November 20, 2024
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, 18
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….
-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 religious 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
1. 10% the military budgets of the world’s top ten biggest military spenders: U.S., China, France, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, Germany Japan, Italy, Saudi Arabia and India.
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
With leadership by the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, the world community will create a fund to guarantee reparations for Israeli West Bank Settlers and Palestinian refugees . Were the top ten nations in military spending to contribute 10% of their military budgets, each and every Israeli settler and Palestinian refugee (children, women, and men) would receive a payment of approximately $29,000. The $29,000 figure could well be much greater if the tithing hat were passed to all members of the world community (States and individuals).
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.
CONCLUSION
Money can solve problems, but the lack of it and the quest for it can, and does cause suffering and tragedy, Consider:
The world has more than enough resources to accelerate progress in human development for all and to eradicate the worst forms of poverty from the planet. Advancing human development is not an exorbitantundertaking. For example, it has been estimated that the total additional yearly investment required to achieve universal access to basic social services would be roughly $40 billion, 0.1% of world income, barely more than a rounding error. That covers the bill for basic education,health, nutrition, reproductive health, family planning, and safe waterand sanitation for all.
— United Nations Development Programme: Human Development Report, 1998 [6] (This is dated, but adjust for inflation – budgets and fortunes have been equally affected.)
Imagine, if you can: Mogul Musk, and other Oilgarchs pooling their moola and not only doing no harm, but making this world a better place for all.
Subscribed
Jessica McKenzie: I was wondering if you could start by telling me how you arrived at this topic—why critical metals?
