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One State Plan
Annex West Bank, Regional
Representation, and Citizenship
Michael
L. Wise
Fall 2003
mike@actionwise.com
Israel
must resolve the status of the West Bank.
Previous
proposals to resolve the status of the West Bank have failed.
Terrorism and its leaders will flourish and attract followers if the
State of Israel continues to pursue short-term solutions. Israel can no longer permit the West Bank Arab population to remain in an indeterminate ill-defined status. A clear, well-defined and permanent solution
must be implemented. Efforts to destroy the terrorist infrastructures on
the West Bank should continue, but they do not solve the underlying
problems.
Destroying
the terrorist infrastructure may create temporary lulls in the ongoing
violence. But, new terrorists will
appear as a consequence of the perceived plight, condition and state of limbo
represented by the status quo in the West Bank.
West Bank Arabs in the prevailing circumstances will continue to
struggle against what they perceive to be an occupation force. It is unrealistic to expect that West Bank Arabs will tolerate, coexist or condone a situation in which they
are indefinitely treated as stateless persons.
A people in a state of limbo, without passports, limited rights and
subject to a strict police force will be receptive to demagogic, brutal and
corrupt leadership. The PLO/PA, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, whose primary purpose
is Israel’s destruction, have captured the loyalties of the West Bank Arabs.
The
status quo on the West Bank is bitterly opposed by serious minded persons across the
Israel political spectrum, West Bank Arabs and the international
community. Even Prime Minister Sharon
acknowledged that there has been a state of
“occupation” of the West Bank for 36 years and concludes that it is
unacceptable. On May 26, 2003, he said, "You
cannot like the word, but what is happening is an occupation -- to hold 3.5
million (sic) Palestinians under occupation I believe that is a terrible thing
for Israel and for the Palestinians."
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the PM's formulation, no public
relations can possibly justify even a benevolent presence on the West Bank by Israeli
forces. No matter how violent and irrational the behavior of West Bank Arabs,
criticism of an occupied people will never be generally accepted.
Mrs. Tony Blair has said, "As long as young people feel they have got no
hope but to blow themselves up you are never going to make progress." Ted
Turner has made this predicament crystal clear and said, "The Palestinians
are fighting with human suicide bombers; that's all they have. The Israelis ...
they've got one of the most powerful military machines in the world. The
Palestinians have nothing. So who are the terrorists? I would make the case
that both sides are involved in terrorism."
In the face of massive
internal and external pressure, the Israeli government has elected to submit
(in spite of Sharon’s often muted 14 conditions) to “quartet” pressure and
pursue an alternative road map to Oslo.
The “Road Map” was proposed as a way to end the “occupation” and as a
way out of the current dead end. In
view of the ongoing and prospective failure of the Roadmap, other solutions have
surfaced.
The architects of the Oslo
Accord have published the Geneva Accord, a
“Draft Permanent Status Agreement”, more terrifying version of the
two-state solution than offered by the Oslo Accord. As discussed below a two-state
solution will inevitably lead to a major and tragic war between Israel and its
neighbors.
Other proposals to deal
with West Bank Arabs have suggested severe punishment and/or transfer of
the terrorists to unspecified locations. MK Eliezer Cohen (Yisrael Beiteinu)
said, "This is war, not just terrorism, and we must fight back
accordingly. They are fighting us with all of their resources and weaponry, and
we must do the same. Our army knows exactly what to do, and it is time to do
it."
The
Elon Peace Plan puts Israel in the unrealistic position of changing the nature
of its Jordanian neighbor. The Plan
states, “Jordan is Palestine. The Arab residents of
Judea and Samaria can be transferred, without removing them from their homes.
They will be granted citizenship in the Palestinian Arab state with Amman as
their capital.” Unfortunately, though
the Hashemite family that rules Jordan may be displaced in the future,
it is not realistic to suggest that Israel can intercede now to implement such
a transition.
Among
other things the Elon Plan proposes:
1.
Acceptance
of two countries for two people on two sides of the Jordan. The
Jordanian/Palestinian state with Amman as its capital, and the Jewish state
with Jerusalem as its capital.
2.
