I think mathematically there are only three solutions: one state, either bi-national (most likely) or a unitary state like South Africa; two states, which is still preferred by the vast majority of Palestinians in Palestine, who seek national self-determination (although they expect the eventual evolution of a single state); or apartheid – a “two-state solution” envisioned by Israel in which the Palestinians are shoved into a Bantustan on a truncated 15% of historic Palestine and Israel controls the rest, including borders, movement, water, Jerusalem and even the airspace. I believe that Israel has eliminated the two-state solution by its settlement project, and only an assertive US Administration can force Israel to withdraw to a meaningful degree, which is possible if US interests are at stake but unlikely. Since apartheid is not an option, we are left with a one-state solution, which I think is difficult – the history of bi-national states is not a happy one – but do-able if both peoples go into that project in good faith (very unlikely on the part of Israel). The one-state solution also enjoys no support today either in Israel or in the international community. It appears, then, that we have a conflict with no apparent solution at the moment.
I have advanced what I call a “two state-plus” solution based on the idea of a loose regional economic confederation involving Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Key to that is the freedom of all the residents of the confederation to live and work anywhere among its member states, as in Europe. This would eliminate the issue of how big the Palestinian is, neutralize the Occupation (since the settlements and Israel proper would be fully integrated), resolve the refugee issue and shift the burden of economic viability from a tiny Palestinian state to the entire region. But that’s a big vision whose time has not yet come.
Jeff Halper's new book “An Israeli in Palestine” is out now.
Frank Barat is a peace activist living in London. His book of interviews between Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappe, “Le champ du possible” is out now. He can be reached through is blog “Life under occupation”.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/03/2008525134113642752.html
http://www.mop.gov.ps/en/publishing/detail.asp?recordID=169.
Also read Adam Hanieh article: http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/hanieh190708a.html
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