The lack of Palestinian self-determination must be resolved as soon as possible. That probably requires not only carrots but also a stick, Stewart writes.
Timo R. Stewart researcher, non-fiction writer
This week, both Israelis and Palestinians remember the events of 76 years ago, each in their own way. It’s a celebration in Israel independence day and all the determination, hard work and sacrifices that made it possible.
The Palestinians, on the other hand, mourn the loss of their homes and land. For them, the fateful year 1948 meant disaster or nakba.
These anniversaries are not just history. The war in Gaza and the critical situation in the West Bank remind us that the Palestinians still do not have their own state. The civil rights of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation are not realized.
This is exactly at the heart of the so-called Middle East conflict. Kekkonen saw it too already in the 1970s.
The state of Palestine just doesn’t belong. Why?
More than three decades ago, the Palestinian liberation movement PLO took a spoon in its beautiful hand, recognized Israel and began to pursue its own state only in the occupied territories. The entire international community supported this two-state solution.
The state of Palestine just doesn’t belong. Why? And why are so many in Israel and the West still at odds?
At its most crude, Palestinian independence is opposed by making claims, that there has never been a Palestinian state and that the Palestinians are not a real people. The previous statement is of course true, but it also applied to Finland and many other countries at the time.
The latter claim, on the other hand, speaks of the fact that the history of nationalism is not familiar at all. Sometimes at the beginning of the 19th century, there might not have been a Palestinian nation, but the same could be said about many other nations.
Sometimes the Palestinians are accused of not having agreed to the agreements. This is where the corners are straightened out. Perhaps it is assumed that the Palestinians should have ungrudgingly accepted whatever Israel has offered.
It is obvious that the Palestinians have not had the best luck in the world, but the matter can also be tested with a game of thought. If we assume for a moment that the Palestinian leadership has refused reasonable negotiated solutions every time without good reason, it still does not change the basic problem.
It is hardly conceivable that a mistake by a political leader could permanently abolish the basic rights of millions. When Israel is not willing to offer citizenship to the Palestinians of the territories it occupies, the only way remains is to negotiate the two-state solution again.
The latest counter-argument is that Palestinian independence would be to reward Hamas after a brutal terrorist attack. However, the matter can be seen the other way around.
Palestinians are unhappy with Israel’s occupation, but divided on the best way to get out of it. The PLO has put all its cards in the negotiation solution, but it has not progressed. Now the Palestinian Authority shows in the eyes of his Palestinian critics From a subcontractor of the Israeli occupation.
A delay in a negotiated solution will increase support for Hamas violence, while its progress could help the popularity of a peaceful solution.
This too must be said: The Israeli government does not approve the idea of an independent Palestinian state. It no more supports the two-state model than Palestinian citizenship.
A sustainable solution should be significantly fairer than currently prevailing one state modelwhere residents have unequal rights. Federal or of two states there are models.
This is of course easier said than done, but something new should be tried and soon.
The UN has 193 member states. 140 of them have already recognized Palestine. Several EU countries will probably do so in the near future.
One way that is now being floated is the recognition of a Palestinian state. It doesn’t change anything in itself, but it communicates the goal. The UN has 193 member states. 140 of them has already recognized Palestine. Several EU countries probably will do so in the near future.
Also changing the carrot-only approach would open up opportunities. Trade, direct financing and diplomatic relations give European states leverage on both sides. They must be used with courage.
The undemocratic and human rights violations of the Palestinian Authority cannot continue. Israel’s maintenance of illegal settlements, restriction of Palestinian rights, and stalling of the Palestinian state cannot continue either. And not the Gaza war.
It is difficult to see how we could continue to interact normally, unless there is a quick change.
Timo R. Stewart
Writer, researcher, who tries to keep in mind that absolutely all conflicts end. At least that’s how it’s been until now.