Hi everyone,
I'm starting my membership on this forum by introducting my blueprint for peace. To introduce myself: I'm a 25-year old Orthodox Jew, who lived in Israel for the past 6 years.
The Holy Land
Proposal for eternal peace in the Holy Land
Table of Contents
Chapters
-. Introduction
1. Constitution
2. Politics and government
3. Language
4. Freedom of religion
5. Foreign relations
6. Defense and public security
7. Health care
8. Public calendar
9. Diaspora issues
10. Prisoners
11. Holy sites
Introduction
Central to the concept of a unified state is the principle that both sides must come to acknowledge and understand each other's pain, and regret the injustice that has been served on both sides. Without realizing that both of our peoples have gone through major disasters over the past century, we cannot understand the importance of compromising on issues that are dear to us.
Chapter 1 Constitution
The initial constitution must be approved by the Israeli and Palestinian governments, in the form of their respective cabinets, as well as by the highest-ranking clerics of each country.
Changes to the constitution after the unification will require a majority of 80% of parliament, in both the upper and lower chambers.
Chapter 2 Politics and government
With the goal of increasing the threshold of acceptance for any changes to existing laws, the unicameral parliaments of Israel and Palestine will change into a bicameral parliament, to be housed in the current Knesset, and to have 150 seats.
With the goals of increasing government transparency, enabling quick decision making, and presenting a single face to the outside world in foreign relations, the positions of president and prime minister will merge into one position of president, following the American model.
The positions of prime minister, foreign minister, interior minister, defense minister and public security minister will be earmarked for the former Palestinian (2), former Israeli (2), and random (1) populations. Which post is to be held by who is up to coalition talks following elections.
An increased level of independence will be granted to municipalities, through municipal elections for the municipal council, the size of which is to be determined by each town separately. The municipal council, in turn, selects the members of local government including the mayor and his deputies.
Regional government on the district level will be maintained but reduced in importance. The main objectives of regional government lie in coordinating education, public safety including fire services, health services and maintaining direct oversight over municipalities. The regional government will be elected in conjunction with the municipal government.
Chapter 3 Language
The primary language in the Holy Land will be Arabic, while Hebrew and English will be accorded the status of recognized minority languages. Government offices and major companies will be obligated to provide all services in each of these languages, and all government employees will speak at least two of these languages on a high level while aiming to achieve trilingual capabilities.
The goal of having Arabic as the main language lies in integrating the Holy Land’s Jewish population with the neighboring countries, with the aim of promoting mutual understanding and cooperation in areas such as education, trade and tourism.
In the initial years of the unification, the primary language to be used by government officials will be English, to afford former Palestinians and former Israelis an equal chance at being able to follow actions of government without having to rely on translators.
In education, the following is proposed:
• Pupils in the Jewish population will start learning Arabic and Hebrew from first grade. From fourth grade, English will be added. The aim is to have a bi- and trilingual environment in schools, where part of the lessons will be held in Arabic, part in Hebrew, and – from the fourth grade onwards – part in English.
• Pupils in the Arab population will focus on Arabic and English, while learning Hebrew on a limited scale starting in fourth grade.
Chapter 4 Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion as well as separation of religion and state will be guaranteed by the constitution. This includes the right of individuals to change their religion as they desire. Proselytizing actions by any religion may be limited by state or municipal law, to be determined at a later date.
Religious institutions will be separated from the state. Initially, the state may continue for a limited number of years to fund institutions that are currently part of the state, such as the Chief Rabbinate and state religious courts; during these years, these institutions are required to privatize themselves and arrange for their own funding, eventually becoming private organizations.
Chapter 5 Foreign relations
The Holy Land will aim to create full diplomatic ties with all countries around the world. It welcomes visitors from all countries, as well as short- and long-term foreign workers.
A primary aim in foreign relations is full integration of the entire population, including the Jewish sector, in the greater region of the Middle East. The Holy Land wants to be a full and equal player on the regional and global levels.
Chapter 6 Defense and public security
The existing Israeli and Palestinian defense and security forces are to be integrated into a single organization under the leadership of the ministers of defense and public security. A major role in public security is reserved for district and municipal governments.
Chapter 7 Health care
The existing Israeli model for health care will be expanded to cover the former Palestinian areas well.
Chapter 8 Public calendar
Freedom of religion includes the right of each individual to be able to celebrate their holidays without having to work. This issue is critical in particular to the Jewish population.
