Task Force on Israel-Palestine

PROPOSAL FOR UNIFICATION OF ISRAEL & PALESTINE:

A Federation For Peace & Equality

By Kamal Nawash

Introduction The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has persisted for decades, driven by historical grievances, territorial disputes, and deep-seated fears. Past attempts at peace, including the two-state solution, have failed due to mutual distrust and the indivisible connection both Israelis and Palestinians feel toward the land. This proposal outlines a new framework for lasting peace: a federalized, unified state ensuring equal rights, security, and self-determination for all.

This is a proposal for resolving the Palestinian/Israeli conflict based on equality and the belief that Jews and Palestinians may prosper together if they have equal rights.

What makes the Palestinian/Israeli conflict so dangerous is that half the world, three billion Jews, Christians & Muslims, are emotionally, historically, and religiously attached to the land known as Israel/Palestine. Specifically, Jews see Israel/Palestine as a necessary haven to protect Jews from 2000 years of persecution. Jews also consider Israel/Palestine as their religious and ancestral homeland. Palestinians, who are made up of Christians and Muslims, see Israel/Palestine as their current and ancestral homeland which was unjustly taken from them. Palestinians also believe that their persecution and dislocation will not end until they regain their homeland. From a religious perspective, Palestinian Christians and Muslims are deeply attached to Israel/Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.

Today, due to the affordability of satellite TV, billions of people are exposed to 24-hour coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Western News stations like BBC and CNN no longer have a monopoly on reporting news. The graphic and often emotional coverage that people see on social media about the suffering of the Palestinians is inspiring a new generation of young people in every country of the world.

The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has become extremely dangerous and can only be described as a ticking nuclear bomb. Currently, only Israel has nuclear weapons in the region. But Iran may also go nuclear and if it succeeds the Arabs may try to do the same.

But can this conflict be solved after many wars failed to end it? The answer is YES and the following proposal is the first step.

I. Vision for a United Israel-Palestine The proposed solution envisions a single federal state called the "United States of Israel-Palestine" (USIP), comprising two semi-autonomous states, Israel and Palestine. This framework would allow both peoples to maintain their national identities while coexisting under a single democratic system that guarantees equal rights, protection, and representation.

II. Structure of Government

  1. Federal Government
  • The federal government will oversee national security, foreign policy, economic regulation, and human rights protection.
  • A bicameral parliament will be established with equal representation from both Israeli and Palestinian states (50/50 representation), ensuring neither group dominates governance.
  • A President or Prime Minister may be elected by popular vote or by the parliament.
  1. State Governments
  • Israel and Palestine will function as semi-autonomous states, managing local governance, education, healthcare, and religious affairs.
  • States may establish their own laws, provided they do not violate the federal constitution, which guarantees equal rights and non-discrimination.
  1. Municipal and Local Governance
  • Local governments will manage community-level concerns and may be organized along demographic lines to ensure cultural and religious harmony.
  • All residents, regardless of ethnicity or religion, will have the right to live in any area without restrictions.

III. Rights and Freedoms

  1. Equal Citizenship
  • All residents, whether Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or other, will be equal citizens under the law.
  • Citizens will have full voting rights at all levels of government.
  1. Freedom of Movement
  • There will be no internal borders restricting movement between Israel and Palestine.
  • Jerusalem will serve as the shared capital, open to all citizens.
  1. Religious and Cultural Rights
  • Religious freedom will be fully protected.
  • Holy sites will should ensure access for all religious communities.

IV. Security and Law Enforcement

  1. Unified Security Forces
  • A national military will be composed of equal numbers of Israelis and Palestinians, trained together to foster unity and trust.
  • Federal and state police forces will reflect the demographics of their jurisdictions to ensure fair enforcement of the law.
  1. Judicial System
  • A dual judicial system will exist, allowing citizens to choose between religious or secular courts for personal matters.
  • Federal courts will have ultimate jurisdiction in matters of human rights, constitutional disputes and commerce.

V. Economic Integration

  1. Unified Market
  • A single economy will be established, removing trade barriers and fostering cooperation in industries such as technology, agriculture, and tourism.
  • Investments from international partners will be encouraged to support infrastructure and development.
  1. Right of Return and Migration
  • Both Jews and Palestinians will have the right to return and claim citizenship.
  • Migration policies will be structured to balance demographic concerns and economic needs.

VI. Roadmap to Implementation

  1. Transitional Government
  • A transitional federal government will be established to oversee the integration process, with equal representation from Israelis and Palestinians.
  • International peacekeeping forces may be temporarily deployed to ensure security during the transition.
  1. Constitutional Drafting
  • A new constitution will be drafted by a joint Israeli-Palestinian committee, ensuring protections for all citizens.
  • Public referendums will be held to approve the constitution.
  1. Reconciliation and Healing
  • A Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be created to address past grievances and promote national healing.
  • Educational reforms will focus on fostering mutual understanding and coexistence.

Conclusion This proposal presents a path toward lasting peace, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and shared governance. By uniting as one united nation, Israelis and Palestinians can secure a future of prosperity, security, and harmony for generations to come.

Words of empathy and understanding

Palestinian to Israeli

"We understand why the state of Israel is important to you. We understand that the Jews - as a people- have a right to self-determination and to rule themselves under their national institutions. We are fully aware of the persecution that Jews suffered throughout history and the necessity of having a haven for Jews. We mourn your losses, we are pained by your pain and we want a future with no losses and no pain due to this conflict. We recognize that because of desperation and self-defense, both sides committed atrocities that should never be repeated. We also understand that Jews have historical and religious ties to the land of Israel/Palestine. We believe that every Jew shall have the right to move to Israel and become a citizen immediately. We also welcome Jews to live with us in our cities, towns and villages. We want the Palestinians and Israelis to live together as neighbors, friends and countrymen. In return, what we want is freedom, liberty and equality for the Palestinians. Will you meet us half way?"

Israeli to Palestinian

The roadmap is also requesting Israelis and Jews to reach out to their Palestinian partners and say: "We understand why Palestine is important to you and we understand that the Palestinians - as a people- have a right to self-determination and to rule themselves under their national institutions. We are fully aware of the suffering the Palestinians have experienced over the last 100 years and the necessity of having a haven for Palestinians. We mourn your losses, we are pained by your pain and we want a future with no losses and no pain due to this conflict. We recognize that because of desperation and self-defense, both sides committed atrocities that should never be repeated. We also understand that Palestinians have historical and religious ties to the land of Israel/Palestine. We believe that every Palestinian shall have the right to move to Israel/Palestine and become a citizen immediately. We also welcome the Palestinians to visit and reside in our cities, towns, and villages. We want the Palestinians and Israelis to live together as neighbors, friends, and countrymen. In return, we want permanent security, liberty, equality, and total freedom for the Jewish people. Will you meet us halfway?"

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Task Force on Israel/Palestine