live together or die together.. it is now time for the peace of no choice.
Gershon Baskin feels that it is time to move from the concept of the war of no choice to the concept of the peace of no choice.
Gershon Baskin believes that the war will truly end only when no hostages remain in Gaza and Hamas no longer governs it, both administratively or militarily. This objective can only be achieved through a political solution and regional cooperation
Gershon Baskin firmly believes that It is now upon us to choose the path of basing our future on knowing that there will never be a solution until everyone living between the River and the Sea has the same right to the same rights.
Gershon Baskin shares his ideas regarding why the shaky ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is under strain again and why Israel wants an end to the public spectacle around the release of hostages, who've been paraded in front of large crowds and sometimes forced to praise their captors.
Gershon Baskin shares with CNN his perspectives regarding getting the deal done.
Gershon Baskin shares with Israel Channel 13 his insights regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleging that Hamas "put the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin" instead of the body of Shiri Bibas.
In an open letter to Ghazi Hamad, Gershon Baskin shares that there is no winner in this war – we all lost. Palestine lost. Hamas lost. Israel lost.
Gershon Baskin feels that Israelis and Palestinians will never have security unless both of them have security. Hard to swallow now while we are all still living in trauma and fear, but this war really must be the last Israeli Palestinian war.
Gershon Baskin senses that Enough is enough. We all know how this should end—so let's get there already!
Gershon Baskin senses that we Israelis have to figure out how to get Netanyahu out of power and return Israel to its senses and understanding that the two states solution is back on the table and that it is the only way to ensure Israel’s security and well-being.
Gershon Baskin shares with Australian Broadcasting Company's Eric Tlozek his thoughts regarding Benjamin Netanyahu flying to the United States to meet with the president Donald Trump to discuss the war in Gaza.
Gershon Baskin senses that Netanyahu is abandoning the hostages and endangering them.
Gershon Baskin shares six important insights regarding the situation in the Middle East.
Gershon Baskin shares with CNN that no one is going to put money into Gaza if Hamas is in control there
Veteran Israeli hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin discusses with ABC news the ongoing ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Gershon Baskin shares with Mick Krever of CNN that there is no military victory over Hamas, that should be clear to all. The are no winners in this war. We have all lost.
Gershon Baskin senses that the choice is in the hands of the Palestinians if they will continue on the path of Hamas which will lead to more death and destruction or if they will decide on a new path and make clear that they are prepared to live in peace and freedom with Israel if Israel will be prepared to end its occupation over what should become the free State of Palestine.
Gershon Baskin shares with the BBC his thoughts regarding the comments of the President of the US, Donald Trump, regarding Jordan & Egypt hosting more Palestinians from Gaza.
FRANCE 24 's Erin Ogunkeye asks Gershon Baskin if the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah coming to an end?
Gershon Baskins senses that if Netanyahu is so confident in his abilities and the people's support for him, let him bring this chapter to an end and return the mandate to the people.
Gershon Baskin shares his ideas regarding the Hostage deal with Zev Brenner of Talkline Network.
From October 7th we knew that in order to return all the hostages we would have to negotiate with Hamas. Despite this, the first and most important goal of the Israeli government since that terrible Read more…
Gershon Baskin shares with CNN that Both sides need to stick to what was signed and the mediators need to uphold that.
Gershon Baskin shares with CBS's Elizabeth Palmer his thoughts regarding the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that is set to take effect this weekend, with the first hostages expected to be released as soon as Sunday.
Gershon Baskin shares with The Times Gabrielle Weiniger that a peace deal could — and should — have been struck sooner.
CBC News Network's Aarti Pole speaks with Gershon Baskin about Israel-Hamas ceasefire hostage deal
Gershon Baskin shares his ideas why Israel should've accepted deal months earlier in May 2024.
Gershon Baskin ne è certo, ma sia gli israeliani che i palestinesi dovranno fare pressioni perché i loro rispettivi leader rispondano di quanto è accaduto
Gershon Baskin shares with NBC news, what may be needed in order for the current Hostage deal to come to fruition.
Gershon Baskin shares with Karan Thapar of "The Wire" that there was a better deal which Prime Minister Netanyahu was unwilling to accept. He shares details of this better deal, which he personally helped to arrange.
Gershon Baskin shares 7 reasons why the current deal is a bad deal, and why it is better than no deal.
Gershon Baskin shares an "unofficial" version of the first phase of the deal that calls for a 42-day ceasefire and the release of an initial 33 hostages, that the Hamas refuses to say if they are dead or alive.
Gershon Baskin emphasizes that there is no single decision-maker in Hamas and there never was.
FRANCE 24's Genie Godula welcomes Gershon Baskin who shares his ideas about the current Hamas-Israel deal
Gershon Baskin shares his ideas regarding the resumed ceasefire negotiations in Qatar amid reports that a deal is imminent.
Gershon Baskin tells CNN that essentially, what Hamas and Israel are agreeing to is the deal that president Biden presented in the end of May.
Gershon Baskin senses that the current negotiations still do not promise a done deal - but it looks very promising right now.
Gershon Baskin believes that until now, Netanyahu has sacrificed the Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians on the altar of his political survival. This cannot last for long
Gershon Baskin believes that Instead of Israel and Hamas arguing about which of the hostages will be released in a partial deal, it would be better to end it with a complete and comprehensive deal - to end the war and return all the hostages.
Gershon Baskin wants to appeal to all of us, Israelis and Palestinians, to understand that we really only need one state to recognize the State of Palestine and that is Israel.
