Poisonshady313
Well-Known Member
Here's something I came up with in another forum.... my process for the creation of a Palestinian state.
Palestinian officials say the first order of business during the four-month talks is charting the borders of a future Palestinian state. An agreement on borders could lead to direct talks on the thorniest issues of the conflict, including the status of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees.
I disagree. I say the LAST order of business during the four-month talks is charting the borders of a future Palestinian state. These aren't "Palestinian State" talks... these are PEACE talks.
Peace first.
If there can't be peace without a state, they don't deserve to have a state. History has proven that the Palestinians can't be trusted to be peaceful even WITH a state (or examples of what might turn into a state) (see: Oslo accords) (See: Gaza)
Which is why my motto regarding this issue is: Peace first.
Here's the way it (the path to Palestinian statehood) should work:
The first step is to demonstrate an observable period of legitimate peace. After a minimum of two months, the plan may move on to step three. Step two should be happening concurrently with step one. Any violence at any point throughout this process (be it suicide bombing, rocket launching, or even stone throwing) resets the two month clock.
Second step: The governing body of the Palestinians reforms, formally recognizing, acknowledging and accepting the existence of the State of Israel as it is established by the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel, committing to a peaceful coexistence with all of its neighbors, and abolishing its old covenants and charters. We're talking about a Palestine that is going to become an independent state... not an anti-Israeli/anti-Jewish resistance movement. This step should occur without preconditions. The reason this is step two is because actions speak louder than words. Remember my motto: Peace first.
Even if a legitimate cessation of hostilities lasts indefinitely, without step two there can be no step three.
Third step: Israel recognizes this newly formed Palestinian leadership as an entity seeking to declare an independent state on land currently designated as disputed territory. The Palestinians have now become an entity dedicated to peaceful coexistence, and can be negotiated with regarding a permanent border between them and Israel.
Fourth step: Negotiations regarding matters besides national borders. Will Jews be permitted to legally reside in an independent Palestine as citizens with full rights like Arab Israelis? If not, then a Palestinian right of return to Israel should be out of the question. Other matters include, but are not limited to, how to handle Jewish holy sites in Palestine and Muslim holy sites in Israel.
Fifth step: Charting the borders of a future Palestinian state. This includes where it's capital will be, and what to do with settlements. Will some of them relocate to Israel? Will some of them remain as Jewish citizens of Palestine? Will some of the land be swapped so that some settlements in the disputed territories will be part of Israel, while the same amount of land that is currently part of Israel would become Palestinian land?
As far as I'm concerned, Gaza should be taken, entirely, by Israel. 2005-Present has shown that the lack of Israeli presence in Gaza is a failed experiment. They had a shot... they blew it. Let neither state be less than contiguous... let an independent Palestine exist without Gaza.
Sixth step: Declaration of a free and independent Palestine.
Palestinian officials say the first order of business during the four-month talks is charting the borders of a future Palestinian state. An agreement on borders could lead to direct talks on the thorniest issues of the conflict, including the status of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees.
I disagree. I say the LAST order of business during the four-month talks is charting the borders of a future Palestinian state. These aren't "Palestinian State" talks... these are PEACE talks.
Peace first.
If there can't be peace without a state, they don't deserve to have a state. History has proven that the Palestinians can't be trusted to be peaceful even WITH a state (or examples of what might turn into a state) (see: Oslo accords) (See: Gaza)
Which is why my motto regarding this issue is: Peace first.
Here's the way it (the path to Palestinian statehood) should work:
The first step is to demonstrate an observable period of legitimate peace. After a minimum of two months, the plan may move on to step three. Step two should be happening concurrently with step one. Any violence at any point throughout this process (be it suicide bombing, rocket launching, or even stone throwing) resets the two month clock.
Second step: The governing body of the Palestinians reforms, formally recognizing, acknowledging and accepting the existence of the State of Israel as it is established by the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel, committing to a peaceful coexistence with all of its neighbors, and abolishing its old covenants and charters. We're talking about a Palestine that is going to become an independent state... not an anti-Israeli/anti-Jewish resistance movement. This step should occur without preconditions. The reason this is step two is because actions speak louder than words. Remember my motto: Peace first.
Even if a legitimate cessation of hostilities lasts indefinitely, without step two there can be no step three.
Third step: Israel recognizes this newly formed Palestinian leadership as an entity seeking to declare an independent state on land currently designated as disputed territory. The Palestinians have now become an entity dedicated to peaceful coexistence, and can be negotiated with regarding a permanent border between them and Israel.
Fourth step: Negotiations regarding matters besides national borders. Will Jews be permitted to legally reside in an independent Palestine as citizens with full rights like Arab Israelis? If not, then a Palestinian right of return to Israel should be out of the question. Other matters include, but are not limited to, how to handle Jewish holy sites in Palestine and Muslim holy sites in Israel.
Fifth step: Charting the borders of a future Palestinian state. This includes where it's capital will be, and what to do with settlements. Will some of them relocate to Israel? Will some of them remain as Jewish citizens of Palestine? Will some of the land be swapped so that some settlements in the disputed territories will be part of Israel, while the same amount of land that is currently part of Israel would become Palestinian land?
As far as I'm concerned, Gaza should be taken, entirely, by Israel. 2005-Present has shown that the lack of Israeli presence in Gaza is a failed experiment. They had a shot... they blew it. Let neither state be less than contiguous... let an independent Palestine exist without Gaza.
Sixth step: Declaration of a free and independent Palestine.