The government guarantees Saturday as a day of national rest, while adding one day before and/or after that – either Friday or Sunday – for the Islamic and Christian populations, while entitling all companies to choose their own weekend, allowing them to work 5 days per week without harming the religions rights of any employees. A significant amount of goodwill will be required on the part of the employers in cooperating with this policy.
The government suggests that wherever possible, employees should be required to work on location from Monday to Thursday, while working one day flexibly either from the workplace or from a remote location.
Religious holidays are granted on an equal basis, whereby the number of total holidays for each individual equals the largest number of holidays in any religion during that year.
The existing Holocaust Remembrance Day, Remembrance Day (for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism), and Nakba Day, will be combined into a single day of national commemoration for the disasters the entire population suffered.
A national holiday will be declared for the day on which the Holy Land gained statehood.
Chapter 9 Diaspora issues
Both the Jewish and the Palestinian peoples have an extensive diaspora. For the Holy Land, these diasporas will be considered of equal importance, and gain equal rights. It is not feasible for the Holy Land, which is already densely populated, to absorb an unlimited number of immigrants, be they new immigrants or (the descendants of) returning refugees. Equal but strict measures will be placed on both Jewish and Palestinian immigration, using the same rules for respectively Jewish and Palestinian persons. These may include a requirement to be self-sufficient, inability to gain citizenship for extended periods of time, a requirement to perform national service – civil or military – for an extended term, or state-imposed decisions on the area where immigrants can initially live.
Long-term visitor visa will be issued without any problems for Jewish and Palestinian expatriates; alternatively or in addition, citizenship without right of abode can be granted for those who cannot live in the Holy Land.
Chapter 10 Prisoners
Those who are imprisoned for planning or attempting to execute acts of terrorism are to be released immediately and granted full clemency, provided they promise to contribute to the building of the Holy Land. Those who executed acts of terrorism will be subjected to a board of review composed of three judges.
Chapter 11 Holy sites
Holy sites must be preserved, and those that are shared between religions must be equally accessible to all, subject to the decisions of religious leaders in charge of these sites. It should be noted that Jewish law does not allow Jews to access the Temple Mount under any circumstances. Sites that are to be accorded special importance include the tombs of Rachel and Joseph, and Islamic tombs in formerly Israeli areas.
I'm starting my membership on this forum by introducting my blueprint for peace. To introduce myself: I'm a 25-year old Orthodox Jew, who lived in Israel for the past 6 years.
The Holy Land
Proposal for eternal peace in the Holy Land
Table of Contents
Chapters
-. Introduction
1. Constitution
2. Politics and government
3. Language
4. Freedom of religion
5. Foreign relations
6. Defense and public security
7. Health care
8. Public calendar
9. Diaspora issues
10. Prisoners
11. Holy sites
Introduction
Central to the concept of a unified state is the principle that both sides must come to acknowledge and understand each other's pain, and regret the injustice that has been served on both sides. Without realizing that both of our peoples have gone through major disasters over the past century, we cannot understand the importance of compromising on issues that are dear to us.
Chapter 1 Constitution
The initial constitution must be approved by the Israeli and Palestinian governments, in the form of their respective cabinets, as well as by the highest-ranking clerics of each country.
Changes to the constitution after the unification will require a majority of 80% of parliament, in both the upper and lower chambers.
Chapter 2 Politics and government
With the goal of increasing the threshold of acceptance for any changes to existing laws, the unicameral parliaments of Israel and Palestine will change into a bicameral parliament, to be housed in the current Knesset, and to have 150 seats.
With the goals of increasing government transparency, enabling quick decision making, and presenting a single face to the outside world in foreign relations, the positions of president and prime minister will merge into one position of president, following the American model.
The positions of prime minister, foreign minister, interior minister, defense minister and public security minister will be earmarked for the former Palestinian (2), former Israeli (2), and random (1) populations. Which post is to be held by who is up to coalition talks following elections.
An increased level of independence will be granted to municipalities, through municipal elections for the municipal council, the size of which is to be determined by each town separately. The municipal council, in turn, selects the members of local government including the mayor and his deputies.
Regional government on the district level will be maintained but reduced in importance. The main objectives of regional government lie in coordinating education, public safety including fire services, health services and maintaining direct oversight over municipalities. The regional government will be elected in conjunction with the municipal government.
Chapter 3 Language
The primary language in the Holy Land will be Arabic, while Hebrew and English will be accorded the status of recognized minority languages. Government offices and major companies will be obligated to provide all services in each of these languages, and all government employees will speak at least two of these languages on a high level while aiming to achieve trilingual capabilities.
