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.
The vast majority of the world’s population and most countries in the United Nations — 147 out of 193 — already recognize a Palestinian state, which currently has observer status at the U.N. In the past few days, three “western” countries have broken ranks with the U.S/ Israel’s Block and announced that they would recognize Palestine: France, and with conditions, Britain and Canada.
Were these countries to put their pocketbooks where their morals are, a movement could well emerge that would make it difficult for Israel to continue its Pogroms in the West Bank. Many of the settlers are there not because of a perceived Biblical deed which gives them the right, but because they were given stolen land and money and protection to live there.
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.
THE PLAN
1. Create a fund to be collected from all those states recognizing the state of Palestine and to be used to buy out Israeli settlers in the West Bank and help rebuild Gaza. With minor, mutually agreed upon adjustments, these Israeli West Bank settlers will return to within Israel’s pre-1967 border. This buy out could be linked to contributor’s military budgets – say 10%. 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.
2. Palestine and Israel agree recognize the right of both nations to exist within the pre-1967 (green line) borders, each maintaining its capital in Jerusalem.
3.. 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.
MEETING OBSTACLES
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.
Also relevant is the fact that the Israeli settlers who left Gaza received remuneration from the Israeli government.
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.”
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 economic growth that would result in both countries as a result of the influx of money and labor would be immense. Given the economic plight of Gaza and the West Bank, it is reasonable to expect that the majority of Palestinians would be willing to trade away their rights to the land within Israel’s 1967 boundary were they to receive adequate financial remuneration along with more land and the ability to form a contiguous and viable state. Construction of homes and infrastructure, especially in Palestine, which would need to begin essentially from scratch would surely contribute to the confidence, security and general well-being of both peoples and those who care about them. The settlers would also benefit from the sale of the improvements they have made. The price of these assets could be determined in manner which would guarantee an amount equal to the equity plus loans and liens on each property.
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.
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.
Finally it should also be noted that there is ample precedent for this proposal. After World War II, Israel occupied urban properties that had belonged to German Lutheran Templars and then gave them to new settlers from Europe. They then agreed to pay the Templars for their confiscated lands.