COULD ONE STATE PHENOMENON BE THE SOLUTION?

It´s blowing here, it´s blowing there.

Many are homeless and hungry. Many are living in depression and anxiety. Nothing is louder than the roaring sound of tanks, war planes, automatic guns and wailing sirens. However, amidst these deafening noises, one can hear the weeping of the grieving, the shouts of anguish and anger, the threatening voices full of hatred and vengeance!

This is not a scene in a horror movie, nor a part of a video game, it is in fact the present situation in Israel and Palestine.

It started way back in November 02, 1917, when Britain signed the Balfour Declaration, pledging to establish a national home in Palestine for the Jewish people. This led to a series of events that ended in November 29, 1947, when 2/3 of the United Nation´s General Assembly voted for the partition of Palestine into two independent states; i.e. Israel and Palestine- Arab State.

Since then and all the hell broke out in the region; wars, destruction, fleeing and overwhelming statements from both sides.

In June 1967, Israel, driven by what it perceived as self defense, attacked Egypt, Syria and the area known as the West Bank (administered by Jordan). This attack resulted in the Occupation of Sinai, Gaza Strip (administered by Egypt), Golan Heights and the West Banks. Jerusalem was captured by the Israeli Army for the first time which was a magnificent achievement for some Jewish groups who believed in rebuilding the temple Mount on the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and who may have given up this dream for a while until they found Jerusalem under the Israeli flag.

The occupation of Jerusalem marked the beginning of a new type of conflict propelled and inflamed by religious beliefs and doctrines rather than political considerations.

Israel had a reason to believe that its army was unbeatable, but the surprise attacks made by the Egyptians and Syrians in October 6, 1973 may have changed the rules to some extent.

Yom Kippur war marked the beginning of a new thinking, that a military solution is not the answer to the Israeli-Arab conflict.

It was the initiative taken by the then President Sadat (the Egyptian President from 1970 to 1981) when he visited Israel in 1977, which changed the rules of the ´game´ in the Middle East. Sadat was able to persuade America and Israel that peace will be in favor of both countries and the region as a whole.

Finally, Egypt could successfully negotiate with Israel the return of Sinai. However, the other Arabs refused to negotiate with Israel and considered Sadat a traitor.

Today, Egypt, Jordan and the PLO retain peace agreements with Israel, but the hatred and killings persist. Why? It´s Jerusalem and the right of return to the Palestinian refugees.

Jerusalem, as mentioned earlier, has become a sensitive issue that concerns the very religious side of both Jews and Muslims, more than their political ideologies.

Israel simply rejects the return of the refugees so as to maintain demographic situation in which ´ Jews are more than the non- Jews´ (it has to be noted that there are Arab Jews as well). The late President Arafat refused the proposed settlement during the meeting at Camp David with former President Clinton and Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak because he wanted a full control over Jerusalem. Arafat thought that giving up any piece of Jerusalem would be a betrayal to over a billion Muslims world wide.

Two Entifadas (uprisings) broke out in the area resulting to the loss of many lives and a lot of destruction specially in the occupied territories (Gaza Strip and the west Bank).

Hamas, a Palestinian faction of religious background, came to power through an election . This resulted in more suffering to the Palestinian people as the newly elected government was isolated by Israel and the international community.

Apparently, nothing is left to resolved the conflict and circumstances will remain if not worsen in the decades to come. The solution based on two states doesn´t seem to work. More than half a century passed and there is no progress at all. On the contrary, the situation is getting worse day by day.

Lebanon war in 2006 proved that Israel is vulnerable and it is a matter of time before a massive war breaks out in the region triggered by extremist and terrorists groups. By then, no one will end up a winner. It will be a loss for everyone, where weapons of mass destruction are used. Destruction and killings will be extensive and unimaginable.

It is time for both sides to put their heads together and determine an answer to the critical question; Is there any solution to this conflict? Can we just leave the situation to persist? Would we just wait for a miracle to happen?

I strongly believe that peace is possible and prosperity is evident if the moderates from both sides go beyond their fears and reluctance and embrace the everlasting solution by which both people could live in one state; under one flag.

To many, this is the most absurd solution that one can offer., but if one thinks over, what combines the Arabs and the Jews are more than what differentiates them. There are hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who work in Israel, or have some kind of business with Israel. In religious terms, both the Jews and the Arabs believe in one God and the prophecy and holiness of almost the same prophets. Bearing this in mind, Al-Aqsa site can be a location of peace and understanding. Worshippers from both sides should be allowed to practice their faiths with full freedom and tolerance.

The citizens of the new state will be treated equally; will have the same rights and will be required to perform the same duties. The constitution of the new state would declare Judaism, Christianity and Islam as the official religions. The constitution would consider Jerusalem as a city of peace for all humanity. It could be a pilgrimage destination to all.

The governing power in the new state would be shared in a way that makes every one convenient with no difference between an Arab or a Jew or their religion in the eye of the law. The post of ´prime minister,´ the presidency and Parliament could be rotating, or better based on qualifications. Any Jew or Arab should be allowed to establish residence anywhere, either in the West Bank, Tel Aviv or Hefa. All should live, work and prosper under one flag and identity. The ´one state identity´ would abolish the calls for control over Jerusalem from both sides, besides that, the refugees could return in a mechanism that doesn´t cause urban disturbances, for instance, a new residential areas could be built for them in agreed sites. Any refugee should have the right for the citizenship of the new state after a given period; say two years, as long as he/she abided by the law during that period. This return could be gradual and scheduled, say in a ten year time.

It´s beyond doubt that the achievement of this state will not come effortlessly or in a short period of time. First, a strong will has to be there. Secondly, a complete cease fire should take place. Third, a transitional period will then transpire wherein extensive programs must be designed to teach the young generation, love and tolerance for both sides. They should learn that they are a part of a region and should be proud of it. In this stage, the legal frame work and preparations for the new state would take place paving the way for the power sharing at the end of the period.

This new state will become a friend to all its neighboring countries; borders will open for goods and services, which will lead to an economic boom for everybody in the region. As there is economic stability, the Middle East can now exist in peace and harmony alongside its main ally the US.

In conclusion, no matter what name the state will bear or what flag will it carry, the imperative thing is that Jews, Christians and Muslims will return to live in love, peace and harmony the way they used to be on this land centuries ago.