The Three State Solution: Equality, Inclusion, and Security

1. How can three states govern the same territory?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:14:16 +0000

Each state will delegate administration of certain areas to each of the other states. The states will agree collectively on which state administers which area; in certain cases, residents will vote on the administration of their choice. Delegation means that the administering state answers to the other two states for administering the area responsibly, and in accord with all agreements. Obviously, the states will have to cooperate closely, but the Federation will serve as a dedicated mediator whenever necessary.

2. What does “equality” mean?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:12:34 +0000

Israelis and Palestinians must view each other as equal players in terms of their political, economic, and geographical status. Neither side can afford to take on the role of a superior power granting generous concessions to the other side. Nor can either regard the other as historically, culturally, or otherwise less entitled. Problems that arise must be considered on the basis of equality. Equality means equal rights for both peoples in terms of collective self-determination, and it means no discrimination whatsoever based on religion, ethnicity, or language. This includes an end to discrimination in terms of land rights and cultural expression. It also includes equality in regard to the right to return.

3. What about social and economic equality?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:11:35 +0000

Based on the model of the European Social Fund, the Federation will establish and administer a special fund to subsidize social and economic programs in disadvantaged Palestinian and Israeli localities.

4. What does “co-territoriality” mean?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:09:37 +0000

Israelis and Palestinians all feel a connection to the entire land. Co-territoriality means the simultaneous existence of sovereign states on the same land. Even though parts of this land may be administered by different states, the entire land will be “owned” by both Israel and Palestine, as well as by the Federation. Whichever state administers a given section of the land will answer to the others for administering it responsibly. Co-territoriality also means that any citizen of any of the three states will have the right to live anywhere in the land. This right will be realized within the context of the Federal Settlements Program.

5. Why three States?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:07:44 +0000

No single- or two-state solution has succeeded in satisfactorily protecting both peoples’ legitimate rights to their land and self-determination. Most significantly, there is no other way to address the Palestinian refugees’ right of return while maintaining Israel’s self-determination and security. Equally important, the counterbalance of a third, joint, secular state constitutionally committed to building a secular, civil society can ensure equality, fairness, and peace. The Federation can mediate between Israel and Palestine.

6. What will the Federation do?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:06:56 +0000

The Federation will be a sovereign state co-territorial with Israel and Palestine. It will administer the Federal Settlements and Districts. It will also have primary responsibility for developing mutual recognition and reconciliation programs to improve relations between the two peoples and among all ethnic and religious groups residing in the land. As a bi-national, secular state, it will provide citizenship, full political and civil rights, and religious freedom to all Palestinians and all Israelis willing to pledge allegiance to the Federation and its principles of co-territoriality, equality, and the three-state solution. The Federation will also administer a social fund modeled on that of the European Union to subsidize social and economic programs in disadvantaged areas throughout the land. In addition, the Federation will serve as a dedicated mediator in conflicts between Palestine and Israel.

7. How will a three-state situation operate, in general?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:05:57 +0000

Each of the three states (Israel, Palestine, and the Federation) will declare its sovereignty over the entire land; each will also recognize the sovereignty of the other two states. Jerusalem will be the capital of all three. Some parts of the land will be administered by Israel, some by Palestine and some, including the historically sensitive areas, will be administered by the Federation. As sovereign states, Palestine, Israel, and the Federation will each have their own separate symbols, governments, foreign representation, official languages, and laws, although there will also be confederate laws that apply to all three.

8. How does citizenship work?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:04:47 +0000

People who currently hold Israeli citizenship retain their Israeli citizenship; Palestinian citizens retain their Palestinian citizenship. Any Palestinian or Israeli who pledges allegiance to the Federation and its principles of co-territoriality, equality, and the three-state solution gets Federation citizenship as well. People exercising their right of return as Palestinians are eligible for Palestinian and Federation citizenship; people exercising their right of return as Jews are eligible for Israeli and Federation citizenship.

9. What’s the relationship between citizenship and administration?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:03:53 +0000

An Israeli citizen lives in land administered by Israel or the Federation; a Palestinian citizen lives in land administered by Palestine or the Federation.

10. How will security be maintained?

Ben Greenberg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:02:52 +0000

Ending discrimination, creating open democratic processes, and resolving the conflict with justice will lead the majority of people on both sides to stop supporting extremists. Israel will retain its army and other security apparatuses; Palestine and the Federation will develop their own security forces as well. Together, the three states will create an interstate security council. As security improves, the three states will gradually reorganize security maintenance to emphasize local empowerment. In areas under Palestinian administration, local civil guard units, consisting of people from the immediate areas, will take on increasing responsibility for road security and check points, while Federal and Israeli troops stand by supervising and ready to intervene if necessary. Federal forces will maintain security in Federally administered areas, with Israeli and Palestinian forces playing a supervisory role and available to intervene if necessary. All such deployments will operate under the auspices of the interstate security council, in accordance with mutual security agreements based on legitimate security needs. As the local units prove their efficacy, the supervisory forces will scale back. In areas under Federal administration, Federal security forces will have primary responsibility for handling any incidents of violence.