Arabs
remaining in Judea, Samaria & Gaza will become citizens of the
Jordanian/Palestinian state. Arab Palestinians holding Israeli citizenship will
be offered alternate citizenship in the Jordanian/Palestinian state
3.
If
the Arabs of Judea, Samaria & Gaza breach the terms of this plan, they will
be expelled to their state on the other side of the Jordan River.
These
proposals to resolve the current state of limbo have fatal flaws. A two-state solution will create an entity
that is dedicated to the destruction of Israel and enable that state to prepare
for and commit violence. It will
underwrite and support terrorism, lead to another war of attrition and finally
to a major regional conflict. Moderate West Bank Arabs cannot displace
terrorists who will claim credit for the establishment of the new independent
state. The ultimate consequences will
be exceptional violence and a demoralization and/or destruction of the State of
Israel.
No
Arab organization or leader, even those who profess to recognize Israel’s right
to exist, has ever fully recognized the right of a Jewish State to exist
anywhere west of the Jordan River. In
today’s world it is highly unlikely that such an Arab organization or
commitment will emerge.
There
is a need for a reasonable alternative fully under the internal control of the
State of Israel and I propose that:
A.
Israel
formally annex the territory west of the Jordan River exclusive of Gaza, and
make it an integral and irreversible part of Israel.
B.
Arab
residents be offered the options described below to become citizens of Israel.
ANNEXATION
Annexation
will provide a clear and well-defined status for West Bank Arabs. At the time of Annexation, the PA will no
longer have a reason to exist and it and all terrorist infrastructures will be
outlawed and dismantled. The PA and other terrorist organizations will be
subject to Israel law and be dealt with in the same manner that all countries
deal with internal subversive, treasonous and criminal organizations.
Israel would no longer police the West Bank as an “occupation force”. It is important to understand that after
Annexation, Israel will have significantly greater flexibility in dealing with
issues and problems on the West Bank. Those problems will all be viewed as internal
problems of the State of Israel and not problems subject to constant
international scrutiny by those who view the West Bank as “occupied” territory.
For
many historical and other reasons, Gaza is explicitly excluded from Annexation
and Israel should immediately withdraw from Gaza in an orderly manner. The Gaza border would continue to be well
defined and well protected. Possible alternatives for Gaza include a status as
an international free-trade zone and/or, annexation by Egypt, creation of an
independent and expanded entity with the cooperation of Egypt and the addition
of part of the Sinai, or ultimately becoming an added region of Israel.
A
group of experts will analyze issues relating to Gaza separately.
ISRAELI
CITIZENSHIP
It
is essential that the process and strategy of offering Israeli citizenship to
West Bank Arabs must be very carefully planned, including its timing,
demographic, geographic, historical and social factors. Citizenship will
include all the benefits currently available to the citizens of Israel
including: health care, education, welfare, economic incentives, employment,
social safety nets, voting rights and others.
The responsibilities of citizenship will include a public oath of
loyalty to the State of Israel. The
procedures and the details of the citizenship offer will be determined as an internal
matter by the State of Israel. Each country determines its own citizenship
rules and there are many models ranging from extremes like Switzerland where
citizenship is often not granted for several generations, and the extremely
restrictive standards set by Islamic
States to the more liberal standards applied by other countries. Since the
process will be phased in over time, the possibility to adjust the procedures
appropriately will be available as
circumstances require.
The
key element is clear. The question of how to deal with the West Bank population will be converted to an internal Israeli matter and not the subject of
global concern of “do-gooders” protecting an “occupied” population. From a
humanitarian perspective, social services available to the West Bank
population will meet the highest global standards.
1.
Swear a public oath of loyalty to the
State of Israel and remain as non-citizen residents with limited rights.
2.
Those who do not commit to abide by
the laws of Israel, must leave for Gaza, Jordan or to other Arab countries.
900,000 Jews left those countries since 1948[1]
(often with only the shirts on their backs).
Israel cannot and should not tolerate persons who will not commit to
abide by its laws.
As
the irreversible nature of Annexation is made clear to West Bank residents, persons with vested interests in land, businesses, homes and
families will probably seek Israeli citizenship instead of facing the
consequences of lesser rights or expulsion.
