If Palestinians acknowledge Israel's right to exist, they will find Israel will turn out to be more of a friend than a foe in their quest for lasting peace and prosperity.

Alas, it will take a long time for any such view to prevail.

But unless Palestinians start electing leaders motivated by goodwill and a sincere desire for peace with Israel through compromise, they will continue to see tragedy inflicted on themselves.

For now, we all must hope the current conflict will burn itself out, with the least toll of innocents on both sides.​

Farzana Hassan: Hamas must abandon its hatred of Jews