Tension in The Middle East After Israeli Air Strike

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: Where do you see a political route on your side — I have already asked Mr. Mustafa Barghouti about his side — towards trying to move the peace ball along? Is there any constituency in Israel for that right now?

STAV SHAFFIR, LEADER, ISRAELI GREEN PARTY: You know, situations like this only prove how peace is the only way forward. At times of political stagnation and lack of decision, extremists on both sides flourish. They get to move things around. If we want to see a future for both Israelis and Palestinians — and, as we all know, Palestinians and Israelis are not going anywhere. The situation is — has been stable, but stable — violent, violently stable, for years. No one or the majority of people on both sides do not want to see this way. We’re now in Israel after four election rounds in an enormous political complexity. But, as for the last few days, we have a lot of hope on the political camp that wants to change, because there is a chance for a new government. There is a chance for a government that has both Jewish and Arab partners being a very strong part of it. And this — the next government, as it seems today — and I’m quite optimistic today as for the future government and the possibility to put a stop to the political stagnation we have been through. That government is going to be very unique. It’s a collaboration of right- wing and left-wing politicians, of Jews and Arabs who decided to be responsible and come together in order to stop the political complexity that we have seen here for many, many years. So, hopefully — although it’s not part of their plans right now, but, hopefully, they will understand that putting the Palestinian issue as part of their priorities is an important matter today, because we don’t want to see a future that is like this, a continuing circle of violence. Today, when we were sitting here in the studio, but the people in the South of Israel are now in the shelters, being afraid of rockets being shot at them from Hamas in Gaza. There is no future to a situation like this. And all the people who want to stay in life in this region understand this. And I think, when it comes to young people, both here in Israel and amongst the Palestinians, seeing the corruption and the lack of hope and courage amongst our politicians did not help this situation. I hope that now, with the new — with the coming government in Israel hopefully that will be able to be established in the next few days,