Israel Must End Racial Segregation for the sake of Peace

Peace through Equality

A just and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians hinges on the principle of equality-where both communities are granted the same rights, opportunities, and freedoms, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or history. The best way to achieve this peace is through a unitary state or federation, where Israel and Palestine are united into one country where all citizens, including Palestinians and Israelis, live as equals under the same laws.

Equality is not a new or foreign concept in the struggle for justice. Throughout history, marginalized groups have fought for basic human rights, and their successes show that equality is not just a moral ideal, but a practical solution to peace and stability. In the United States, African Americans fought for desegregation, civil rights, and equality before the law. As Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." The same logic applies to the situation in Israel and Palestine. When one group is treated as second-class citizens, or is excluded from full participation in society, peace is impossible.

One compelling example of this is the division of Palestinians into four distinct categories under Israeli law. Those who hold Israeli citizenship, such as Palestinians in the Galilee, enjoy the most rights, including the right to vote and run for office. They can live and work freely in Israel. These rights allow them to coexist with Jewish Israelis peacefully. However, Palestinians in Jerusalem, though residents, are not full citizens, and face restrictions on movement, access to resources, and participation in political life. Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza face even worse conditions, with restricted mobility, fewer resources, and a constant state of segregation and violence. The West Bank is encircled by a wall, and Gaza is subject to an ongoing blockade. This fragmentation, and the unequal distribution of rights, creates a constant state of tension and conflict. As Nelson Mandela once said, "To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity." Palestinians in Gaza, who live under the least favorable conditions, suffer the most, and this has led to repeated cycles of violence.

On the other hand, the peaceful coexistence between Palestinian citizens of Israel and Jewish Israelis demonstrates the power of equality. When both groups are given equal rights, they are able to coexist peacefully, despite deep historical and cultural differences. It is crucial to note that in regions where inequality and segregation exist, such as Gaza, conflict and violence thrive. As Mahatma Gandhi put it, "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." The cycle of violence between Israel and Gaza will only continue as long as one group is denied equality.

Kamal Nawash has emphasized that peace cannot be achieved through mere coexistence under inequality, but through a shared vision of equality and justice. In his writings, Nawash advocates for a "unitary state" solution, where Palestinians and Israelis live together as equal citizens. He suggests that such a state would foster stability, security, and prosperity for both peoples, ensuring that the mistakes of segregation and discrimination do not continue to divide the land.

Just as desegregation was essential to peace in the United States, so too is the end of racial and legal segregation in Israel and Palestine. When laws discriminate based on ethnicity or religion, peace becomes a distant hope. By offering equal rights to all citizens-regardless of whether they are Jewish or Palestinian-Israel can not only create peace with Palestinians but also with itself. A unified, democratic state with equal rights for all citizens would prevent the violence, unrest, and constant state of war that currently exists in Gaza. It would also serve as a model for the world, showing that peace can only come when all people are granted equality before the law.

In conclusion, a unitary state or federation based on equality is the only viable path forward for Israelis and Palestinians. By embracing the principle of equal rights, as we have seen in the civil rights struggles of African Americans and the teachings of leaders like Mandela, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr., peace and justice can be achieved. True peace comes not from a fragmented, divided system of different laws for different people, but from a shared commitment to equality and mutual respect. Equality is a solution.

Kamal Nawash is an American lawyer from Jerusalem.