Palestine – Jordan/West Bank Bi-National State Under Discussion…writes David Singer
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have been discussing the creation of a bi- national State in the West Bank and Jordan according to Professor Richard Falk – United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories occupied since 1967.
Professor Falk is revered by the Palestinians whilst simultaneously being targeted by many others – including United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay – for his controversial views on a range of matters including his suggestion that the Boston marathon bombing was a justifiable response to America’s interventionist US foreign policy and his posting of an antisemitic cartoon on his web site.
Writing in his blog “Citizen Pilgrimage” – Professor Falk disclosed discussions were taking place on a bi-national State during an exchange he and I were having – after he had written:
“I do agree with you about the ‘two state’ solution being a dead letter, and rather bad faith on all sides to pretend otherwise.
The question seems to me to be “What Next?” I think the Jordanian option is one answer, but not one I endorse. There is a need for this discussion, I agree to this extent.”
I then sent Professor Falk a recent article written by me arguing for the creation of a bi-national state in Jordan and the West Bank to embrace the aspirations of the Arab populations of both territories.
Professor Falk’s response on 8 July was unexpected and very encouraging:
“I have read your article with care, and it does provide a clear alternative to the two-state solution. It is also an approach that I know from my diplomatic contacts is being encouraged by Israeli negotiators in private meetings with the Palestinian Authority, and toward which the PA has not expressed outright rejection, but apparently a willingness to consider.”
Whilst expressing that he had several problems with this solution – which he enumerated – Professor Falk continued:
“Given the paucity of decent alternatives, if the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people genuinely accepted such a solution without it being imposed, it might be better than nothing, and the best among bad options.”
I addressed Professor Falk’s concerns to which he made the following response:
“Without attempting to respond point by point because there are some underlying gaps separating our positions that cannot be bridged by reasoning or compromise, I will merely express my reservations about advocating a resumption of negotiations”
Two of Professor Falk’s reservations were:
“I do not discern any support among Palestinians for the Jordan bi-national option that you are proposing”
This was a surprising statement in view of the fact that he had earlier indicated that Palestinian negotiators had expressed a willingness to consider such a proposal and were in fact negotiating with Israeli negotiators on such a proposal.
“I find no interest in this approach among Jordanians, either those in government or those in leadership roles among the various ethnicities living in the country.”
Professor Falk was apparently unaware that the following statement had been recently made by Jordan’s Minister of Culture – Barakat Awajan:
“Jordan and Palestine are joined by one culture and connected by blood, geography and sacred ties”
My attempt to respond to Professor Falk has been met by an impenetrable fire wall. Three efforts to contact him using three different computers have not been successful. That is unfortunate.
Professor Falk is obviously well placed to know what is going on among the Palestinians.
I would regard his comments on discussions for a bi-national State being conducted between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators as well-sourced and authentic.
Jordanian knowledge and acquiescence in those negotiations can be gleaned from the above statement by Jordan’s Minister of Culture – which incidentally was made face to face to his Palestinian counterpart Anwar Abu Aisha in Amman.
US Secretary of State Kerry has not been travelling backwards and forwards between America and the Middle East merely to have his prestige and reputation trashed in a repeat of what has occurred to previous Secretaries of State over the past 20 years.
Creating a bi-national State in Jordan has always been the solution most likely to succeed in resolving the conflict between Jews and Arabs.
It is a solution which accords with the historic, geographic and demographic realities of the region and will result in the Jews ending up with sovereignty in about 20% of Mandate Palestine and the Arabs with sovereignty in about the remaining 80%.
There will be many Jews and Arabs not happy with an outcome that does not yield them 100% and the other nothing.
That however is not what a settlement is about. A good settlement is one which leaves both sides bemoaning what they have gained.
Professor Falk’s opinion that the bi-national state is the best of many bad options will surely resonate with the Palestinians. He has their confidence and their ear. I hope he is instrumental in helping them understand the wisdom of accepting such a resolution – if further conflict and suffering is to be avoided.
Maybe indeed we might at last just be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel after travelling for more than 95 years in the darkness – witnessing conflict after conflict with intolerable suffering for both Jews and Arabs.
After all – the right to breathe is the most fundamental human right we all have.
David Singer is a Sydney Lawyer and Foundation Member of the International Analysts Network
The Bi-national state of Jordan and Palestine does not address the obvious question. How is it possible without lifting the occupation and removing the settlements ? Will the settlers and Israel agree to transfer the Jewish settlers to Jordanian sovereignty ? If the settlements, roads and barrier are left intact, there are only isolated districts left for Jordanian rule. This means using Jordan to play the role of enforcer and collaborator for Israel’s expansion.
I commend you on your courage, David. No matter what people say, no matter that you are shown to be wrong, you persevere.
The two-state solution between Israel and some thieving terror entity to be called Palestine is a mouldering corpse none have the decency to deny their noses and pronounce it dead.
The two state solution between Jordan and the yet to be born “Palestine” is also dead. Jordan says it want to unite with Palestine, but it really doesn’t because there are too many of those Arabs hostile to the Hashemite regime. But far more importanly, such a two-state solution is predicated on the establishment of such a state and the creation of such a statelet depends on the PA reaching and agreement with Israel. And that will happen when hell freezes over, because the Pallies will not agree to have a state if it means that Israel remains as the nation state of the Jewish people.
Paul,
I agree with your comments but no doubt David will have an answer to anything you say, incorporating the usual quotes of who said what to whom and when to justify the position he takes.
The only peace that Abbas wants with Israel is the peace of the grave.
This should be the over-riding understanding Israeli negotiators should get into their heads before conceding another thing to the “Palestinians”.
Gil
Repeating slogans will get you nowhere.
Abbas is under enormous pressure and needs to get off his soap box if he is to save any face.
I always prefer to rely on statements made by players to the diplomatic process when trying to analyse what is happening.
Falk’s statements to me on his blog page must be taken very seriously. If you disagree then you should state why and I will endeavour to answer you.
Of course Israeli negotiators will be very wary of what is said – but the fact is that Falk’s statement is sounding a very positive note that I believe Israeli negotiators cannot afford to ignore.
Paul
You may well be right – but when Falk comes out with what he told me then I can only assume there are serious discussions going on behind closed doors to create a bi-national state.
You can’t ignore the clear indication publicly given by the Jordanian Minister of Culture to the Palestinian Minister of Culture at this point of time. These kind of statements do not happen by accident. To say it is not meant is useless unless you have some evidence to support your claim.
When Falk says it is the best of the bad options available to the Palestinians – I feel confident he would not make such a statement without first clearing it with PLO. Their moment of truth is fast arriving – as it is for the Arab League.
Twenty years wasted in useless negotiations to create two Arab states in former Palestine can be forgotten in a few weeks of negotiations to draw a new international border between Jordan and Israel within the context of the existing Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty.
Falk has given a clear indication that the bi-national state of Israel and the West Bank floated by some in the PLO and other enemies of Israel is dead in the water.
Fascinating developments may be in the making to get around the demise of the two-state solution.
Read JWire for further developments as they happen.
David, hope so. From your pen to God’s ears
Rami
So far no comment from Falk to contradict what he has written to me.