Two-state solution
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The two-state solution is the name for a class of proposed resolutions of the long-running Arab-Israeli conflict. There are many different proposals under this rubric, which differ substantially in their details, although all share a basic concept (reflected in the name). It is contrasted with other options, notably the binational solution (either a twin federal arrangement or a unitary state) and the population transfer solution (termination of the non-Palestinian or non-Israeli civilian presence in lands claimed by "the other").
Proponents of a two-state solution to the conflict generally advocate two separate nation-states in the Western portion of the historic region of Palestine, one Jewish and another Arab. According to the idea, the Arab inhabitants would be given citizenship by the new Palestinian state; Palestinian refugees would likely be offered such citizenship as well. Arab citizens of present-day Israel would likely have the choice of staying with Israel, or becoming citizens of the new Palestine.
Although the proposal is considered controversial by some, most outside observers consider some form of it the most reasonable, and likely, solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
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[edit] History
Variations on the basic idea have a long history.
The Peel Commission report of 1937 envisioned a partition of the British Mandate of Palestine area into three sections: Arab, Jewish, and a small continued Mandate area (effectively under international control), containing Jerusalem. The Arab leadership rejected the plan, while the Jewish leadership, while not accepting it, wished to use it as a basis for further negotiation. [1]
The next major proposal to suggest a partition was the 1947 UN Partition plan for the division of Palestine. It also proposed a three-way division, again with Jerusalem held separately, under international control. It too was rejected by the leadership of Arab nations and the Palestinian leadership at the time, although this plan was accepted by the Jewish inhabitants.
Security Council resolutions dating back to 1976 supporting the two state solution based on the pre-1967 lines were vetoed by the USA. The idea has had overwhelming support in the UN General Assembly since the mid 1970's.
Some Palestinians, as well as some Arab states have stated that they would accept a 2-state solution based on pre-1967 lines. Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, however, continue to call for the "liberation" of all of "historic" Palestine from the "Zionist Entity." While Hamas has recently offered a 10-year "hudna", or truce, contingent on Israel returning to the 1967 lines, they have stated publicly they would leave the ultimate solution to the conflict open to "future generations", thus leaving open the possibility that a solution based on the 1967 lines would not suffice, and they have steadfastly refused to alter their Charter, which explicitly calls for the destruction of the Jewish State and its replacement with an Islamic Theocracy.
[edit] Recent events
In the 1990s the pressing need for a peace in the area, brought the two-state idea back to centre stage. At one point in the late 1990s, considerable diplomatic work went into negotiating a two-state solution between the parties, including the Oslo Accords and culminating in the Camp David 2000 Summit, and follow-on negotiations at Taba in January 2001. However, no final agreement was reached.
Variations include a Palestinian state in all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip or some portion thereof. In some proposals raised in talks with the Palestinians there would have been territorial adjustments involving some small sections of current Israeli territory.
Some Israelis hold that the two-state solution was implemented in 1922 when Britain split off the eastern 75% of the Mandate to create Transjordan which became Jordan, a state with an Arab majority population.
Some Israeli politicians, such as former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, argue for a form of two-state solution in which a Palestinian state is granted most of the attributes of an independent state but denied certain aspects of sovereignty that might allow it to threaten Israel. Netanyahu argues, for example, that the future states' ability to import arms should be restricted. The Palestinian leadership does not view such proposals as being in the true spirit of the two-state solution concept.
More recently, possible two state solutions have been discussed by the Saudi and US leadership[1].In 2002, Crown Prince (now King) Abdullah of Saudi Arabia proposed the Arab Peace Initiative, which garnered the unanimous support of the Arab League. President Bush announced his support for a Palestinian state, opening the way for UN Security Council Resolution 1397[2] supporting a two state solution. Christian communities in Israel also back the solution.
[edit] Notes
- 1 Cohen, Israel and the Arab World, pp. 209
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Two-state solution-discredited - without workable alternative, Beate Zilversmidt, The Other Israel, May 2006
- Two State Solution Expert Analysis
[edit] Further reading
- Aharon Cohen, Israel and the Arab World (Funk and Wagnalls, New York, 1970)