Those with little or no vested interest will have to make a decision to
accept the above choices or the following option. The active participation of Israel and other countries to provide
a one-time subsidy of $5,000 per person who decides to live elsewhere will be
made available. This sum is well within the budgets currently available for
short term solutions or “fixes’ currently being pursued. For example, the
anti-terrorist barrier at a estimated cost of $1.5 billion equals the cost of payments to 300,000 men,
women and children. A “refugee’ family of ten would receive $50,000. A possibly irresistable offer! This offer is
only sensible as part of the broader framework proposed herin.
It
is reasonable to presume that given the choice of Israeli citizenship, many West Bank Arabs will choose life, peace
and the pursuit of happiness that citizenship provides. In the current environment, with no
alternatives other than those offered by brutal and violent organizations
including the PA, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Fatah, Tanzim etc., it is not
surprising that West Bank Arabs appear to support violence and terror.
HISTORY
It
is not too late to undo past blunders. In 1948, after the Arab world’s
rejection of the UN partition Plan of November 1947, the West Bank was occupied
by Transjordan. In a unilateral
decision of the Jordanian Parliament in April 1950, East Jerusalem and the West Bank were joined with Transjordan to form the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Except for the United Kingdom and Pakistan,
the world did not recognize that annexation.
Other
Arab countries have not relinquished their claims to the West Bank and
Jerusalem. In 1967, after the Six Day
War, Israel expanded and annexed the municipality of Jerusalem, but did not
deal with the status of the West Bank. Arabs
living there were left in a state of limbo that has become fertile ground for
terrorists who continue to seek Israel’s destruction.
THE
BENEFITS of ANNEXATION
An
important collateral benefit to Annexation will be a reversal of the trend of
many Israeli Arabs who are beginning to display serious signs of
disloyalty. It is not surprising that
Israeli Arabs faced with the apparent inevitability of a terrorist Palestinian
state have severe concerns that they will ultimately be branded as traitors or
collaborators with the hated Zionist enemy.
Those concerns weigh heavily on them and strongly influence how they
conduct themselves as Israeli citizens.
Similarly, after it became clear that there was a probability that the
status of Jerusalem was subject to negotiation, the attitude and conduct of its
Arab population underwent a dramatic change.
That change was created by the serious concern about the ultimate status
of Jerusalem’s Arab population and how a future terrorist state would reward
their cooperation with the Zionists.
If
properly planned, a consequence of Annexation, similar to the consequences of
every aliyah in Israeli history, is that an expanded Israeli population will
spur economic growth. In addition to
the historical expansion factors associated with immigration, it is reasonable
that partnerships with Arab citizens will eventually help Israel become a major
economic and political player in the Middle East. Every wave of immigration to Israel caused internal concern. However, eventually, all immigrant groups
contributed in various ways to Israel’s strength and success.
OBJECTIONS
& CONCERNS
1.
Demographic: Arab fertility rates are high
and some predict that in the near future there will a Jewish minority west of
the Jordan River.
2.
Political: Israel’s political parties are concerned that they each will lose its
power base.
3.
Global reaction: The world will object to
Israel solving its problems unilaterally.
The idea of a Palestinian state, envisioned by the authors of the Road
Map, implacable foes as well as friends of Israel, and those who have not given
up on the Oslo Accords, has not been abandoned.
4.
Jewish State: How can Israel preserve itself as a Jewish State? (slight variant of
objection 1)
The
details of Annexation and implementation of the citizenship plan must be
carefully designed to assuage these and other concerns. Issues to consider
include:
i. The
rights to Israeli citizenship, including voting, would be phased-in up to a
period of 15 to 20 years.
ii. Citizenship rights would be
phased-in with appropriate guidelines and qualifications including age, place
of birth, place of birth of parents or grandparents, education, employment,
criminal record, health record, village or city of residency and other metrics
or standards.
iii. Citizenship
and its attendant rights and privileges must be implemented with financial and
operational cooperation of international organizations.
There
are currently about 5.5 million non-Arabs in Israel, 1.1 million Israeli Arabs,
and a maximum of 2.1 million Arabs on the West Bank.
