tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675600882597316438.post5045154040312720946..comments2023-10-26T06:29:39.824-07:00Comments on The Magnes Zionist: A Note On "Viability"Jerry Haberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173892714754718716noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675600882597316438.post-85027091941133715272007-12-09T10:54:00.000-08:002007-12-09T10:54:00.000-08:00Where we disagree is over the "moderate" justice o...Where we disagree is over the "moderate" justice of the solutions proposed. The Palestinians cannot hold out for total justice -- that is an unattainable idea. But they should hold out for a sustainable peace that provides the minimum requirements of such a peace -- including the requirement of justice, or better, not gross injustice.<BR/><BR/>By the way, you will never hear an Israeli government talking about even "moderate" justice for the Palestinians. <BR/><BR/>The idea that some sort of solution is preferable to the current state of affairs is a classic negotiating tactic of the more powerful side. Sometimes no settlement is better than a humiliating settlement that will carve fundamental inequities and injustices in stone.<BR/><BR/>I am sorry. The answer is not another Oslo. We saw what that got us. I am beginning to think that Oslo's and Annapolises are salves for the consciences of well-meaning Jewish liberals (there, I said it.) They genuinely are upset by the suffering of the Palestinians; I will grant them that. But that suffering can only be alleviated by strengthening the Palestinian side at Israel's expense, and the Jewish liberals draw their line at that.<BR/><BR/>I will let you into a little secret, in case you don't know. Nobody in Israel, except the ultra rightwing, gives a damn about the West Bank or the Palestinians. They would love to be rid of both. So they make all sort of offers that are non-starters; the only reason why such offers make it to the table is because of the weakness and the desparation of the Palestinian side<BR/><BR/>I say to the Palestinians "Hang tough. Don't give in. Stand up for the minimum." Fortunately, they don't need me to tell that to them. I know it is a chutzpah for me to write this from the comfort of my office. I cannot blame them for wanting to have a slightly better life than the miserable one they have now.<BR/><BR/>Peace is an important value. But without justice and human dignity, it isn't worth a damn.<BR/><BR/>So we are back to square one. Let me say one or two words about the minimum and the maximum, as I see them.<BR/><BR/>1) The Maximum: a withdrawal to the lines of the Partition Plan, the return of several million refugees (as defined by the UN) to their homes and surrounding areas, with full compensation for all losses. In other words, go back to 1947, based on firm international principles of return of refugees to their homes and the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory through force. Each state will have control over its natural resources without any consideration for the other. <BR/><BR/>2) The Minimal: withdrawal to the 67 borders and full compensation for the refugees, who will be offered the option to return to their homes as Israeli citizens, with the rights and responsibilities thereof. A general amnesty for every Palestinian held in Israel for security related crimes, including terrorism. The Palestinians will have the same rights as the Israelis with respect to security, the right to bear arms, control over borders etc. Policy on matters of concern to both, such as the allocation and development of natural resources, will be decided by a joint committee of Israeli and Palestinians.<BR/><BR/>There is no need for the minimum agreement to be implemented immediately. The implementation can be in stages over 5 or 10 years. There can even be interim agreements. But any interim agreement signed by the Palestinians should not close the door on the minimum principles.<BR/><BR/>We want peace? We want a good life for the Jews and the Palestinians? For that we have to pay big. It's time to clean up after the party and get down to living.<BR/><BR/>Or as Tony Judy wrote, it is time for Israel to grow up.Jerry Haberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15173892714754718716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675600882597316438.post-87747103311654601742007-12-09T06:22:00.000-08:002007-12-09T06:22:00.000-08:00other option. Just because you think the current s...other option. Just because you think the current state of affairs doesn't allow having a fully "just" and "equal" solution doesn't mean that such a solution will ever be achievable from both sides; that is, if there is such a thing, "just" solution. Why not go for a reachable, acceptable solution, rather than an ideal, non-feasible one? And is such a hope worth another round of violence?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675600882597316438.post-85083288719225056372007-12-09T06:20:00.000-08:002007-12-09T06:20:00.000-08:00But why hope for Annapolis to fail? Why hope for a...But why hope for Annapolis to fail? Why hope for another round of violence, from which, most likely, the Palestinians will come off on the bottom hand? Because only after ANOTHER intifada will the Israelis finally realize they must give more than (some of them) are willing to give now?<BR/>I think striving for some sort of solution now (which will only be "moderately" just) is better than anyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675600882597316438.post-63640313894958733532007-11-28T10:35:00.000-08:002007-11-28T10:35:00.000-08:00good post j, but i would change the word "anarchy"...good post j, but i would change the word "anarchy" to "chaos" ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com