When one examines relations between Israel and the Arab world, the commonly accepted story revolves around a beleaguered David—-Israel—-surviving for the previous seventy-three years against a rapacious Goliath—-the Arab world. But, from 1948 (when Israel was established) to the present day, the story of Israel and its relationship with its Arab neighbors, was often skewed, and not factually reliable. Today, following a renewed round of fighting, this time solely between Israelis and Palestinians, it has become ever-more apparent that both sides are caught in a spiral of hatred and violence that can only end in disaster.

Let’s review the generally accepted version of the basic story: Israel emerged in 1948 from the tragedy of the Holocaust. Enmity between Israel, the Arab world and the British, the latter being the colonial overseer of the territory known as Palestine, was at the level of civil war. Within that territory, battles raged on a daily basis as the newly created United Nations sought to obtain a political settlement. President Truman, meanwhile, sought a diplomatic solution that would create, as recommended by the UN, two states: one for the Jews, another for the Arabs. Jerusalem was to be internationalized. With the Arabs rejecting that formula, Israel successfully emerged from this war for independence. Palestine was divided: a Jewish state, with remaining Arab territory controlled by Jordan. Jerusalem was split in a similar manner.

From then on, four major wars were fought between Arab nations and Israel, along with many significant outbreaks of violence. Diplomatic interference by the United States, the Soviet Union, England and France sometimes produced small initiatives that advanced the peace process, but no comprehensive settlement has been achieved. Along the way, Israel became a military powerhouse; the Palestinians have secured divided administrative control over parts of the West Bank and the entire Gaza Strip.

In 2015, despite countless warnings coming from American Jews and Israeli officials, Israeli Prime Minister “Bibi” Netanyahu accepted an invitation by Republican leadership to travel to Washington and address Congress. President Obama was purposely ignored and the visit proceeded on schedule. The Prime Minister was in the midst of fighting American sponsorship of a nuclear agreement with Iran. So, Bibi put aside the strong possibility of destroying Israel’s bipartisan American support and went ahead with the visit. Since then, Israel has been perceived by countless Americans as a tool of the Republican Party and, especially, its Trumpian wing.

Also emerging in the United States was extraordinary support for Israel among Evangelical Christians. In fact, Israeli political leadership often leans in their direction over the advice of powerful segments of American Jewry. This will, eventually, be a disaster for those trying to sustain a democratic Israel that seeks to make peace with the Palestinians on the basis of a two-state solution.

Is there hope? Just maybe. A few weeks ago, political patterns began to shift; a new paradigm in Israeli politics and relations with the United States has emerged. Israel now has a new Prime Minister—Naftali Bennett.

After nearly fifteen years in office, Bibi fought to remain in power. Obviously, he lost that effort. Like his fellow would-be dictator, Donald Trump, the process of keeping him permanently displaced won’t be easy. But at this point, removal was key.

While both in the U.S., and Israel, political change is necessary if democracy is to avoid severe damage, their respective foreign policies will likely shift significantly as their political elites move in and out of power. With Israel, the growing power of its secular and religious rightists means an equitable settlement with the Palestinians is unlikely. (Remember, Israel’s new Prime Minister is more obstinate on this issue than Bibi: he remains opposed to a two-state solution and favors annexation of the West Bank). And in the United States, American support for Israeli policies are shrinking. Especially affected are younger American Jews whose traditional liberalism has encompassed support for Palestinian rights. These beliefs are deeply felt and must be accommodated by political elites in both countries if American Jews are to remain a powerful voting bloc for the Jewish state. Israel’s strength and ultimate survival may depend upon it. An Israel perceived as an apartheid-like state by much of the world is a recipe for continued political and social turmoil. Isolation and global opprobrium will result and likely become an existential threat.