The Arab-Israeli conflict is also in many ways a conflict about status: it’s a war between two peoples who feel deeply humiliated by the other, who want the other to respect them. Battles over status can be even more intractable than those over land or water or oil.

De Botton reframes the Arab–Israeli conflict less as a purely material dispute (territory, resources, security) and more as a struggle over recognition and dignity. By emphasizing “status” and “humiliation,” he points to the psychological and symbolic injuries that accumulate through historical defeats, displacement, occupation, and perceived disrespect. In this view, each side seeks not only safety or sovereignty but also validation of its narrative and worth. Because status is intangible and easily threatened, concessions can feel like abasement rather than compromise, making negotiations harder. The quote suggests that durable peace requires addressing honor, acknowledgement, and mutual respect—not only borders and treaties.