Can we get beyond the one-state vs. the two-state solution?   Fear and confusion are not leading toward any agreement.  We must find other pathways.  

Can Israel be a “Jewish State” even if they only have a minority of the population?  Yes.  We seem unable to think beyond the words “majority” and “minority”.  The concept of majority comes from a time when actual fighting could be avoided when one side had an obvious advantage in numbers.   Yet many democracies have leaders chosen by a plurality, not a majority.  Leaders may become afraid of a majority, yet in reality, it is the leaders of various groups who decide what constitutes a government.  They decide what is written into a constitution. 

Even if Jews constitute a minority, the responsibility for the military could be given to Jewish secular leaders.  This might make sense in light of the number of wars that Israel has had with its Arab neighbors.   Other groups might take responsibility for other parts of the government.  

Grassroots citizens generally want public administrators who are fair and constructive.  They want an environment that is stable and predictable so that they can do their work and get on with their lives.  Toward that end, there should be referenda that allow for removal of any public administrator or politician by 80% of a minority of people who live in a region, or 60% of the general population of that region. Such an arrangement would benefit greatly from third party observers who can travel anywhere, talk to anyone, and help set up referenda if necessary.   Third party observers might come from the United Nations or other individual states. 

The modern nation-state came into being at the end of the Thirty Years War when the Treaty of Westphalia was signed by 109 signatories.  Negotiations took place over six years and in two separate locations.  It was the structure that allowed the various warring parties to come to an agreement. 

Political scientist Hans Morgenthau stressed the need for balance rather than domination.  Creating balance can be done with feedback and accountability mechanisms written into the structure by leaders at the start, or created by other groups at a later date.  This concept can be further developed to include voting on specific issues by groups that are “naturally balanced”.   E.g. Everyone who has a birthday in March can use their extra and special vote for Issue X.  

Church (religion) v. State power battles have gone on for centuries.  The role of the State is to set boundaries and rules of what people cannot do.  The role of religion, on the other hand, is to prescribe what people should do, to help find purpose and center for their lives.  Mixing these roles leads to corruption. 

From the Jewish perspective, it all started on October 7.  From a Palestinian perspective however, they (Palestinians) have been brutalized for decades,  and yet  there are many Jews and Palestinians who do not hate each other.  They look for ways to get along.  This could be a starting point in forming mixed enclaves around the country and provide some extra measure of security with hybrid communities.   Diaspora Jews, scattered around in a world that is now aligning against Israel, will also likely be safer from retribution.  

It is possible then to create one state with multiple minorities including Jews, Palestinians, Non-Palestinian Arabs, and Christians.  

Summary

1. Secular Jews head up the military.  This can be written into the constitution. 
2. Referenda can be done to remove any politician by 80% of a minority or 60% general vote in any region.  
3. Third party observers must be allowed to talk to anyone and help to set up referenda.  These observers might come from the UN or individual states. 
4. Tear down the walls around Gaza and allow anyone to live anywhere.  

Jo Suter

March 2024                                                                                       

A Different and Dynamic Democracy for Israel-Palestine (DDIP)

 ABSTRACT:  4 Main points

  1.    Minority (Jews) can still control military and for now, police. 

2.   60% General vote and 80% Minority vote can remove a politician or change a policy with a referendum in any region. 

3.   Third party observers can go anywhere, talk too anyone, and help set up referenda if needed.   

4.   Settlements must accept equal numbers of “outsiders” or dismantle. 

The power of democracy is related to feedback and accountability from the voters on a regular basis. This feedback can be more dynamic however, allowing for a variety of responsibilities by different groups.  Israel fears being in a minority, especially when surrounded by Arab states.  One-person-one-vote may not work well in this situation since non-Jews could take control of top seats in government.

This requires a change in the structure of democracy to allow all minority groups to have a specific function.  Israel can keep control of the military and police, though the police function could change later. The key part is that other minorities in any region can call for referendum or removal from office any politician or any decision-maker by 80% of minority or 60% of a general vote of that region.  This will induce politicians to think more about the fairness and feasibility of their decisions. 

A dynamic democracy will depend on active participation by an outside third party, at least to start.  Third parties, whether they be from the United Nations or neighboring states, can help communication and formulation of feedback referenda.  Feedback from leaders to the voters can also evolve.  Third party participants must have access to any and all areas and be able to talk to anyone.

Settlements must change and may be safer from attack if they accept “outsiders”.