Who's afraid of the One-State solution?
Olmert, for starters. A day after the theatrical display at Annapolis, the Israeli Prime Minister gave Haaretz a telling interview, in which he acknowledged in no uncertain terms Israel's Apartheid like nature:
"If the day comes when the two-state solution collapses, and we face a South African-style struggle for equal voting rights (also for the Palestinians in the territories), then, as soon as that happens, the State of Israel is finished."
Because heaven forbid Israel should have to face that struggle. Equal voting rights? Phshh. Why face a fight for equal voting rights when you can fight with Merkavas and F-16s; when you can sustain a decades long occupation of land, people, and resources and mask it with an empty and unrealistic call for two-states (see also his comments today: no firm timetable for peace talks, despite Annapolis) ?
His statement-similar to one he made in 2003 (back then he "shudder[ed] to think that liberal Jewish organizations that shouldered the burden of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa will lead the struggle against [Israel] ), is essentially an acknowledgment not only of the untenability (and the inequity) of the so-called two-state solution, and everything it entails (including sustaining a Jewish majority at the expense of the Palestinian population, no matter what the cost, i.e. ethnic cleansing) but also of the inevitability of a one-state solution.
Its just NOT clear to me why more media has not caught on to this stunning declaration. Maybe its easier to suspend reality for a while-a long while-in favor of an easier to digest fiction (well, easier for some people). That's one mushy piece of fiction.
posted by Laila @ Sunday, December 02, 2007
17 Comments:
Laila,
The American press is in denial, They do not want to criticize their child(Israel) but am surprised that the European media has not picked up on it.
what's wrong with two countries for two people of whom one of them is solely for one of them and the other is mixed with 20% of them as well?
Laila i would love if you could answer me a couple of questions.In this one state of yours how many Palestinians do you think would go back to the land of their grandparents has any study been carried out by a neutral group on the logistics of the actual return.I dont think you could describe Mr abut Sitta as neutral on the subject.I mean for example he wants up to a million people to return to the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas personally i cant see that happening without some sort of mass displacement of Israelis.I do accept the North of the country is a differnt situatuion there is room .Also how would you stop what is happening to the Ethnic Serbs of Kosovo who are being driven out of the Province by the Albanian Majority i think there is a lot of similarities with Israel/Palestine dont you.Then there is the Cultural differnces how in Tel Aviv every summer there is a big gay pride event would this still be allowed to take place in a majority Islamic State.I really do hope you find sometime to maybe answer my questions.Israeli in London
Laila
I just attended a conference here in London on the one-state project.
The most striking thing was the complete lack of participation of West Bank Palestinians. One Gazan was supposed to come but obviously couldn't. The crowd was: Arabs Palestinians from within Israel; Israeli fringe left, from Israel and self-imposed exiles; and Diaspora Palestinians (probably the largest group).
Since I belive that the one state is already here, has been here for the last 85 years (save 19 years between 48 and 67)and will be here for good, even if it is disguised as 'occupation' or even as Palestinian pseudo-independence in Ramalla, the political challenge that we (Israelis and Palestinians) face is the transformation of this state and making it a vehcile for reconcilation, equality, and dare I say, justice.
However, I believe the agents of change will not be the groups mentioned above, and of course not the Israeli State, or the Jewish-Israeli mainstream public, but rather the Palestinians under military occupation. As Olmert's comments reveal, through their potential claim for voting rights the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have enormous power which, it seems to me, they do not quite realize. From the West Bank's lack of representation in the London conference I gather that this possibility is still a political taboo; or perhaps people still cling to the idea of indepedence? For adopting the one-state involves giving up the dream of a purely Arab state of Palestine.
jerusalemmink.blogspot.com
YES! I saw that too and immediately jumped into print to our local paper (some good that will do) along the same lines.
From where I sit its very simple.
As with all international conflict the bottom line is social justice and human rights.
Perhaps it's about time Israel showed it's neighbors the same sort of compassion God once showed them?
