Meteor Blades has requested of several I-P regulars, including myself, that we put forward what we think a reasonable peace might look like. His purpose is, I think, to demonstrate that most pro-Palestinian advocates have considerably more in common with most pro-Israel advocates on Daily Kos than one might think given the never-ending vitriol. I was foolish enough to agree to this request and below are a few of my thoughts on the matter. Pretty standard stuff, really. The two-state solution.
The West Bank:
Israel will remove itself from most of the West Bank in a one-to-one land-swap deal in which Jewish settlements near the Green Line will become incorporated into Israel. The so-called "security fence" shall be adjusted so that it is entirely on Israeli land. If, after a period of two to five years, Israel endures no terrorist activity out of that region, it will remove the fence entirely.
Jewish settlements within the newly created state of Palestine will remain intact, subject to Palestinian review and adjustments, and Palestine will consider its Jewish residents full citizens, with equal of rights under the law and full freedom of worship. Likewise, Israel shall remove any obstacles in law that prevents Arab-Israelis from enjoying full equality of citizenship, with the lone exception of "right of return." All Jewish-Palestinians will be afforded access to Israel, and all Palestinian-Israelis will be afforded access to Palestine, without undue restrictions, in perpetuity. Any Jewish-Palestinians who wish to migrate into Israel will be allowed to do so without restriction. Israel will provide initial housing for any such migrants from Palestine. The remaining Jewish settlements in Palestine will be opened to Arab residency without restriction.
A rail-line shall be constructed by the Palestinian and Israeli governments connecting Gaza to the West Bank. Israel will maintain the right to guard both sides of this line as a security measure.
The Golan Heights:
As a gesture of good-will, Israel shall return the Golan to Syria. Given Israel’s military superiority, it no longer needs the Golan to protect itself from potential hostilities.
East Jerusalem:
The state of Israel and the state of Palestine shall maintain joint sovereignty over East Jerusalem. This will allow Palestine to set up its capital in that city, if it chooses, while hindering neither Jewish, nor Muslim, religious practitioners from access to various "holy sites," such as the Western Wall for the Jews, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the Muslims. If such an arrangement proves unworkable, or if either side opposes such an arrangement, than the Arab majority sections of East Jerusalem shall be Palestinian while the Jewish majority sections shall remain Israeli. In that case, the UN will control the "holy sites" to ensure equal access to anyone who wishes to visit for any reason.
The Right of Return:
Israel shall grant limited "right of return" to any Palestinians who can demonstrate reasonable proof of residency on Israeli land prior to 1948. "Limited" shall be construed to mean that the Israeli government will reserve the right to decide just how many Palestinians will be afforded this privilege.
Security Measures:
United Nations forces will occupy a security zone bordering the two countries for a period of no less than ten years. After that period the UN, in consultation with the Israeli and Palestinian governments, will assess the necessity of maintaining its presence in order to preserve the peace.
Both governments will agree to prosecute and punish any individuals who plan, or commit, acts of violence against the citizenry of the other state, according to prosecutorial guidelines established by the UN in consultation with Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
For the first ten years of its existence Palestinian security will be provided by UN forces, both in the security zone, as well as within Palestine, proper. After that period, if Palestine has not shown itself aggressive toward the Jewish state, UN forces will commence a process of withdrawal and Palestine will be free to commence a UN guided process of militarization. After twenty years, if Palestine has still not shown aggression toward the Jewish state, it will be free to create its military free of restrictions and UN forces will completely depart.
Israel will agree to respect Palestinian sovereignty over its air-space.
The Blockade of Gaza:
Israel shall maintain the blockade of Gaza only so long as rocket fire continues into Israel from that region. As such rocket fire has significantly decreased, however, Israel’s blockade must also ease. Israel will commit itself to ending the blockade entirely contingent upon the cessation of attacks upon it. Israel shall, however, immediately begin the process of easing the blockade by allowing into Gaza any, and all, food and medical supplies, as well as the building materials needed for Gazan reconstruction.
Economic Development:
The United Nations shall, upon Palestinian approval, sponsor an economic development plan for Palestine in the spirit of the post-World War II "Marshall Plan." In order to successfully achieve an ongoing peace there must also be economic development in the state of Palestine. The United Nations will therefore spear-head a program in which any governments or corporations throughout the world may participate.
The purpose will be to create the material and economic infrastructure necessary for the emergence of a strong Palestinian middle-class.