Why there is no peace in the Middle East

The September 14 issue of the Globe and Mail runs an article by Michael Bell entitled Israel's New World. (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/israels-new-world/article2164867/) The central message of the piece is that it is in Israel's interest to show restraint and not always react to incidents with an iron fist. I don't disagree with that as a general policy, though I'm not sure how much difference it will make in Israel's specific situation.

The reason for my pessimism is expressed in a comment that Bell slips in as an aside but which I believe goes to the heart of the issue:

".........particularly in a region that finds it difficult to accept the legitimacy of any non-Muslim governing authority."

What this means is this (this is my personal understanding as an observer from outside of Islam and I stand subject to correction by others more knowledgeable): The territory of Israel (Palestine) is considered an integral part of dar al-Islam (roughly that's the Islamic counterpart to what we used to call Christendom). The establishment of a non-Muslim state on that territory is therefore experienced by Muslims as a violation. Its very existence is a permanent irritant. As a result, the only thing that Israel can do to make peace with its neighbours in anything other than a provisional and temporary sense is to either cease to exist as a political entity, or cease to have a non-Muslim majority.

Understand the above, and you will understand why there is a deep abiding hostility against Israel in other Middle East countries, even in ones that have cooperated with it such as Turkey, Jordan and Egypt, and in others that are separated from the Palestinians geographically and culturally, such as Iran. You will also understand why, as a condition of peace, the Palestinians insist on a full right of return into Israel proper even for those who have never set foot in the country.

As I understand its definition in Wikipedia, Israel should be able to be considered part of Dar al-Islam if Muslims are able to enjoy peace and security with and within the country. Given the history of conflict in the region however and Israel's sensitive location, I'm not sure it is possible in practice. In any case, as long as there is Israeli conflict with the Palestinians that condition of peace and security is not met. It is in Israel's interest therefore to avoid or defuse such conflicts but in the Palestinian interest to maintain a state of conflict. By doing so, they continue to enjoy the support of their fellow Muslims against the common enemy.

I believe that is why, whenever things seem to be in danger of settling into a peaceful status quo, someone initiates a new intifada or suicide bombing campaign or fires more rockets into Israel. From the Palestinian point of view, these actions, together with the responses they provoke from the Israelis, keep Israel in harbi status and prevent it from achieving acceptance in Islamic terms.