The Citizens Proposal for a Border between Israel and Palestine  is the result of efforts to envision a border that would respect equally the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. We also see the value of this border in providing a context for modifying some of the incongruous relationships, built over many decades, between Jews and Arabs. We see the opportunity to tap into the beauty that is both the people of Palestine and the people of Israel in a way that could generate tremendous dividends.

This website lays out one specific proposal for a border. We invite both Palestinians and Israelis to examine this proposal and to consider whether they would be satisfied that said border could represent them—in what they would wish for themselves and what they would be willing to give to the other side—or at least serve as a good basis for negotiation.   (continued)

POSITION STATEMENTS

Proposed Highway through the Jordan Valley Will Backfire on Israel

September 25, 2013

We have seen reports of a new proposed Israeli road from Gush Etzion to the Dead Sea. Though ostensibly meant to foster tourism, it would, if built, extend the web of settlements to bisect the future state of Palestine. Some regard it as such an affront to the peace process that it could derail the peace talks. 

Palestinians should keep a cool head. This road will be seen internationally as an egregious sign of Israeli bad faith that will only backfire on Israel. European pressure is already growing. This sort of action may even result in removing the American blanket of protection. 

In any final status agreement, this road will become part of Palestine. Any hotels and factories that might be built along it will be Palestinian hotels and factories. The road could become a golden goose for Palestine, providing a boon to Palestine's share of the tourist trade by providing a route from Bethlehem to the Dead Sea entirely within the future state of Palestine. In the future, the route could be a nexus of Palestinian-Israeli economic cooperation as tourism companies offer comprehensive travel packages through both countries. Imagine in the more distant future when cruise ships dock at an improved port of Gaza and buses bring their passengers down this road on excursions to the Dead Sea.

Nevertheless, the route also passes through a pristine wilderness area, and just as Israeli environmentalists are raising objections, we believe Palestinian environmentalists also should be given their say about whether the road is even built. Palestine, which hosts numerous World Heritage sites, has a growing sense of responsibility for the land as its patrimony.

We should not allow acts of greed and provocation to derail the peace talks. The road is not an obstacle to peace, but only a sign of Israel's lack of resolve to bring it to pass. The world will see it as such, and Israel will be the one to face the consequences.
 Picture
Example of dislocation when an Israeli highway runs through Palestinian land: the wall next to the highway bulges out to accommodate a settlement, taking over formerly Palestinian farmland. (Photo looking north from Nebi Samuel) 

Time for Netanyahu to Reach Across the Aisle

June 25, 2013

These days Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a man caught in the middle. He seems to have come around to the understanding that peace with the Palestinians is a necessity to preserve Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state. Yet he is beholden to the members of his own Likud party, which includes rightists like Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon. Danon recently stated on Israeli TV that there would never be a Palestinian state and that the Palestinians would be governed by Jordan. Since it is apparent Netanyahu cannot find enough support for peace negotiations from his own base, if he truly wishes for peace, he may have no choice but to reach across the aisle.
 Continued

Proposal on Governance of the Holy Basin

May 26, 2013

We of the Citizen's Proposal endorse the substance of Prime Minister Olmert's 2008 offer to set up an international trusteeship to govern the Holy Basin, which he advanced during his talks with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas. We consider that his offer, while seemingly a concession, actually provides the best way forward toward a shared future for the three Abrahamic Religions for the long term. We also believe that by sharing the burden and responsibility for protecting the Holy Sites, it will enhance Israel's security.

Our proposal for the Trusteeship Council that would govern the Holy Basin, which we understand initially to be the Old City and its 3 main holy sites, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Western Wall, and the al-Aqsa Mosque/Temple Mount, is as follows: 
  1. The Trusteeship Council would consist of 7 permanent members and 3 non-permanent members. The permanent members would be Israel (the Jewish nation), the US, England and Germany (Christian nations), and Palestine, Jordan and Saudi Arabia (Muslim nations).
  2. The 3 non-permanent members would serve for 3-year terms. They would be selected from the various regions of the world: 1) Europe/Eastern Europe/Russia; 2) the Americas; 3) Africa; 4) Asia/ Oceania on a rotating basis. 
  3. The 10 sitting members of the Trusteeship Council would elect a new non-permanent member each year. A nation is qualified to serve as a non-permanent member if it fulfills certain basic conditions: it does not support or engage in terrorism, it recognizes the legitimacy of Israel and Palestine as sovereign states and has diplomatic relations with both states, etc.
  4. The non-permanent members would have a vote on all matters of governance. But they would not have a vote on any constitutional matters that would change the procedure or scope of the Trusteeship's governing authority. Constitutional matters would be decided by a vote of the Permanent members.
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