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Vision of a Union of Israel and Palestine
This reading will be direct, yet detailed enough to create a vision of what one may
call "peace". "Peace" in the sense of lack of violence used by one side, or nation state,
against the other, is the goal which we seek to achieve with such a dream. All this only
remains an illusion as long as narrow-minded all-or-nothing controllers determine the fate
of the region. Or rather, the psyche of the masses involved, determined largely by media
propagated groupthink, are responsible for the approach that we as a whole take towards
the situation.
Israel and Palestine The solutions to this current predicament
must be measurable and pragmatic. The wisest of leaders whether secular or religious, throughout
history, have always assessed any problems for the opportunities and threats, and made
goals and strategies. We must encompass all of the factors into a realistic dissertation
on how to advance a more stable and prosperous region, and by extension, world.
RELIGION LAND and UNION
RIGHT OF RETURN POWER and DIPLOMACY
PEACE
These are the major factors which will briefly be discussed here, in a quite succinct manner,
so a general familiarity of the current situation will be necessary.
The main goals of such a proposal are that Israel achieves security from any Palestinian
aggressors, and Palestinians achieve a sovereign state.
RELIGION Muslims. Jews. Christians. The three main
Abrahamic faiths. A large percentage of Muslims want all the
land returned to Palestinians, or right of return at least to all of Israel. Many Jews
want to continue advancing onto Palestinian territory, with no end in sight. Christians
are a minority player in numbers on the ground, but have massive global influence based largely
on international support of Israel. They mostly wish to have a stable and protected Israel,
and peace in the region. There is no need to address the backgrounds
and similarities of all the three faiths. Anyone reading this paper should be familiar
with them. Knowing therefore the professed shared creed of adherence to Monotheism, these
three faiths can theoretically coexist as they have in past generations, with minimal
strife between citizens. The continued bloodshed and terror perpetrated by all sides only fuels
the fires of revenge and hate, which pass down through time.
The positive and tolerant aspects of each of these faiths must be focused upon and propagated
to the masses of adherents. This is a perpetual action which is a foundation and shield against
greater decay in mass consciousness. Thus, the believers will become greater proponents
of this vision of peace, and more positively reactive towards any unrest. Secular media
and outlets should in similar fashion promote the same values, which influence all people
inclusively. Public and private funding and corporations will be motivated or compelled
to take such required actions, as well as individuals.
The beliefs and sacred places and objects of each three religions must be protected
at all times. Special measures will be taken, including on individual cases, to maximize
the protection and access to of these sites and objects.
LAND and UNION The Union will be Secular, but have strong
religious undertones. Full respect must be enjoined for all of the participants, and
no discrimination can take place based on gender, age, or faith. This limited government
cannot legislate beyond its assigned duties, unless a designated majority of both sides
agree to an amendment. The State of Israel will remain a sovereign
nation. The State of Palestine will become a sovereign nation. The only exceptions to
complete control will be the limited and secular Union between the two nations (and any other
previous existing obligations such as requirements of U.N. membership). Israel and Palestine
may therefore have whichever types of governments they chose, given that each other's citizens
are protected and not harmed, and any aggressors on either side are dealt with accordingly.
Peace will be mandated against any who seek to return to violence and division.
There will be one land with two states. The State of Israel and The State of Palestine.
They will have a union based on a limited constitution, with chosen representatives
to administer to such issues as a newly shared Jerusalem (and any other highly contested
areas), semi-autonomous regions within each other’s territory, and other issues like
intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism resources. This equal sharing by each side,
with neither having greater say than the other, will be the basis for a partnership for mutual
security and sovereignty. The State of Israel will retain its current
1967 borders, and also most of the territory it has acquired since then. Any very inlaying
areas of settlers in the Palestinian territories will be sanctioned as semi-autonomous regions,
part of Israel, but subject to certain Palestinian legislation. In return for this added territory,
Israel must give in return a mixture of land and currency. The fertility and accessibility
of the land exchanged must be factored in. The State of Palestine will be given full
sovereignty over the remaining areas of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They will have
full rights over their resources, the only exception being obligations of sufficient
contracts with any semi-autonomous Israeli settlements in the region. All Israeli troops
and any hostile agents will be removed from the Palestinian State. Full control over its
own borders will be returned, along with full access to the sea and all international trade.
