Growing up in the United States I have always been a strong supporter of Israel and
a proponent of peace. Like most Jews in the Diaspora, the State of Israel holds a very special place in my heart. It seems that every scholar in the world, with the slightest interest in the Middle East, tries to assert their own concepts of Arab-Israeli peace without really understanding the people or the borders they wish to manipulate.
It seems arrogant to try and assert my own solutions for a region I am only beginning to understand but I can articulate my impressions. During my time in Israel I have had time to travel in both Egypt
and Jordan,
the only two Arab nations with normalized diplomatic relationships with Israel. If a normal coexistence is ever going to be achieved with the Palestinians or any other nation that has scorned Israel in the past, it is important to analyze these relationships as models. Israel's peace with Egypt and Jordan makes me optimistic for the future.
Egypt became the first Arab nation to recognize Israel under President Anwar Sadat with the Camp David Accords and the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.
During my time traveling in Cairo and the surrounding areas, there was no feeling of warmth towards the State of Israel among the people I met. Everyone I met advised me to hide the fact that I was traveling from Israel and to refrain from speaking Hebrew or risk being harassed.
Egypt. Not too friendly (Photo: AP)
On the diplomatic front, Egypt and Israel have made remarkable achievements in military and economic bilateral cooperation. In 2008 the amount of mutual trade between the countries was 271 million dollars. Among the leadership of Egypt and Israel there appears to be plenty of cooperation and understanding of the strategic benefit that peaceful relations offers both nations in terms of fighting terrorism and maintaining healthy relationships with the west.
From my experience, the Egyptians I met were still cautious about interacting with Israelis and in some instances flat out didn't like them. Despite 30 years of diplomatic peace, there doesn't exist a strong mutual understanding between the people.
My experience in Jordan was a lot more positive. Israel and Jordan have only had normalized diplomatic relations
since 1994. While traveling through Jordan I was really impressed by how hospitable and friendly the people were that I met. Everywhere I went there seemed to be tons of Israelis interested in learning about Jordanian culture.
Petra, Jordan. Warm and receptive (Photo: Ivy Lerer)
Among the Jordanians I spoke with, they seemed receptive to learning about Israeli society and maintaining a closer bond between the two nations. King Abdullah's willingness to promote positive relations with the West is helping his country prosper with increased tourism, economic, and military cooperation with Israel. Besides Israel, there is probably no other nation that fears instability within the Palestinian territories more than Jordan.
My impressions of both countries is very different. Israel's peace with Jordan seems more genuine amongst average citizens but it is going to take more time to bridge this gap in regards to Egyptians. Neither country would have ever sought peace with Israel if not for a desire to bridge a closer gap with the West, most notably the United States.
Just because leaders like Sadat and King Hussein I signed peace with Israel, does not mean their people became pro-Zionist. I think they have just accepted that Israel has defended herself before, is in a position of strength and is not going anywhere. Once countries make that mental switch and accept that fighting Israel will no longer work then peace becomes possible. Terrorist groups like Hamas and Hizbullah still operate under the mentality that Israel can be destroyed, which makes peace nearly impossible.
I hope that Israel's neighbors can learn from the models of Egypt and Jordan and recognize the mutual benefit inherent in establishing peaceful relations with Israel. 
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