Month: December 2023

The Three-State Solution

Posted on by josuter

With the war in Gaza having no solution in sight, we are laying the ground for another decade of conflict in the Middle East.  At time of Joshua, nearly 2500 years ago, tribes were probably several hundred people living off the land. Stories about victories and “vanquishing” other tribes should be taken with a grain of salt since there are later references of doing business with these same tribes.  

Things change.  Jerusalem is now the center of three major religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.  Why consider only a one-state or two-state solution?  It should be three states.  Look at the map and draw three radial lines from Jerusalem.  This creates an opportunity to regain stability in the region.  Who would enforce such an arrangement?  The same entities that would enforce a one or two-state solution, i.e. neighboring states and the international community.  

What if there is resistance?  Then nibble at the edges of present-day Israel at any point along the border.  Push in and take one square mile.  Make it an interlocking border, occupied not only by neighboring states, but any state who wants to help.  Insert a small but significant number of legislators into the neighbor’s parliament to decrease any moves toward hostility.  

Will these three entities be three separate nations, or three states within one nation?  If there is one larger nation, Israel could be responsible for the military to protect borders but there could still be independent local police. The constitution can be written to allow removal of any politician by 80% of a minority vote or 60% of a general vote, making leaders more accountable to all.  The structure of Democracy does not have to be static.

Sibling rivalries can be very destructive.  In the case of Abraham’s grandsons Jacob (Israel) and Esau this was also true.  But why burden our children with our fear and hatred that we have carried for more than 2500 years?  A continuing war in Gaza condemns them to do so.  Humans who continue to fight wars that might easily be avoided will never explore what lies ahead.  We will never explore the vast regions of space, the mountains or the oceans, the arts and sciences.  

People need space.  They also need good neighbors.  In the Old Testament and what the West refer to as “developing countries” there are extended families and tribal elders to keep the peace.  They push the parties to make decisions.  One can start anywhere with local Elders of mixed faith and explore some solutions.  Expand to include all ages and push good ideas toward Israel.  

The United Nations, a secular organization, seems paralyzed in a conflict that has religious roots. Yet individual countries can line up to put pressure on the combatants to find a solution.  If the story of G is still being written, we are writing it.  We must push Jews and Palestinians to make decisions, even small ones, to keep them on a constructive path.  

The Magic of Majority – A Solution for Israel

Posted on by josuter

  December 15, 2023

   By Josuter 

It seems that people the world over have struggled for centuries to be heard.  A new form of government was hammered out over those centuries with many battles, but it proved to be a better form of government in most situations.  The basis of this new government structure was one-person-one-vote.  Sounds simple enough, and it sounds fair.  Whoever gets a majority wins.  

This is unsettling for Israel.  If they allow Palestinians a vote, then in the places where the Palestinians outnumber the Jews, the Palestinians might take top positions in government.  That could be fatal for the vision of Israel as a Jewish state.

The concept of majority is about the feeling of fairness, primarily the feeling of fairness in the people with pitchforks and weapons ready to fight.  If the opponent has more people than we do, maybe we should just go home and call it a day.  

That was Democracy 101.  A type of one-state solution may be better than a two-state solution in the short run, allowing Palestinians to live freely in Israel but not allow Palestinians to carry any arms.  They could not form a military.  They might have their own police in some areas, but not in all areas.  What do the Palestinians get in return?  An 80% vote by Palestinians can remove any politician from office at any time.  (or by 60% of the general public).  The goal here is to get politicians to be real leaders of all the people – or they are out.  This could be written into the constitution in the same way that 2/3 majority is written in for specific situations.  

The Right of Return by Palestinians to their homes that are now occupied by settlers is a difficult issue, but it too can be handled with a new structure.  Half of the settlers could remain in half the houses of any one settlement.  The other half would be Palestinians, Christians, or other outsiders.  If there is any significant level of fighting then all will be removed, and the homes given to someone else. Democracy 202 pushes people to talk and solve problems together.  

Democracy 202 is an establishment of better feedback and better structures to govern all people.  People generally have a good sense of leadership if they have good information.  First amendment rights will be essential.  A change in structure of this kind would require help from outside countries or maybe the UN to enforce it in an efficient and effective way.  But it is time to take democracy to a new level.