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Children in Gaza. A state would be a huge achievement for Strip's residents
Photo: AFP

Three states for two peoples

Op-ed: Establishment of a state in Gaza would not solve 'Palestinian problem' but would largely reduce it. It could also serve as a good test case, from which both sides – Israel and the Palestinians – would learn how to complete the solution.

In 1947, on the eve of the State of Israel's establishment, the British rule in the Indian subcontinent came to an end, and it was divided into two states. Two states for two peoples: India for the Hindus and Pakistan for the Muslims.

 

 

Pakistan had been divided into two parts at the time: One part east of India, and the other part – including the state's capital – west of India. India was located between the two parts.

 

The geographic separation and the demographic and geographic differences between eastern and western Pakistan created gaps and disputes between the two parts of the Muslim state.

 

In 1971, after western Pakistan refused to accept the election results which gave a majority of the votes to a party developed in the eastern part of the country, eastern Pakistan rebelled against the central government and turned into an independent state – Bangladesh.

 

Sound familiar? Gaza and the West Bank, with Israel in between, are similar in many aspects to eastern and western Pakistan, and what happened there would probably happen here too if a Palestinian state were to be established in these two regions.

 

With the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza, Israel's responsibility towards the Strip and its residents would end. Its leaders would be the only ones responsible for its welfare (Archive photo: AP)
With the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza, Israel's responsibility towards the Strip and its residents would end. Its leaders would be the only ones responsible for its welfare (Archive photo: AP)

 

Perhaps it has already happened. It seems that the rift between Gaza and the West Bank is a fact. Attempts to patch up things have failed. The two million residents of Gaza have different interests, a different economy and probably different cultural and religious approaches as well from their two million brethren in the West Bank.

 

If a Palestinian state is established in Gaza in the near future, all other options for an overall agreement in the region would remain open. In the future, the West Bank would be able to turn into another Palestinian area, whose residents would be able to decide whether to unite with Gaza. Alternatively, the West Bank would be able to join the State of Israel in a confederative agreement or a different arrangement, and even become part of Jordan.

 

In light of my unwillingness to control a population group which lacks the rights that the majority of humanity enjoys, and fearing for Israel's demographic fate, I believe that the lands of Judea and Samaria should be under Palestinian control. But my opinions and beliefs are irrelevant to the issue of this article.

 

The establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza would be a huge achievement for its residents. They would have a state of their own, they would have passports, they would be able to develop their country, build seaports and airports in its, develop the gas fields off their shores, build commercial and tourism centers, resume their trade relations with Israel and enjoy relative welfare compared to their current miserable situation.

 

The state established in Gaza would be able to restore its relations with Egypt, and maybe even receive additional territories from Egypt to increase its residents' living space. The Gazans would have a lot, and they would also have a lot to lose, so it would be reasonable to assume that they would act more responsibly so as not to jeopardize their achievements.

 

The establishment of the state in Gaza would not solve the "Palestinian problem" we are facing, but it would largely reduce it. A coordinated move with Egypt, the United States and the world's other countries might be a great move ahead of easing the problem and allowing two million people to live a better life.

 

In any event, our responsibility towards Gaza and its residents would end. Its leaders would be the only ones responsible for its welfare. The Palestinian state in Gaza could also serve as a good test case, from which both sides – we and the Palestinians – would be able to learn how to complete the solution.

 

It seems that Israel's right-wing camp isn't in favor of returning to Gaza either. How do we stand to lose, therefore, from a state which would be established there and would be responsible for its conduct towards us and towards the world, and which would be able to benefit its citizens but would also be required to show responsibility towards them?

 

The establishment of a state in Gaza will demonstrate that Israel practices what it preaches, and that it is willing to make progress towards a solution which will give the Palestinians a state in which they can enjoy civil rights.

 

Reuven Behar is a lawyer.

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.17.15, 09:07
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