The goal of having Arabic as the main language lies in integrating the Holy Land’s Jewish population with the neighboring countries, with the aim of promoting mutual understanding and cooperation in areas such as education, trade and tourism.
In the initial years of the unification, the primary language to be used by government officials will be English, to afford former Palestinians and former Israelis an equal chance at being able to follow actions of government without having to rely on translators.
In education, the following is proposed:
• Pupils in the Jewish population will start learning Arabic and Hebrew from first grade. From fourth grade, English will be added. The aim is to have a bi- and trilingual environment in schools, where part of the lessons will be held in Arabic, part in Hebrew, and – from the fourth grade onwards – part in English.
• Pupils in the Arab population will focus on Arabic and English, while learning Hebrew on a limited scale starting in fourth grade.
Chapter 4 Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion as well as separation of religion and state will be guaranteed by the constitution. This includes the right of individuals to change their religion as they desire. Proselytizing actions by any religion may be limited by state or municipal law, to be determined at a later date.
Religious institutions will be separated from the state. Initially, the state may continue for a limited number of years to fund institutions that are currently part of the state, such as the Chief Rabbinate and state religious courts; during these years, these institutions are required to privatize themselves and arrange for their own funding, eventually becoming private organizations.
Chapter 5 Foreign relations
The Holy Land will aim to create full diplomatic ties with all countries around the world. It welcomes visitors from all countries, as well as short- and long-term foreign workers.
A primary aim in foreign relations is full integration of the entire population, including the Jewish sector, in the greater region of the Middle East. The Holy Land wants to be a full and equal player on the regional and global levels.
Chapter 6 Defense and public security
The existing Israeli and Palestinian defense and security forces are to be integrated into a single organization under the leadership of the ministers of defense and public security. A major role in public security is reserved for district and municipal governments.
Chapter 7 Health care
The existing Israeli model for health care will be expanded to cover the former Palestinian areas well.
Chapter 8 Public calendar
Freedom of religion includes the right of each individual to be able to celebrate their holidays without having to work. This issue is critical in particular to the Jewish population.
The government guarantees Saturday as a day of national rest, while adding one day before and/or after that – either Friday or Sunday – for the Islamic and Christian populations, while entitling all companies to choose their own weekend, allowing them to work 5 days per week without harming the religions rights of any employees. A significant amount of goodwill will be required on the part of the employers in cooperating with this policy.
The government suggests that wherever possible, employees should be required to work on location from Monday to Thursday, while working one day flexibly either from the workplace or from a remote location.
Religious holidays are granted on an equal basis, whereby the number of total holidays for each individual equals the largest number of holidays in any religion during that year.
The existing Holocaust Remembrance Day, Remembrance Day (for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism), and Nakba Day, will be combined into a single day of national commemoration for the disasters the entire population suffered.
A national holiday will be declared for the day on which the Holy Land gained statehood.
Chapter 9 Diaspora issues
Both the Jewish and the Palestinian peoples have an extensive diaspora. For the Holy Land, these diasporas will be considered of equal importance, and gain equal rights. It is not feasible for the Holy Land, which is already densely populated, to absorb an unlimited number of immigrants, be they new immigrants or (the descendants of) returning refugees. Equal but strict measures will be placed on both Jewish and Palestinian immigration, using the same rules for respectively Jewish and Palestinian persons. These may include a requirement to be self-sufficient, inability to gain citizenship for extended periods of time, a requirement to perform national service – civil or military – for an extended term, or state-imposed decisions on the area where immigrants can initially live.
Long-term visitor visa will be issued without any problems for Jewish and Palestinian expatriates; alternatively or in addition, citizenship without right of abode can be granted for those who cannot live in the Holy Land.
Chapter 10 Prisoners
Those who are imprisoned for planning or attempting to execute acts of terrorism are to be released immediately and granted full clemency, provided they promise to contribute to the building of the Holy Land. Those who executed acts of terrorism will be subjected to a board of review composed of three judges.
Chapter 11 Holy sites
Holy sites must be preserved, and those that are shared between religions must be equally accessible to all, subject to the decisions of religious leaders in charge of these sites. It should be noted that Jewish law does not allow Jews to access the Temple Mount under any circumstances. Sites that are to be accorded special importance include the tombs of Rachel and Joseph, and Islamic tombs in formerly Israeli areas.