Har Homa C
August 9, 2011
The Israeli government’s reported approval of a permit to construct 930 apartments in land designated as Har Homa C [1] is contrary to the Citizens Proposal for a Border between Israel and Palestine, both in substance and in spirit. It is contrary to the substance of the proposal, because the allocated land is on the Palestinian side of the proposed border. It is contrary to the spirit of the proposal, which envisioned its proposed border by a process that sought to accommodate the needs of both parties fairly. Clearly in this case the Israeli government acted unilaterally, without consulting its Palestinian counterpart.
We understand that even though peace is a central desire of all citizens of the Middle East, people differ as to the form that peace might take. While we are disappointed in the decision made to authorize settlement building in Har Homa C, we also see that the issue can further be discussed between parties, and we ask each party to find the most constructive form of dialog.
Because we believe that the Citizen’s Proposal, on its merits, could become widely regarded as a basis for negotiating a final settlement, we see the possibility that Har Homa C will end up falling within the territory of Palestine. Therefore, we would ask Israel to ensure that its citizens know that they have no guarantee, if they settle in Har Homa C, that they will be able to continue through the generations as citizens of Israel. Those Jews who settle there must take ownership of their choice, which could very likely place them and their families within Palestine.
We wish to be fair to all sides. At a time when we believe that all sides should be making effort to secure a peaceful border between Palestine and Israel, Har Homa C sticks out like a sore thumb. Our border proposal includes a thumb-shaped area northeast of Pisgat Ze’ev designated as an international peace park. It is an offering to include the Divine.
We hope that those who are working for peace will stay on task and not be distracted by recriminations over this news. Instead, we would promote true fellowship between the people of Israel and Palestine, as this is vital for peace. Har Homa C falls in the area we have termed “the women’s border.”[2] We hope that Palestinian and Israeli women will assist in navigating the best outcome, so that whatever results, the children yet to be born who will live there can stand proudly on a legacy of peace.
We respect the citizens of Israel and Palestine who may be disappointed by this news, and as world citizens we too are disappointed, and saddened. Yet sadness can be a powerful driver, which we hope will motivate renewed calls for action, particularly among the women of Israel and Palestine who live near this part of the border. It is a densely populated area where there is a history of managing various ethnicities. We believe that better solutions can be found on the strength of the involvement of women.
For those outside of Israel and Palestine, we ask that women in Egypt signal, not only their sentiment, but also their commitment to finding meaningful border solutions. Their involvement will be vital for improving the situation of Gaza vis-à-vis Egypt in this ever-changing world.
If Har Homa C is built, we hope that it will become a place where any citizen of the Middle East may dwell in safety and security.
The Israeli government’s reported approval of a permit to construct 930 apartments in land designated as Har Homa C [1] is contrary to the Citizens Proposal for a Border between Israel and Palestine, both in substance and in spirit. It is contrary to the substance of the proposal, because the allocated land is on the Palestinian side of the proposed border. It is contrary to the spirit of the proposal, which envisioned its proposed border by a process that sought to accommodate the needs of both parties fairly. Clearly in this case the Israeli government acted unilaterally, without consulting its Palestinian counterpart.
We understand that even though peace is a central desire of all citizens of the Middle East, people differ as to the form that peace might take. While we are disappointed in the decision made to authorize settlement building in Har Homa C, we also see that the issue can further be discussed between parties, and we ask each party to find the most constructive form of dialog.
Because we believe that the Citizen’s Proposal, on its merits, could become widely regarded as a basis for negotiating a final settlement, we see the possibility that Har Homa C will end up falling within the territory of Palestine. Therefore, we would ask Israel to ensure that its citizens know that they have no guarantee, if they settle in Har Homa C, that they will be able to continue through the generations as citizens of Israel. Those Jews who settle there must take ownership of their choice, which could very likely place them and their families within Palestine.
We wish to be fair to all sides. At a time when we believe that all sides should be making effort to secure a peaceful border between Palestine and Israel, Har Homa C sticks out like a sore thumb. Our border proposal includes a thumb-shaped area northeast of Pisgat Ze’ev designated as an international peace park. It is an offering to include the Divine.
We hope that those who are working for peace will stay on task and not be distracted by recriminations over this news. Instead, we would promote true fellowship between the people of Israel and Palestine, as this is vital for peace. Har Homa C falls in the area we have termed “the women’s border.”[2] We hope that Palestinian and Israeli women will assist in navigating the best outcome, so that whatever results, the children yet to be born who will live there can stand proudly on a legacy of peace.
We respect the citizens of Israel and Palestine who may be disappointed by this news, and as world citizens we too are disappointed, and saddened. Yet sadness can be a powerful driver, which we hope will motivate renewed calls for action, particularly among the women of Israel and Palestine who live near this part of the border. It is a densely populated area where there is a history of managing various ethnicities. We believe that better solutions can be found on the strength of the involvement of women.
For those outside of Israel and Palestine, we ask that women in Egypt signal, not only their sentiment, but also their commitment to finding meaningful border solutions. Their involvement will be vital for improving the situation of Gaza vis-à-vis Egypt in this ever-changing world.
If Har Homa C is built, we hope that it will become a place where any citizen of the Middle East may dwell in safety and security.
[1] “US is ‘deeply concerned’ by new e. J’lem construction,” The Jerusalem Post, August 9, 2011, http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=233124
