B. The various branches of the Palestine liberation movement will have to recognize Israel's right to exist within secure borders, probably based on the pre-1967 map.
C. Even if the above were to occur, there likely would be occasional acts of violence and terrorism emanating from both sides. Ultra-Orthodox, fundamentalist Jews (some inside the government), believing that the Torah supports them in their Greater Israel territorial claims, may well try to derail any peace negotiations, and the requisite concessions, by attacking Palestinian targets. Likewise, ultra-nationalist or militant Islamist groups in Palestine and beyond, believing history and/or their faith give them justifications for their policies, may keep up the rocket attacks on Israel and suicide bombings inside Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and elsewhere.
Both negotiating sides will have to agree that they will not permit the movement toward a peaceful solution to be vetoed by those who would try to stop that progress through violence. Right now, anytime there is some hope for the peace process and an incursion or bombing or rocket attack takes place, the violence veto is allowed to trump the hard work of the solution-minded diplomats and political leaders. That must stop, and can be stopped, in effect, by ignoring the terrorism. If the two viable states are talking to each other and reach significant agreements, that terrorism eventually will diminish.
D. If (and it's a very big if) the two sides can recognize that The Other is not going to disappear, no matter how much violence is employed, and sign a peace treaty, then a wide variety of other vexing issues can be brought to the forefront and solutions found. Issues such as: how to deal with the Palestinians' claimed "right of return" to their ancient lands inside Israel, who will rule Jerusalem, who will control the water rights in that parched region, how thousands of Palestinians can move back and forth easily between Gaza and the West Bank and to their daily jobs inside Israel, etc. etc.
SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
One can see the outlines, if not the details, as to how these problems might be solved:
A. Once a peace treaty has been signed, some Palestinian families will be permitted to return to their ancestral lands inside Israel, but there's no way Israel will permit millions or even hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees to pour into the Jewish State. Equitable financial compensation will be paid by Israel to those not permitted to return. (In principle, Palestinian negotiators in the past have indicated that they'd be willing to entertain discussion along these lines.)
B. Jerusalem is holy land for all three major religions in the area. It would make sense for Jersualem to become an "international city," administered either by a joint Christian/Jewish/Islamic body or by an already existing international agency, perhaps under United Nations auspices. (Again, discussions already have taken place on such a potential arrangement.)
C. Water rights and easy access to and from Israel/Palestine no doubt can be worked out once the essential compromises have been made and both sides are working in good faith with each other.
PEACE MAY BE THE ONLY OPTION LEFT
Given the current tense, explosive situation on the ground in Gaza and throughout the Middle East, is any of what's been discussed above practical or even possible? Maybe not. Maybe it will take another decade or two of continued slaughter and occupation before cooler, probably younger, leaders emerge with the courage to make the deal to ensure the peaceful future of their children and grandchildren.
But to do nothing, to give into that status quo despair, to surrender to ongoing violence, to assume that we have to wait decades for the killing to get so intense, is to give tacit support to Israel's continued occupation and brutalization and humiliation of Palestinians, to give tacit encouragement to Palestinian suicide bombers and rocket launchers.
With the departure of CheneyBush in January of 2009 and the possibility of a new, more intelligent and nuanced Administration in Washington, we must all try to build up the momentum for peace in the Middle East. To do nothing, in the mode of the Bush Adminstration, is self-defeating, immoral, and can no longer be accepted as an option.#
Bernard Weiner, Ph.D. in government & international relations, has written extensively on the Middle East condundrum; he has taught an universities in California and Washington, worked as a writer/editor for the San Francisco Chronicle for two decades, and currently serves as co-editor of The Crisis Papers (www.crisispapers.org). To comment: crisispapers@comcast.net .
First published by The Crisis Papers and Democratic Underground 3/11/08. www.crisispapers.org/essays8w/middleast.htm
Bernard Weiner, Ph.D. in government & international relations, has taught at universities in California and Washington, worked for two decades as a writer-editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, and currently serves as co-editor of The Crisis Papers (www.crisispapers.org).
it would put together a coalition force like it did when Iraq invaded Kuwait. This force should then be used to force the Israeli invaders back to the International boundaries originally given to it by the United Nations. If Israel then continues to violate International Laws or United National resolutions, the Palestine land which was taken to create Israel will be reclaimed by Palestine, the same as the land given to Nazi Germany was reclaimed by Czechoslovakia. In all cases the Palestine People will retain their right of return.
100% Citizen of the United States of America
by
Anton Grambihler (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 262 comments)
on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 8:19:56 AM
I agree that a coaltion of that size would be appropriate bu
I agree that a coaltion of that size would be appropriate but is (1) it achievable and (2) absolutely necessary.
I think the fact is that if the US would back off, an occupation for ce for implementing the change should include more honest brokers--of which truly honest brokers are hard to find. I imagine if an unusual coalition of European states, Arab states, African states and Asian or Latin American states would be enough.
The USA has its hands too much on the Israeli side in recent decades. It would take 5 years of more even-handed politics by a new USA administration for the USA to be seen as a more honest broker. Perhaps, even Russia (or China), would be a better player at this junction in history. The USA with its wars Afghanistan and Iraq must likely be severely constricted or over by then
by
ALONE (117 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 266 comments)
on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 11:42:30 AM
