The collapse of the Kerry talks and the devastating cycle of attacks and reprisals that ensued marked the end of an era, the passing of a time when a negotiated peace seemed a realistic possibility. In considering the way forward in the Palestinian–Israeli conflict, this essay examines the relational changes that brought about the settlement ending apartheid in South Africa, with a focus on three key players: Nelson Mandela, F. W. de Klerk, and Roelf Meyer. It then briefly describes the relation-building framework developed by the Stanford Center on International Conflict and Negotiation and explains how it provides an alternative to solutions-based and rights-based approaches to resolving the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Drawing inspiration from Martin Luther King, Jr., it concludes with reflections on the importance of non-violence in altering the discourse between Israelis and Palestinians.