A just settlement

It is with great hope that we receive the recent gesture by Arab states to renew their peace offer to Israel during the recent summit in Riyad and Ehud Olmert’s subsequent invitation to Arab leaders to a peace conference in which all parties can state their vision for peace. I think these gestures represent many if not all people on both sides of the divide and deserve all possible efforts to make them succeed.

The big stickler in the proposal presented by the Arab states is the requirement for a just settlement of the Palestinian refugee problem. Many Israelis might see in this a non-starter, hearing in “just settlement” something akin to an absolute right of return of every single Palestinian who claims that right. I sympathize with this concern. While a perfectly fair world would require such absolutes, I do not think a practical world can. Israel is a reality and another wrong today will not correct the wrongs of the past.

However, I do think that a just settlement can be had without the absolutes. Israelis must believe this and must engage the Palestinians in finding just such a settlement. They may be surprised at how receptive their counterparts will be.

Indeed, I do not think that today all the descendants of Palestinians forced to leave their homes in 1948 or anytime thereafter as a direct result of Israel’s creation or polices, will want to return. Many have established lives in their new countries and will not wish to return. However, a just settlement needs to consider a number of issues in order to win the acceptance of Palestinians in general, including:

1. Allowing for the return of at least some Palestinians to their original homes or the homes of their ancestors
2. Fair compensation for those who choose not to return
3. A just solution to refugees who still languish in camps in a number of Arab countries, including providing adequate alternatives to populations who have limited opportunity and are often discriminated against and unwelcome in their place of residence.

I envision an amicable solution which will be embraced by all parties will respect both Palestinians aspirations and needs as well as those of Israelis. I expect this would include:

1. Granting a limited number of Palestinians the option of returning to historic Palestine, whether Israel or in a new Palestinian state. Their return should be facilitated and encouraged in order to rehabilitate them in their ancestral homeland. When returning to Israel, all returnees should be required to respect the state of Israel and meet all fair requirements placed on them by this state.
2. Real estate property should be returned to their Palestinian owners who can show proof of ownership or to Palestinian funds which can ensure the property is used for the general wellfare of the Arab population and the general population of Israel/Palestine.
3. Israel should seek to rehabilitate traditional Arab population centers, cities and towns inside Israel.
4. Adequate compensation should be granted to all people who choose not to return to their ancestral home.
5. Property of Israelis who immigrated from Arab countries or their ancestors must be returned or adequate compensation made.
6. A certain number of Palestinian refugees who are not welcome to stay in their current countries of such as in Lebanon should be encouraged to accept immigrating to third countries (US, Canada, etc.).

The Origin of the Palestine-Israel Conflict

"The Palestinians have a real grievance: their homeland for over a thousand years was taken, without their consent and mostly by force, during the creation of the state of Israel. And all subsequent crimes—on both sides—inevitably follow from this original injustice."

This is how the paper The Origins of the Palestine-Israel Conflict published by Jews For Justice in the Middle East begins. The papers shatters many of the myths surrounding the issue and should be must reading for all those interested in the topic.

Actions have consequences

I usually argue that Israeli policy towards the Palestinian and its Arab neighbors tends to breed hate, and that a more positive attitude on Israel's part could be more conducive to making Israel safer in the region in the long run.

This view is not typically shared by Israelis. Why is that? Could it be because the mere idea that hate towards Jews can be a consequence of Israel's own actions appears to most Israelis as non-sensical and that this is largely due to the experience of the Holocaust? After all, European anti-semitism was not a product of Jewish action. Jews were hated regardless of what they did and they were despised and persecuted for simply being Jewish. Why should it not be any different when it comes to how the Arabs view Jews?

Of course, I would say it is very different and as a result, Israel must realize that its actions do indeed produce hate and could instead generate better relations. It will take time for sure, but it can happen. I think Lebanon is a very good example. I think Israel's recent war has done immeasurable damage to how Jews are viewed in Lebanon. Israel had been slowly fading as the menacing enemy in the Lebanese mind as people's priorities changed. A smaller and smaller group of Lebanese could be seen as die-hard haters of Israel. But now, following the recent war, its hard to see us going back to the way it was before years, making peace harder to achieve.

Sharing Ideas for Peace

I want to invite all Israelis and Lebanese who believe in peace in the region and are interested in sharing their thoughts on this blog to become members of this blog.