Gershon Baskin feels that without heavy pressure from Trump on Netanyahu, it is difficult to see how to end the war and return all the hostages.
Gershon Baskin believes that the primary condition for changing the situation is Gaza, is that the war must end and Israel must withdraw from Gaza and for that to happen, the hostages must be returned and Hamas must no longer control Gaza.
Gershon Baskin shares his insights regarding the nature of the negotiations, and claims that there has never been a situation like the one we are in and these negotiations are different from all previous negotiations.
Gershon Baskin feels that an Israel-Syria Golan Peace Park would make a genuine contribution to peace and prosperity by reducing conflict between the two countries and by creating a safe and secure space for communities promoting peaceful coexistence.
Gershon Baskin shares his scepticism with i24 news regarding reports that a hostage deal is imminent.
Gershon Baskin feels that what needs to happen is an end to the war, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an end to the blockade on the Strip, and the release of all hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners according to an agreed-upon formula.
Gershon Baskin senses that now is the time for the people of Israel and the people of Palestine to create the Israeli-Palestinian Alliance for the Implementation of the Two States solution
Prospect Magazine (UK) has nominated us (Ehud Olmert, Nasser Al-Kidwa, Gershon Baskin and Samer Sinijlawi) for their annual Top World Thinkers. If you think that our nomination is worthy, please click on the link and vote for us. https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/worlds-top-thinker/68677/vote-for-your-2025-top-thinker
Gershon Baskin outlines what can and should be in any agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza and to return the hostages.
Gershon Baskin firmly believes that ALL of the people living between the River and the Sea must enjoy the same right to the same rights. and that there are no other options if Israel wants to survive and live in peace in the Middle East.
Gershon Baskin claims that he has access to no less than eight senior Hamas officials who would be willing to communicate with him if Ihe were given permission and authority to negotiate
Gershon Baskin believes that the Palestinians can help to end the war in Gaza by moving forward on the Gaza governance issue without any negotiations with Israel.
Gershon Baskin warns us not to think that Trump will save Israel if Israel tries to commit political suicide.
Gershon Baskin senses that Israel’s prime minister is using antisemitism to cover up domestic scandals and exploiting the war for his own self-interest. He also criticises the Palestinian side, which must prepare the ground for elections postponed for far too long. Qatar's step back should be used to restart negotiations.
Gershon Baskin shares with Pat Kenny of NewsTalk his thoughts regarding Israel's new Defence Minister, Qatar pausing its role as mediator and Trump returning to the White House and where does the Israel-Gaza conflict go next.
Gershon Baskin believes that there is room for negotiations and possibilities for reaching agreements, but the negotiations must be ongoing without stop and they must be conducted as directly as possible
Gershon Baskin spoke to JURIST Senior Editor Pitasanna Shanmugathas about the complex obstacles preventing a ceasefire amid the conflict’s expansion into Lebanon and Iran, his unique correspondence with “the Palestinian Nelson Mandela” Marwan Barghouti, and how the period between Trump’s presidential re-election win and January 20th could be crucial for President Biden’s legacy in ending the war.
In an interview with Zetland's Merian Garde Gräs, Gershon Baskin shares his experiences with Ghazi Hamad of the Hamas.
Gershon Baskin lays out a plan as to what must happen now to bring this war to an end, to return the hostages to Israel, to free Palestinian prisoners and to enable the millions in Gaza to begin the process of reconstruction.
Gershon Baskin shares with Gerald Belsky of the Schiller Institute in the International Peace Coalition zoom meeting, his ideas, concerns and hopes regarding the past, present and future of the Middle East
Gershon Baskin feels that with Sinwar dead, the hostage agreement is even more urgent.
Gershon Baskin believes that every person living between the River and the Sea must have the same right to the same rights.
Gershon Baskin believes that the failure to return the hostages home is the greatest loss for Israel, and this must not happen.
Gershon Baskin shares his reasons why he thinks that Netanyahu and his regime are dangerous for us all
Gershon Baskin shares his thoughts regarding Brett H. McGurk, deputy assistant to President Joe Biden and National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa.
L'uomo che trattò la liberazione del soldato Gilad Shalit: "Non sappiamo quanti ostaggi siano vivi, neanche Hamas lo sa. E continuiamo a lavorare sulla soluzione dei due Stati
Gershon Baskin joins CNN's Becky Anderson to discuss his proposal for a ceasefire plan that has already been accepted by some Hamas members.
Gershon Baskin feels that there is a near and clear possibility for Israel to de-escalate the situation with Iran and this is what it should do.
Gershon Baskin shares a draft letter that he composed intended for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sign and send to Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., the current president of the United States, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar and Abd el-Fattah el-Sisi, the current president of Egypt.
Ehud Olmert, the prime minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009 and Nasser al-Kidwa, the foreign affairs minister of the Palestinian National Authority from 2005 to 2006, share their plan for peace in the Middle East based on the ideas of Gershon Baskin
Gershon Baskin tells The National that Israelis must realise their own security failures allowed October 7 to happen
Gershon Baskin senses that our recovery as a nation will only begin after the return of the hostages
Gershon Baskin outlines what needs to be done in order to make the three-week deal come true!!!
Gershon Baskin explores various strategies to apply pressure on both sides, including leveraging the influence of other countries, targeting key decision-makers, and focusing on the legacy of the current President.
Gershon Baskin, a participant on a panel, shares with CNN's Becky Anderson his impressions of the speech that Netanyahu presented at the General Assembly of the United Nations and the status of the negotiations with the Hamas.
