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 “Jewish State” Law a Threat to Israel’s Democracy

May 3, 2014

In the recent failed peace talks, Netanyahu demanded that the Palestinians accept the novel idea that Israel is a “Jewish State.” Palestinians’ refusal to accept that idea was understandable: first, the PLO had already recognized Israel’s right to exist; second, Israel did not require that admission from other states with which it signed peace agreements, notably Egypt and Jordan; third and most importantly, the Palestinians did not wish to disress their brethren, the Israeli Arabs, who already suffered discrimination in Israeli society. Yet today, with the peace talks having failed, Netanyahu’s government intends to make this position the law of the land. The proposed law, announced on May 2, will codify the permanent discrimination against Israel’s sizable non-Jewish (Arab) minority, which constitutes 20 percent of the population.   

Israel, as a homeland for the Jewish people, has prided itself in its democratic values. Americans appreciate the democratic character of Israel; it is one reason why the United States has supported Israel through thick and thin; it has been a bastion of democracy in a historically undemocratic part of the world. Today we take it for granted that democratic states should provide for equal rights for all its citizens. But one does not have to look far to find democracies that legally and systematically denied a class of citizens those rights—the American South during the Jim Crow era, for example. The “Jewish State” law, which would legally and permanently disenfranchise Israel’s Arab minority, threatens to degrade Israeli society in just such a way.

Will Israel’s Arabs sit quiet and accept this new state of affairs? Will they accept their disenfranchisement lying down? Netanyahu built a wall to keep out the Palestinians, but what will he do if Israel’s own citizens begin an internal intifada? It could happen.

Eventually the United States rose above the traditions of hate and discrimination, though it took the Civil Rights movement to make it happen. It came about through the combined efforts of Americans, including many Jews. One was Andrew Goodman, murdered in Mississippi in 1964. Another was Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, an intellectual leader of American Jewry who marched arm and arm with Dr. Martin Luther King.

Jews are proud of their tradition of standing with the oppressed and fighting for justice; it is a tradition stemming from the biblical prophets of old. Israeli Jews must not forsake these values. At a time when the government of Israel is trying to legalize inequality, we would hope that freedom-loving Israelis will rise up in protest. In 1960s Jews and Blacks marched together for equality on the streets of Selma Alabama and gathered en masse for Martin Luther King’s March on Washington. Today, Jews and Arabs may have to march hand in hand for equality and democratic values on the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.   

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.

Palestinian Unity: Not a Deal-Breaker

May 3, 2014

The State Department is wise to be wary of a unity agreement between the Fatah and Hamas. The agreement does not, however, have to spell disaster. In time it may even strengthen the peace process by transforming Hamas from a militant threat to a responsible player in the diplomatic arena. (more)

A Proposal on the Issue of Palestinian Recognition of Israel as a Jewish State

Alison Wakelin
March 31, 2014

 It is strongly desirable that the long term goal of the current Israeli-Palestinian peace talks that are being mediated by Secretary of State Kerry is total reconciliation between the two peoples.

Restoration of Family Relationship

This will eventually restore their identity as siblings, children of Ishmael and Isaac, as would have existed within the family of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar before Hagar and Ishmael were banished. Over time, the family relationship will have opportunity to develop.

The Two State Solution

 Within this context, the Two State Solution is seen as a necessary step. It will give each side space for a necessary period of healing after long suffering and conflict. The world can recognize the need of the Jewish people, who have suffered for millennia as a persecuted minority, to have a state of their own. However, Israel can afford the Palestinians the rights and dignity of a state as well, and the two states can over time learn to live in peace with one another. This will provide the opportunity for reconciliation between the two peoples, who were set at enmity so many millennia ago by that act of banishment. 

To the Palestinian Negotiators

Since Mr. Netanyahu makes his demand that the Palestinians must recognize Israel as a Jewish state on the basis of the Jewish people’s historical claim on the land dating from biblical times, he has opened the door for Israel also having to take responsibility for the historical origins of the Jewish people in the family of Abraham and Sarah. Within that family, it was Abraham and Sarah who caused Hagar to become the mother of Abraham’s son Ishmael. Regardless of how the conflict between Sarah and Hagar developed to the point where Sarah demanded her banishment, together with her child Ishmael, we have to acknowledge that responsibility for that situation lay with both Matriarchs and with Abraham.  As this conflict occurred in the family that is at the root of Jewish history, it cannot be separated from Israel’s current claim to be a Jewish state.

Therefore, rather than reject Mr. Netanyahu’s demand outright, we propose that the Palestinian negotiators take the following position: “We recognize Israel as a state for the Jewish peoples that gives due consideration to all the children of Abraham.”

By taking that position, the Palestinians preserve their obligation to advocate for the rights of Arab Israelis and can hold Israel accountable. Furthermore, the phrase “due consideration” can become the basis for a final status agreement that provides some satisfaction to Palestinian refugees, both as regards financial compensation and also for Israel to possibly agree to take in a limited number of refugees for such purposes as reuniting families.  

To the Israeli Negotiators

It is proposed that Israel accept this position, if it is offered. It would satisfy the fundamental requirement that the Palestinians recognize Israel’s Jewish character and sovereignty. It would reassure Israel that the Palestinians have no intention to press their claims under the Right of Return to the point of overwhelming Israel with non-Jews. But at the same time it would reaffirm what Israel already requires of itself according to its own founding documents, that it is a democracy that provides equal rights for all its citizens, including its Arab minority.

Furthermore, down the road, Israel could request that the Palestinians accept symmetrical language that would oblige them to provide rights and protection for Jewish settlers who choose to remain in the future Palestine, thus: “We recognize Palestine as a state for the Palestinian people that gives due consideration to its Jewish minority.” 
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