Civil Society Seeking a Two-State Majority
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Developing an Israeli Developing an Israeli Grand Strategy toward a Peaceful Two-State Solution Grand Strategy toward a Peaceful Two-State Solution An Israeli-Palestinian Confederation: A viable alternative for the “two states solution”? Table of Contents Introduction Werner Puschra ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 Introductory Note Yair Hirschfeld ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 This publication was made possible through the generous support of the Friedrich-Ebert- Creating the Enabling Conditions for Reaching an Israel- Stiftung, Israel. We thank Palestine Two-State Solution the FES for its continued Yair Hirschfeld ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 cooperation, and would like to express our greatest appreciation to Ms. Judith Factors that Help / Enable Progress towards a Two-State Stelmach, the responsible Solution – The Security Area project manager at FES Israel, for her involvement, Ron Shatzberg ........................................................................................................................................................... 22 her total commitment, and her assistance throughout the project. We thank the Economic Enabling Conditions towards Sustainable researchers for their efforts. Palestinian State-Building Anat Kaufmann and Baruch Spiegel ....................................................................................... 30 The opinions expresssed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the What can Israel’s Arab-Palestinian Citizens Contribute to the Friedrich-Ebert- Stiftung and/or Middle East? of Netanya Academic College. Kamal Ali-Hassan ................................................................................................................................................. 40 The comercial use of the publications of Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung or of Netanya Spoilers on the Way to a Two-State Solution Academic College without Yossi Hen ........................................................................................................................................................................... 58 written approval is strictly prohibited. Heshbon Nefesh: Civil Society Seeking a Two-State Majority Ned Lazarus ................................................................................................................................................................. 82 October, 2016 © All rights reserved The National-Religious Public and the Prospects of Peace with ISBN Number: the Palestinians – Between Scuttling and Leading 978-965-92408-5-2 Roie Ravitzky ............................................................................................................................................................... 98 Scientific Editing: Dr. Yair Hirschfeld About the Authors ............................................................................................................................................105 Translation: Ruchie Avital, Mor Ilan Copy Editing: Judith Stelmach, Esti Ofer Photography: Signelements, Istockphoto 1 Developing an Israeli Grand Strategy toward a Peaceful Two-State Solution Introduction Werner Puschra For quite a few years now, more and more skepticism is voiced - How can the security needs of Israelis and Palestinians about the prospects for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian be met? conflict. The parameters of the Oslo-Process are questioned - Which economic conditions and policies need to be put and the public and political support for a two-state-solution in place to improve the welfare and living standards of the is fading out. Lack of progress of the diplomatic process is Palestinian people? one factor contributing to the widespread pessimism about The contributors to the publication also focus on the actors a solution, as are changing political circumstances in Israel, decisive for progress in the different policy areas. the region and in Europe and the US. - What role can the Palestinian citizens of Israel play to Public support in Israel for a two-state solution is decreasing. promote a peaceful solution? According to a recent poll conducted by Smith Research in July 2016, less than 50% of the Jewish Israeli public - How can civil society become an even more pro-active still supports a two-state solution. Voters of Shas, Habayit player to support a two-state-solution? Hayehudi, United Torah Judaism, Likud and Yisrael Beitenu - What is the role of the religious communities on both sides overwhelmingly oppose the concept. Among men there is to prepare the ground for a peaceful cooperation? less support than among women, and the opposition to a - In which way can the international community support the two-state solution is especially strong among voters under process and open up avenues for the reconciliation between 30 years of age. Israelis and Palestinians? Alarm over the possible demise of the two-state-solution The publication does not aim to provide a concrete has also been expressed by political leaders in the US and prescription for getting the peace process back on track. Europe on various occasions. A possible alternative, the It rather lays out a comprehensive strategic approach for one-state-solution meets with even more opposition and is those, who still believe in a peaceful solution, as well as for regarded to be a non-starter. those, who need to be convinced of it. Given this gloomy outlook the objective of this project and I would very much like to thank the team of the Daniel S. publication is to define the main elements which would need Abraham Center for Strategic Dialogue under the leadership to be in place in order to move forward with the diplomatic of Dr. Yair Hirschfeld for their excellent work on this project process with a view towards a peaceful solution to the old and the fruitful and productive dialogue between us. conflict. The authors are convinced that a peaceful solution Special thanks go to my colleague Judith Stelmach, who is still possible and that there is no reason to fall into despair. contributed to the project and the publication with her heart They are laying out their perspectives on the challenges and soul. My gratitude also goes to Elie Friedman, Esti Ofer, ahead covering the following policy areas and describing and Gilad Segal who were her counterparts at the Center. the enabling factors leading towards a two-state-solution: Together they were a great team, without which the project - What are the causes of the failures of the diplomatic process? and the publication would not have been possible. Dr. Werner Puschra, Director FES Israel 2 Introductory Note Yair Hirschfeld Approximately, a year ago Dr. Werner Puschra and Judith Though the PA security forces still face many challenges, Stelmach of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung suggested preparing they did gain reasonable trust of the Palestinian public. The a volume which describes what Israel would need in order joint security interests shared by the PA and Israel thus allow to move forward towards a peaceful Israel-Palestine two the sides to maintain delicate relations in a very sensitive state- solution. Attempting to review all relevant aspects, environment. seven different essays were commissioned covering the He argues that extension of the PA police force authority to political, security, economic and religious challenges, as villages in area B that don’t have regular police services, can well as the perspective of Israel’s Palestinian Arab minority, assist in restoring law and order and good governance, thus and the challenge for civil society work. strengthening the PA and its state institutions. Schatzberg Yair Hirschfeld provides a short historical review of the describes a plan on how to extend Palestinian Police services development of the Israel-Palestine two-state concept. He to a population of more than 700,000, who presently do not analyzes the causes of past failures, describes achievements have access to effective policing. Implementation would made and indicates suggested policies to move forward. offer essential advantages to all sides and be a step in the He argues that no “ready-made” solution can replace a process of establishing the security and legal infrastructure phased process of peace making and attributes the five of the emerging State of Palestine. Providing law and order times repeated failure to reach an “end of conflict” agreement to all citizens creates the necessary stable environment to unrealistic political aspirations. Instead of asking the for economic development and social welfare. A related question “how can all outstanding core issues i.e. Jerusalem, upgrade of the Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation would refugees, borders, settlement and security be solved, he create the necessary trust and legitimacy for a continuing suggests to ask the question of “How can a successful, negotiating process. prosperous and contiguous State of Palestine, living in good Baruch Spiegel and Anat Kaufmann address the issue neighborly relations besides Israel and its other neighbors, of economic enabling conditions towards sustainable develop?” Instead of leading negotiations based on the Palestinian state-building.