To celebrate Israel’s anniversary or mourn Palestinians’ Nakba? Unable to recognize the gravity of this mortal dichotomy, the world could accelerate into Armageddon, with enough ignorant cheerleaders everywhere. In this seemingly hopeless situation, I, an eternally hopeful Palestinian American from Jaffa, offer this plan.

Israelis and Palestinians have equal existential, historical and passionate claims to the Holy Land. European Jews suffered mercilessly in the first half of the twentieth century, Palestinians in the second half. Today, the world’s divided into three groups: one roots for Israel and its victims, one wrings their hands over the fate of Palestinians, the third doesn’t know what’s right or wrong any more. No solution can last if it’s at the expense of either people.

Ergo, new ideas are needed—ones that are win-win for both.

These are the same for both people: security, freedom, viable state, hope and future—a mirror image—all based on the best of human endeavor, law, human rights, and mutual respect.
A clear solution emerges: within five years, two states living peacefully side by side in a region where peace, held by mutual trade and survival, reigns.

It takes three phases:

I. Reconstruction: to augur a new beginning.

--Credibly separate the two sides and announce this plan and a major investment in peacemaking. In Israel, hold free elections on the heels of this announcement.

--Build new homes in Israel for Israelis now living in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan, and new homes in Palestine for Palestinian refugees now in Lebanon, Syria etc.

--In Palestine, plan and hold free elections, with International assistance, for a transitional government to develop a new Constitution, Civil and Criminal Laws, Government and Civil Institutions of a free society. Rebuild Palestinian civil and government institutions and infrastructures recently destroyed.

--Plan Israeli settlers’ evacuation and Palestinian refugees’ return or compensation, and assistance with resettlement.

--Develop post-terrorism and postwar strategies, including Peace and Reconciliation studies in Schools, Universities, Clubs and Institutions in both Societies, as well as trade, sports and tourism.
These will catalyze jobs, cooperation and peace initiatives.

II. Peace Foundation:

--Repatriate Israelis from the settlements and East Jerusalem into new homes in Israel.

--Offer refugees from neighboring countries repatriation into West Bank and new towns and settle Palestinian refugees’ right of return or compensation.

--Hold Palestinian elections for a post-transition government.

--Normalize relations between Arab Countries and Israel. Develop strategies for a “Middle East Economic Community” (MEEC), similar to the European Economic Community. Develop Peace Networks, Sports and Educational Exchange programs.

III. Peace:

--Build post-terrorism and postwar economies: Expand joint tourism, build water networks from Turkey, Iraq and the Nile and gas networks from the Gulf, to supply the whole region.
--Develop agribusiness for European, African and Gulf markets.
--Implement the MEEC and link it to the European Union and Favored Nation Treaty with the US.
Implement Peace Networks and Educational Exchange programs. Demilitarize the region.

Who will pay for this? The powers that contributed to these two 20th century catastrophes should fund, guide and staff its solution: Germany for creating the massive Jewish problem, Great Britain for initiating the conflict, the United States for exacerbating it, the UN for extending it, Israel for its debt to displaced Palestinians, Palestinians in the diaspora and Arab Countries for their share.
Peace will last only if those involved are held accountable for their crimes; or, using the South African model, complete reconciliation: a choice of one or the other but not both. I favor the second to take the venom out.
 
After a generation or two when both people learn to live together, a United States of the Holy Land may emerge, where Abraham’s grandchildren will be whole; with one person one vote; separation of Church, Synagogue and Mosque from State; dignity, opportunity and freedom for all.