Inspectors sent by The Union of Israel and Palestine will be permitted to oversee the
trade to forbid any unsanctioned weapons. Israel will refrain from any physical aggression
towards any sovereign Palestinians, unless they are being attacked or threatened with
imminent attack, and then only are allowed action according to established protocol by
The Union. Israel, being a fully capable and sovereign
state, to a large degree a Jewish homeland, will have full representation at its half
of The Union government. The Palestinians, being divided and representing Arabs and Muslims,
will have an international element of inclusion in their half of The Union. In return for
partial representation in The Union, and in support of a prosperous Palestine, and Muslim
unity, the wealthier Arab and Muslim states will pledge economic, financial, and political
support to The State of Palestine. This will be under contractual obligations signed by
the included nations in agreement with Palestine. Other countries in the world will be pressured
to also similarly support Palestinian growth, in pursuance of peace and stability, primarily
through investment.
RIGHT OF RETURN A limited number of refugees will be allowed
to return to The State of Israel. Unlimited amount of refugees may return to The State
of Palestine. All Palestinians will be allowed certain visitation rights to travel in Israel
(those without criminal record or other exceptions). Migration to either area must be based upon
demonstrated evidence of lineage in either area, otherwise citizenship may be contested.
Internally and externally displaced Palestinians will be compensated for certain territories
forcefully acquired by Israel. The Israeli government will pay out a limited amount of
currency or land, distributed as determined by The Union, to the refugees who return and
those who apply for compensation from abroad. Other nations, corporations, and individuals
will be pressured to contribute to this compensation fund as well, which will in turn contribute
greatly to a newly revived Palestinian economy.
POWER and DIPLOMACY Power is not everything, but it sure gives
one a strong hand in diplomacy. The current State of Israel is a military superpower.
It is fully backed by the most powerful military the world has ever known, along with many
of its allies. The current Palestinian territories are highly divided and underdeveloped. Only
with international support will they within a generation become united and modernized
enough to ensure stability. Great acquisitions are given to Israel in
return for mutual peace and sovereignty. Great compensation is also given to Palestinians.
The price may seem too high to extremists on both sides, but the majority of those who
strive for peace will see that it is only by being diplomatic will there ever be stability.
PEACE The majority of the world’s population,
along with the power structures on all sides, will realize that such a pragmatic approach
and solution will create a protected and stable Israel and Palestine. It will have tremendous
impact throughout the region, and by extension, the world. It will alter the consciousness
of billions of aware humans, in a positive way, like no other peace can bring. This region
is essential to these three major faiths. The common lineage of ancestors and prophets
inclines us to unite in peace. A tolerant, diverse, and prosperous region will forever
change the course of humanity. Anyone who would oppose such a vision for selfish greedy
means is just an obstacle which must be overcome. The forces of peace if strong enough can push
forth such an agenda as proposed here. In the end, Palestinians gain a sovereign
nation state of their own, with a total end of any occupation. They are given major support
internationally to speed up their recovery and ensure stability. Israel is given a great
amount of the territory it has taken in excess of the 1967 defined boundaries. It will be
protected from any aggressors within Palestine by a much more effective and long-term means.
Israel will gain much respect among people worldwide, and reverse the escalating negative
perception of it. The Arab and Muslim countries and individuals will naturally be more welcoming
towards Israel in all relations. Instead of constantly feeling on the verge of WW3 in
the region, a new peace will emerge that may last for a hundred years or more. The consequences
of steps towards such a union should not be undervalued. The relational improvements created
by such a union would reverberate throughout the world, specifically to those of the three
faiths, who comprise over half the world’s population and dominate five continents.
Perhaps these are just wasted words. Perhaps it’s a vision that will never happen. But
I for one will not give up without any effort. Perhaps this vision will inspire one who has
a great impact on the matter. Perhaps that person is you. God does not give us an exact
timeline as to when things will happen. The best among us will work for a better future.
The best among us choose peace.