Can Palestinians Recognize Israel’s “Jewish Character”?

September 23, 2011
In an effort to overcome the hurdle of Israel’s requirement that Palestine recognize Israel as a Jewish State as a precondition to negotiations, we see that American mediators are suggesting a softer approach:

                        The Palestinians would have to recognize Israel’s Jewish character if they were to reach a deal quickly, officials 
                        close to the talks said. [1]  

Noting Israel’s characteristics and qualities, the Jewish character of the State of Israel would seem to be a fact of life, not requiring manifold and/or tortuous efforts at definition that, as we have seen, would be necessary to clarify the issues around Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.

In this regard, it should not be necessary for anyone to ask Israel for a clarification of what it may mean when it claims to have “a Jewish character.” It is something we can see and choose to appreciate, or not.

Having a Jewish character does not carry with it implications one way or the other about Israel’s constitution or basic law, nor does it carry with it any comment on its decisions regarding privileging its Jewish citizens or its non-Jewish citizens.

Importantly, recognizing Israel as having a Jewish character does not imply that the treaty establishing the two states should say anything one way or another about the Palestinians’ demand for a right of return. Instead, it leaves room for movement.

While it may support Israel to retain a Jewish majority, it matters not for the Jewish character of Israel per se whether its population is 76 percent Jews (as it is currently), or 56 percent Jews, or 96 percent Jews. The character of a nation is not governed by demography. It is a reality that stems from the character of its people, their history, and the culture they create.

We believe Israel will continue to strive for a pluralistic society, nation and state, because pluralism is deeply embedded within the Jewish character. We also affirm Israel’s willingness to participate productively in the region, along with all other member states and Palestine, because a sense of responsibility to benefit the wider humanity also is deeply embedded within the Jewish character.

Affirmation of the other’s character is part and parcel of good relations between states. It forms the basis for educating future citizens to live as good neighbors. Within reason then, agreeing to recognize Israel as having Jewish character is a good place to begin, even if it arises from a compromise in negotiations.

If the Palestinians will agree to this, it will be in the spirit of negotiation and working toward good neighborliness. Understandably it may be a bitter pill for them, given the current realities on the ground—a conflict that all want to move away from.

For Israel, while recognizing two states for two peoples may be a lesser form of acceptance, we believe it is appropriate for the Palestinians to affirm Israel’s Jewish character. Israel’s willingness to make this compromise is commendable.

Thus, we hope that Palestinians will give on recognition of Israel’s Jewish character. We also hope that they will accept a timetable, as was suggested by French president Sarkozy and now is being presented by the entire Quartet, in lieu of any demands over settlements. We see reasonable evidence that such a timetable could produce a state acceptable to both parties, and so we encourage it.

[1] Associated Press, “Obama to meet Abbas as US, allies modify plan to avert crisis over Palestinian statehood,” Washington Post, September 20, 2011.http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/obama-to-meet-abbas-as-us-allies-modify-plan-to-avert-crisis-over-palestinian-statehood/2011/09/20/gIQAWdHMjK_story.html