A proposal that could work

Submitted by Michael S, Feb 17, 2017 at 01:30

Hello, Debanjan

The problem with the "One State Solution" is that even though the Arabs are, and will continue to be, a minority in Israel + Gaza + Judea & Samaria, they are a large enough a minority to wreak havoc on the democratic process -- much as Shas did at times, under Barak and Sharon. If Israel wants to have a one state solution, it will have to adapt a strong presidential system like the US, rather than the parliamentary system it has now. That way, the two main parties will both seek to form a consensus with Jews and Arabs alike, the way the Democrats and Republicans must do in the US.

Whatever Israel does, Tovey is right: It's the Jewish Israelis who need to decide, not the Russians, Americans, etc.

There are three main stakeholders in this enterprise: 1. Israel, 2. Jordan and 3. Egypt. All of them have had a considerable history in Mandate Palestine and the states that developed from it. Egypt and Jordan, also, both fully recognize Israel, and are not belligerent like the PLO and HAMAS. The so-called "Palestinians", namely, Arabs who speak the South Levantine dialects, are a majority in Jordan, and Jordan has nominal authority in the Al Aqsa Mosque. Jordan's king, meanwhile, is the only Arab monarch I know of, who is descended from Muhammed's family. Between him and the President of Egypt, the largest Arab country, they have more clout and cachet than anyone else, to work with Israel to govern the unruly Palestinian "rage-ocracy".

Whether these parties will ever agree with each other, is another matter.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".