Did you forget that Hamas has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel and to drive the Jews to the sea? Perhaps the media recognizes that the one state solution is no solution at all but just a preposterous idea that will never, ever have any chance. Israel exists, it is a Jewish state, and it will not negotiate itself out of existence. Get over it.
I understand Laila might not have enough time to an answer my question about the one state solution.It would be great if someone else might spare some time to answer them.Rattutu maybe
Palestinians I meet in Hebron and Bethlehem often say that they're willing to share the land of Israel-Palestine with Israelis on an equal basis in return for a peaceful life.
I suspect few would have got necessary papers to visit London for a conference on something which is against UK government policy.
Ok laila i assume its you who moderates the blog.Your silence and refusal to answer any questions i had about the one state solution makes me realise that this would mean disater for my people so thank you by not answering my questions u have told me everything i have needed to know
I'm amazed why there are so few Palestinians supporting the one-democratic-secular-state solution.
It makes the most sense, it is definitely the most economically-beneficial plan for Palestinians, and if presented correctly - can win over much Jewish support.
Challenge the mantra - which can be seen here in the comments - that Israel must remain a "Jewish" state. As Yossi Gurvitz pointed out recently in his blog, if by "Jewish" one means that Israel should unfairly and heavily discriminates in favor of one religion - Jews - that is unacceptable in any modern democracy.
But you can fully express your Jewishness in a secular state where government stays out of religion, but allows individuals and organizations to fully express their religion.
It is my estimation that most Israelis can continue to fully relish and enjoy their Jewishness - whatever that means - in a one-democratic-state, provided it's based on the American constitutional model, with some minor modifications (such as state-supported religious schools, etc.)
I'm still waiting for a Palestinian party, organization, or institution to come up with a draft of the constitution of the future one-democratic-secular state. Then we can start a converstaion.
Laila
People should become aware of this book.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Married-Another-Man-Israels-Palestine/dp/0745320651/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196978610&sr=8-1
I met the author Ghada at the same conference rattu talks about.
She is a very persuasive writer and she is an enormously effective speaker.
Good luck with your Christmas baby.
Salaam/Shalom,
I was born and educated in apartheid South Africa and now I have dual Israeli-South African citizenship. I have been living inb Israel for the the last 33 years. I have always fought racial descrimination in all its forms and colours and there are many aspects of racism in Israel that I find very disturbing and I battle with my conscience over that issue. The suffering of the Palestinian People is a terrible tragedy and is compounded by the occupation and the illegal settlers as well as the cruel road blocks and humiliating searches. In my latest blog article I have underlined these issues.
Personally, I have no problems with a one state solution as long as that state is secular and there is separation of synagogue, mosque, church and state. This state should be democratic and safeguard human rights for all including freedom of worship for all faiths. Naturally, this should be the desire of both Israelis and Palestinians in order that this should be an option. In the present climate it is doubtful if both Israelis and Palestinians would accept this. In my opinion it could solve many issues such as the right of return of refugees, Jerusalem as well as borders. These are the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Interesting blog. Keep up the good work.
I am so happy to have found your blog. I agree about Olmert's comments - he admits apartheid. Anyone with a commitment to justice, who isn't blinded by racism, has seen that plainly for decades.
I am disgusted but not surprised by the racist bile I just read thrown at you. Cowards, all of them. And bigots. I'll be reading.
Long live Palestine.
I think what many are not taking into account is Arabs, Jews and Christians alike lived together for generations.
It was a one state solution for generations.
When Olmert said ".....Israel is finished" he meant because then it would be more at the mercy of the Palestinians/MUSLIMS who would, with equal voting rights, MINIMIMIZE the Jews, in effect.....and thereby finishing off ISRAEL AS WE KNOW IT. OH YOU TWISTED THE MEANING THERE QUITE NICELY, MISS. BUT YOU WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH IT HERE.
Assalamualaikum
Dear Laila, I'm so happy to find this blog. I wish I found it earlier. I'm an Indonesian mom, writer, and blogger. Now I'm writing a book on Palestine. May we communicate each other by email? Please email me at: dina_rana@yahoo.com
Sincerely yours,
Dina
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