Bob Schwartz

In 1948, as much of the world was recovering from World War II, the world also felt guilty and ashamed at not having intervened sooner to save 6 million Jews from Hitler.

A Jewish haven was established in Israel. There was widespread, though not universal, support for this. Whether this “worked” is a matter of perspective. It was bound from the inception to be a source of conflict, which continues to this moment.

What might have been more broadly acceptable and peace-inducing would have been an Abrahamic state, rather than just a Jewish one. It could have been a democracy where human rights were guaranteed for all people—Jews, Christians, Muslims, other believers, non-believers. It could have been an official home for all three traditions that honor Israel/Palestine as a foundational sacred space. Differences in beliefs, some not insubstantial, could be subsumed to common principles. The Abrahamic religions are literally siblings. Like all siblings there are conflicts, but like children of the same father, they are also family.

Write that speculative history. You will find it is not perfect—what history is?—but you will also find less enmity and more comity. What could be wrong with that?

Where is a time machine when you really need one?

© 2026 Bob Schwartz