Three military veterans from Israel and the U.S. are raising their voices against the cycle of violence, drawing from harrowing frontline experiences to advocate for dialogue over destruction. Yair Bunzel, an Israeli veteran of the 1982 Lebanon War, joined American counterparts from the Iraq and Vietnam Wars in a shared call for peace, emphasizing that 'war only destroys innocent lives.'
Bunzel, now an anti-war activist, recounted the lasting trauma of conflict: 'Every dead, injured, and mentally hurt person damages generations.' Despite witnessing decades of Israel-Palestine tensions, he remains hopeful. 'You have to shut down the fire,' he urged. 'Sit with your enemy and search for a solution.'
The veterans' message resonates amid global security debates, stressing that sustainable resolutions require confronting uncomfortable truths. Their perspectives offer a stark reminder for policymakers and communities: lasting peace demands courage to prioritize dialogue over division.
