Arabs are no longer speaking publicly about peace with Israel alone, but in some cases with astonishing admiration for the Jewish state, its army, its resilience, and its social cohesion. A Lebanese Christian announces he is planning to travel to Tel Aviv and visit the grave of Ariel Sharon. An Iraqi Shiite urges his compatriots: “Learn from Israel.” Saudis speak Hebrew, Lebanese journalists declare peace with Israel a national interest, and Gulf Arabs defend Israeli soldiers before an Arab audience. What would once have been considered treason is now being said on camera. These are still individual voices, but therein lies the real revolution: the decades-long Arab taboo of being allowed to view Israel only as an enemy is developing cracks. And it is precisely where peace with Israel would be most urgently needed — among the Palestinians — that this taboo remains particularly strong.
A Lebanese Christian sits in front of a camera and talks about Israel. Not about “the Zionist enemy,” not about “resistance,” and not about the liberation of Jerusalem. He says he wants to travel to...
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