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.”