On Israeli/Palestinian Peace

So what could be the elements of a workable, durable Israeli-Palestinian peace plan? Achievement of that objective has bedeviled the world for way too long. It’s high time that world leaders bite the bullet and, if necessary, impose a solution, just as the UN imposed the partition of Palestine in 1947 that created this whole debacle. 

To me, there are two main components that must be addressed, both essential, neither without pain. Clearly, In this case, the End does justify the Means.

1. The displaced Palestinians. 

 Following the UN partition of Palestine and the war that followed some 700,000 Palestinian refugees were dispersed to various places in the Middle East. The 1967 war added another 300,000 to those numbers. These were people who lost homes, businesses, farms, etc and became wards of the UN. Their return is unlikely. Plans to compensate these refugees for their losses has been complicated. The Israeli government has indicated that any compensation to Palestinian refugees should be offset by compensation to the some 350,000 Jews who left, or were ousted, from Arab lands. Secondly, the Palestinians themselves refused, or were urged to refuse, compensation since that would foreclose on any hope of return to their land. After so many decades in limbo, I believe two things may now be possible: (a) a reasonable compensation package to the 6 million refugees now under UN patronage and (b) an agreement in the international community to integrate these stateless people into their countries. This would relieve the UN from this heavy burden it has shouldered for 75 years, the financial burden many countries have incurred in support of the Palestinians and give these industrious but forsaken people an opportunity to finally build a normal life.

2.    The military occupation of the West Bank and virtual imprisonment of Gaza.

There are close to 14 million Palestinians dispersed around the world, around 2 million in Gaza (and dwindling), 3 million in the West bank. Just as the 16 million Jews around the world deserve a sovereign country of its own, so should the Palestinians. Since they seem unwilling to live together in one country, a formula must be reached that will give berth to a real, sovereign Palestinian state living beside a secure, sovereign Israel. Today there are 144 settlements in the West Bank housing some 500,000 Israeli settlers and over 20,000 in outposts, illegal even under Israeli law. In East Jerusalem there are 12 settlements, another 250,000 settlers. There are also 25,000 settlers in the Golan Heights. These are all in violation of the UN charter to which both Israel and the U.S. are signatories. These settlements have complicated the formation of a sovereign Palestinian state and somehow must be removed. This is neither impossible nor unprecedented. In 2005, Israel removed all 21 settlements from Gaza and another 4 in the northern West Bank. It also removed 18 settlements from the Sinai when a peace deal was made with Egypt. Settlers must be compensated and they must be moved. 

Israel has built a 440 mile wall separating the West Bank from Israel. 85% of this wall is built on West Bank land, extending, in some places, 11 miles and enveloping some 9% of the West Bank. This territory is lost forever. The 25,000 Palestinians trapped on the wrong side of the wall and many of the settlers can change places. There is probably room on the Israeli side of the wall to accommodate the bulk of the settlers.

Palestine must be demilitarized, but have real sovereignty, full control of its borders, airspace, water resources, etc. The UN must provide border security for a period of time. No price is too high for peace and security for both.

So the solution seems straightforward but will require sacrifices from all sides. The status quo is proving more painful and more costly than any solution. We need a  Nelson Mandela, international, diplomatic efforts and world statesmanship willing to make bold moves, incur the necessary costs and apply whatever pressure is needed to force an end to this quagmire that has seen too much misery by too many for too long.

– – – – Just the view of a common man.