If two-thirds (2/3) of the West Bank Arabs become eligible for the new
citizenship status and one-third (1/3) opt for residency status, there would
initially be a maximum of 2.5 million Arab citizens out of a total population
of 8.7 million. (Note that the
citizenship will not be granted
overnight and will be closely monitored over time). Jews have prospered
over the centuries under much more difficult numerical relationships in
environments that they did NOT control. These numbers are based on the best
current estimates and do not include future fertility, morbidity or
emigration/immigration factors.
Historically, fertility has been almost impossible
to predict, especially in the current volatile local and global
environment. Indeed, in the last 5
years, two of the most startling declines in fertility have occurred in Egypt
and Iran. As modernization and
westernization is introduced into the West Bank, fertility will plummet. Other significant factors and unanticipated
events will inevitably impact the relative growth of populations in a rapidly
changing world.
Since
the establishment of the State of Israel 1948 and before, all demographic
calculations and forecasts of the disappearance of Israel or of the
impossibility of a Jewish majority in a Jewish homeland have been mistaken.
Immigration of Jews from Arab lands and Russia, and other unexpected
demographic factors were not foreseen.
There is no reason to rely on unreliable fertility forecasts as the
prime factor to reject a sane solution to the current intolerable
situation. If Annexation is not
pursued, the combination of an external and
internal enemy population reproducing for the sole purpose of destroying
the State of Israel is not difficult to foresee. After Annexation, as an
internal matter, government policies and incentives can be employed to
encourage normal fertility.
In
October 2003, Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia demonstrated a
very profound understanding of demographics. He claimed that "Jews rule
the world by proxy" and "get others to fight and die for them."
He also said that Jews "invented socialism, communism, human rights and
democracy" to avoid persecution and gain control of the most powerful
countries. Mahathir said, "1.3 billion Muslims cannot be defeated by a few
million Jews...because we are discouraged from learning of science and
mathematics as giving us no merit for the afterlife, today we have no capacity
to produce our own weapons for our defense. We have to buy our weapons from our
detractors and enemies." The Prime
Minister understands that raw numbers of people is only one element in
analyzing populations and societal trends.
Demographics
is a very complex issue and its meaningful study does not lie solely in
counting people. One of the more unbalanced demographic situations in the
Middle East exists in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. More that 75% of its
population claims to be "Palestinian". No one knows if or when the
ruling minority will be overthrown and when Jordan will be established as a
Palestinian State occupying the East Bank of the Jordan River. However, it is
not unreasonable to presume that after Annexation, Palestinians will understand
that if there is to be a Palestinian State it will be on the East Bank and not
the West Bank of the Jordan River. The impact of a Jordan/Palestinian
State on the entire question of citizenship and demographics will be
very significant. It would be irresponsible for Israel to make any agreements
in today's environment that would impact the possibility of a genuine two-state
solution: a Jewish State on the West Bank and a Moslem State on the East Bank.
Nonetheless,
the question of one man one vote must be addressed. After all, Israel is and
will remain a bonafide member of the world’s representative democratic states,
irrespective of the ultimate
composition of Israel’s citizenship population. The following discussion
addresses an answer to the question: How can Israel remain both a democracy and
a Jewish State?
ONE
or TWO CHAMBER KNESSET?
The
United States has the world’s longest lasting and vibrant representative
democratic forms of government that protects the inalienable rights of
individuals and minorities. The approval of both houses of Congress, the House
of Representatives and the Senate is required for all legislation and
expenditures. Each of the 50 states elects two members to the Senate and a
number of House Representatives based of its population. For example, the states of Rhode Island with
one sixtieth the population of the state of California and the state of
California, both send two Senators to Washington. Additionally, the President of the US is elected by the electoral
college. As we all remember, Gore received almost a million more votes than
President Bush, but was finally defeated.
Most
functions of government are the responsibility of local and state governments.
Broader responsibilities including defense, international dealings etc. are
handled by the central government in Washington. Disputes between states are
resolved by the Supreme Court. Each city, county and state has a lightly armed
police force to preserve law and order.
