Republic of Jerusalem: A New Path To Middle East Peace

In our last discussion, we talked about the merits of a Jordan/Palestine federation and the failings of the two-state solution in finding peace between Israelis and Arabs in the Middle East. This would of course depend on the willingness of Jordanians and Palestinians to work together in a shared destiny and can be encouraged, but not enforced from without. But what about an Israeli/Palestine federation that shares the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea for common stability and prosperity? A Republic of Jerusalem, if you will?

I'm not the first to propose this concept. In the 1920's, many prominent Jewish thinkers, such as Martin Buber, made similar suggestions and were even critics of Israel as a separate Jewish state. As refugees and victims of persecution themselves, they were deeply concerned about the disenfranchisement and rights of others. Of course, history took Israel and the Palestinians in a different direction. But is it time to revisit a binational state again?

Today's critics of a binational state fear that it would mean the the loss of the Jewish identity and homeland in Israel. Some Palestinian advocates of a binational state hope for the same result...the eradication of Israel through population growth. But must this be the case? Here's what I propose.

I do not advocate a one man-one vote system that favors the majority at the expense of minority populations. The rights of all need to be protected and I'm also not a believer in such a centralized state government. The model I suggest following is not South Africa, but rather a federal republic like the United States, or a localized canton structure like Switzerland. Here's my plan:

The territories of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza would be decentralized and divided according to the majority populations of each area. I've seen suggestions of dividing the area into 6, 9, or 12 cantons. Government would be localized as much as possible to the local district level with the federal government only having a few constitutional duties such as defense and trade. Functions such as education, religion and culture would be performed at the local, or regional level.

A Constitution would be ratified by both Israeli and Palestinian representatives that would protect the rights of all and establish the structures of the federation and the responsibilities of each level of government.

Jerusalem would be a separate district and be the federal capital of both the Israeli and Palestinian territories much like Washington D.C. is for the United States.

The federal legislature would be bicameral in nature with a House of Representatives elected by popular vote and a Senate divided evenly between the states of Israel and Palestine. Senators might even be nominated through appointment by the cantons, or states rather than by election. A Prime Minister would be selected, as a consensus candidate, by the Senate, to avoid extremism from either side, to serve as chief executive and to administer the affairs of the federal government.

A Right of Return would be granted to both Jews and Palestinians within their respective territories.

Here are the benefits of such a plan.

Neither Israelis, or Palestinians would feel disenfranchised and can work together towards a comon destiny and for their mutual prosperity. The economies of both peoples are already interlinked and would be hard to separate in any future political division.

This plan is based upon a shared constitution and the establishment of a new legal and political structure and so does not require the agreement of any third party entity to implement.

Israel would cease to exist as a pariah state in the Middle East that Muslims see as illegal and would be able to integrate itself within the region for increased stability and prosperity.

Israeli soldiers would be able to maintain a presence at key security locations (such as the Jordan River Valley) without being seen as occupiers and as part of a new national defense force incorporating Palestinians as well. The threat of a separate Palestinian Army would be removed from Israel's security concerns.

Natural resources such as water would be able to be shared for mutal benefit by both peoples.

A new national identity would emerge based upon two cultures and faiths that could serve as a model of tolerance and moderation in the region. Jerusalem would truly be a "beacon of light" to the world as promised in Biblical prophecy.

This is just a quick summary of an alternative idea for Middle East peace that I believe has merit and should be considered. The current two-state solution has only lead to more instability, violence and poverty for both Israelis and Palestinians and a new creative solution should be sought. As Jews, we should advocate and insist that any solution be based upon our religious and cultural values of democracy, tolerance and concern for the rights of others. The Republic of Jerusalem is one possibility that comes close to reestablishing the Promised Land of our spiritual ancestors.

Until next time....

Shmuel