Here is a plan for achieving peace in Palestine and Israel. I strongly believe the plan serves the best interests of both peoples and that much of the hostility between the so called ‘west’ and the Islamic world would disappear were a just two-state solution to be found.
I realize that my numbers may need tweaking a bit, but the concept of coupling military budgets with the possibility of a mutual buy-out is the heart of the plan. I also realize that the real rub is getting any proposal such as this to the people whom it would actually benefit the most, i.e., the majority of whom, given the chance, would vote for it.
A Plan for Peace: Share the Land : Harvest the Peace
You shall put all the males to the sword, but you take the women, the dependents, and the cattle for yourselves, and plunder everything else in the city.
(The Hebrew Bible: Deuteronomy: 20:13-15)
You shall not steal.
(The Hebrew Bible: Exodus. 20: 15)
And slay them wherever you come upon them, and expel them from where they expelled you; persecution is more grievous than slaying.
(Koran, The Cow, 185)
Be kind to parents, and the near kinsmen, and to orphans, and to the needy,
and to the neighbor who is kin,
and to the neighbor who is a stranger,
and to the companion at your side,
and to the traveler, and to that your
®right hands own.
(Koran, Women: 40)
ASSUMPTIONS
1. Millions of innocent Israelis and Palestinians continue to suffer not only from violent attacks but from the constant fear, anger and frustration that comes from not knowing when or where the next bomb or bullet will come from.
2. Both Israelis and Palestinians have historical roots in and rights to the lands they now occupy.
3. While there are extremists on both sides who desire the expulsion of the enemy from lands they consider theirs by historical/divine right and are very unlikely to compromise, the majority of both Israelis and Palestinians will be willing to compromise in return for sufficient living space, adequate resources and a secure and lasting peace.
4. The security of both Israel and Palestine can best be achieved by enlisting the support of the world community to insure the sanctity of their borders and freedom from violent attack.
COSTS
Were the top ten nations in military spending to contribute 10% of their military budgets, each and every Israeli settler and Palestinian refugee would receive a payment of approximately $29,000. For the average Israeli family this would amount to $136,000, with the average Ashkenazi Haredi family receiving $305,000 and the average Sephardi/Mizochi Haredi family receiving $249,000. The average family in Gaza would receive $209,000 and the average family in the West Bank would receive $155,000
1. The combined military spending of the top 20 countries in 2024 was about US$2.39 trillion.
10% of $2.39 trillion equals $239 billion.
As of early 2023, there are about 500,000–530,000 Israeli settlers living in the West Bank,.
Dividing 239 billion by 530,000 gives roughly $451,000 to every Israeli settler ( man woman and children..
This figure could well be much greater if the tithing hat were passed to all members of the world community.
2. Palestine and Israel will recognize the right of both nations to exist within the pre-1967 (green line) borders, each maintaining its capital in Jerusalem.
3. With minor, mutually agreed upon adjustments, Israeli West Bank settlers will return to within Israel’s pre-1967 border.
4. Palestinian refugees and their heirs will agree to accept reparations for their relinquishment of their right to return to within Israel’s pre 1967 border.
BENEFITS
The linkage of this Buyout Resolution to military spending should be obvious: if one were to honestly consider the root causes of international violence and terrorism, the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict ranks high. The providing of incentives for peace and prosperity should be part of every nation’s arsenal.
Those who argue that money has little influence where religious principles are concerned should recall that as part of the Camp David peace accords of 1978, the United States promised to give Egypt and Israel billions of dollars as an incentive to agree to become peaceful neighbors. Until recently Israel and Egypt received the lion’s share of U.S. aid. Today the U.S. continues to give the two countries more foreign aid than any other country except for Afghanistan and Iraq.
Also relevant is the fact that the Israeli settlers who left Gaza received remuneration from the Israeli government.
ä The former heads of the Israeli Shin Bet (General Security Services) were in general agreement that Israel should leave Gaza completely and that 85% to 90% of the West Bank settlers would leave “with a simple economic plan”, leaving perhaps “10% with whom we will have to clash.” “The Geneva Accords and Ayalon-Nusseibah plans are based on similar assumptions, which appear realistic”. Given that economic incentives (grants of $11,400 and soft loans of equal amount) have been offered to Israeli’s to induce them to move to the settlements, it is not unreasonable to think that far more attractive inducements would wean them away.
̋Were all the settlers to return to Israel, its population density would still be significantly less than that of Palestine, Belgium, India, Lebanon, Netherlands, Puerto Rico and many other countries.
The majority of both peoples would be motivated by the knowledge that their collective sacrifice could result in peace and prosperity for both nations. Extremists on both sides will undoubtedly resist the process, but as the benefits ‘on the ground’ became more and more evident, they would be marginalized and the collective will of the majorities could then assume control of their affairs.
MUTUAL SECURITY
It is highly likely that the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, and many individual nations and groups would join in such an effort. Along with their direct economic support the contribution of intelligence on the part of the world community would greatly enhance the security of both nations. This would include not only intelligence gathered by governmental agencies, but information provided by millions of ordinary people, many of them in the Arab world, who would be far more inclined to see terrorist activity as threatening innocent lives and a desirable status quo, than as a means to achieving a better world for an oppressed and desperate people.
A fraction of the hundreds of billions of dollars spent yearly on weapons and war could go a long way towards eradicating Middle East terror were it be spent on humanitarian projects.
Terrorism cannot be defeated by armies winning wars. Effectively combating terrorism requires police actions and gaining trust and credibility in the societies in which the terrorists operate. The most important weapons in one’s antiterrorism arsenal are reliable intelligence and community support of local police.
It may be necessary to move the “separation wall” to the 1967 border. It would then become a truly defensive device, a wall for national definition. Generations of Palestinians and Israelis have been born into horrible conflict and the hatred and fear of each other will not disappear overnight. It may take several generations before mutual trust can be achieved, but a viable Palestinian state and a secure Israel are necessary conditions for an end to the conflict.
Note: CHATTYPANTS HELPED ME WITH THE MONEY NUMBERS AND THE MATH.