Israel
should create a similar governing structure. An upper and lower House of the
Knesset, each consisting of 60 members, should be created. Israel should be divided into 15 districts,
three of which should contain predominately Moslem populations. Each district would send 4 MKs to the upper
house of the Knesset and based on population considerations an appropriate
number of MKs to the lower house of Knesset. The Prime Minister should be
elected by the majority of the MKs.
Another
option is that the Knesset remain with one House but that its MKs be elected as
described above. For example, let us consider a situation where Israel’s voter
population becomes 60% Moslem and 40% Jews and all voters vote strictly based
on the religion of the candidates. The
regions would elect 48 Jewish and 12 Moslem MKs. The proportional elections
would elect 36 Moslem and 24 Jewish
MKs. Net results: 72 Jewish and 48 Moslem MKs. it is far from clear that all
issues before the Knesset would be decided on purely Jew vs. Moslem grounds.
Other ideological aspects would often be asserted.
With
respect to day-to-day matters, the local councils or boards would have full
responsibility, all within the national framework. For example, educational
standards would be centrally legislated but would be locally administered.
The
above structure, for the very long term will preserve the Jewish nature of
Israel, provide full rights and local governance for non-Jewish populations and
allow everyone to become a productive member of society.
THE JEWISH STATE
The Law of Return to
the Jewish State will remain unchanged and available only to Jews. Arabs are or should be welcome and free to
live in any of 22 Arab countries, just as Jews are welcome and free to live in
one small Jewish country. As determined by an appropriate panel, other defining
characteristics of a Jewish State would be made the subject of irrevocable
structural laws of the State of Israel prior to Annexation.
Israel
should be spending resources on developing and rebuilding the West Bank social
infrastructure, instead of building fences and amassing weapons. Nations with a vested interest in a peaceful
resolution to the current conflict will be invited to participate in the
development of a prosperous and advanced West Bank society that will engage in
science, trade, and commerce and become a source and spur to regional
prosperity.
TIMING
OF ANNEXATION
Expeditious
implementation of Annexation is essential. The following (not necessarily in
order of importance) could create significant additional pressures on Israel
and make the decision of Annexation more difficult:
1.
The
global situation is rapidly deteriorating. Political, financial, and social
crises exist worldwide.
2.
The
risk of Bush losing the November 2004 US election. Even a Bush reelection does
not assure continuing American support. And the apres Bush?
3.
Growing
political influence of the Euro/Russian alliance inimical to Israel’s
interests.
4.
A
rising anti-Israel anti-Zionist and-Jewish sentiment because of the
“occupation”.
5.
Global
terrorism and its impact.
6.
Mounting
internal economic, political and social pressures in Israel resulting
from limbo status.
7.
Israel
is being position as an Apartheid occupier and is being summoned to World
Courts and other forums in a manner reminiscient of South Africa.
The
opportunity to remove the terrorist leadership and to simultaneously offer a
normalized environment for West Bank Arabs is available. If Israel does not act now and proceeds to
facilitate an interim two-state solution, there is little doubt that it will
have to fight a major war with the new terrorist state and its treaty
partners. After the next war,
Annexation will appear even more attractive, but why not act now and avoid the
suffering and the tragedies of another war?
Israel must move forward now with Annexation, a fair and just solution,
before it loses another opportunity.
Annexation
is only a matter of time. It will take place either:
1.
Now
in a reasoned, planned, systematic manner,
2.
After
one or more mega terror attacks on Israel, or
3.
After
the creation of a new terrorist state leads to a major regional conflict.
Some Source
Documents
Sample
annexation resolution: Annexation of Hawaii- 1898
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1898hawaii1.html
The Balfour Declaration - November
1917
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/mideast/balfour.htm
The Palestine Mandate - July 24, 1922
Counsel of the League of Nations
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/mideast/palmanda.htm
UN Plan of Partition with Economic
Union - November 29, 1947
http://www.mfa.gov.jo/pages.php?menu_id=168
[1] House of Representatives
Resolution 311 calls for the international community to recognize the plight of
900,000 Jewish refugees expelled from Arab countries. It also calls on UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency)
to establish a program for resettling the Palestinian refugees that have been
shamefully exploited by the Arab world.
UNWRA currently funds their continued cruel existence in camps for
political ends.
http://www.jcrcboston.org/update/legislative.html#text