Now is the right time to call for one state between the Jordan and the Sea
Some will see this as a defeat, and some will see this as sobering up. But when faced with a complex situation, extraordinary steps are required
By Jack Khoury • Translated by Sol Salbe
This week, Otzma Yehudit Leader Itamar Ben-Gvir tweeted a photo showing representatives of the four parties that once made up the Joint List at a meeting in Nazareth and called for their punishment and expulsion. It is not clear what exactly scared or saddened him. The meeting itself? The strength of unity between the representatives of the Arab parties? What is certain is that his tweet signals the direction of the government when it comes to the right to vote of Arab citizens and their representatives: we will see more applications for their disqualification, restrictions and other tools to suppress the vote.
At the same time, Israel’s Treasurer [known in the local parlance as the Finance Minister], Bezalel Smotrich solemnly announced the beginning of the process of burying the Palestinian state, with the intention of approving massive construction plans in the E1 area. All of this is happening against the backdrop of the push to militarily occupy the Gaza Strip and implement Transfer [ethnic cleansing -tr] plans In the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Both approaches, Ben-Gvir’s and Smotrich’s, prove one thing: fear and anxiety do not disappear. The fear of unity in the ranks of the Arab parties, the understanding that the transfer plans could clash with demographic and political reality, and also with the world’s recognition of a Palestinian state — all of these present the government with a complexity that it prefers to ignore.
Those who expect the international community’s condemnations to prevent the implementation of the plans are likely to be disappointed again. The recognition of a Palestinian state is partial, hollow, and the future cannot be based on it. Perhaps it is time to think differently: not to try to save the small state of Palestine, but to declare one state between the Jordan and the Sea. Yes, that is true — in practice it will be an Apartheid regime for a few years, but why not? After all, we already have an Apartheid regime here. A few more rounds of oppression, a few more years of repression, and nothing will change if we do not look at the reality with open eyes.
In this situation, the Palestinians are not hanging around for a Nelson Mandela, and there is no one to guarantee the safety of Marwan Barghouti in an Israeli prison. There is no F W de Klerk here either. Barghouti and Yair Golan, each in their own place, cannot prevent the continuation of oppression and Occupation.
The confrontation with Ben-Gvir and Smotrich once again illustrates the gap between what the right-wing government in Israel is allowed to do, and what the Palestinians are prevented and forbidden to do. Barghouti’s ability is limited by prison, and Golan’s ability is limited by political reality. After all, it is impossible to deny the fact that Benjamin Netanyahu is still the conductor of the orchestra and is implementing what has served him for more than a decade. When Mahmoud Abbas stands on the UN stage and recites the call to the world: “End the occupation, help us establish ‘A Palestinian state”,” the world is indifferent. It is either lethargic, or it refuses to seriously act.
Perhaps now, instead of continuing the struggle with hollow declarations about recognising a Palestinian state, the time has come to declare: We, the Palestinians, on our land, see our future in one state between the Jordan and the Sea. True, this solution is not perfect and will not be easy. But this solution places reality before our eyes and in front of all Israelis. And sometimes the mirror is the only way to begin real change.
Some will see this as a defeat, and some will see this as sobering up. But when faced with a complex situation, extraordinary steps are required. No to a Palestinian State, yes for one state.
