We have a new guest author on SST. "Itai" is an Israeli of whom I know nothing other than that he writes to me. His first post appears below. pl
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If there is an independent State ever created in the west bank, it will not be a Palestinian state it will be a Muslim State. First, because the so-called Palestinians do not want such a state. They always said no. And secondly, because the Palestinians themselves make clear, from PLO to Hamas, it will be a Muslim state.
The are no unknown with respect to Hamas, which as part of the Muslim Brotherhood, seeks an Islamic Caliphate. Hamas charter does not mention a Palestinian state. As it relates to the PLO, the agreed upon constitution of the future Palestinian state, states things clearly.
Article 2 states that “The Palestinian people are part of the Arab and Islamic nations. Arab unity is a goal. ". Article 5 states: " Islam is the official religion in Palestine.." And Article 7 also makes it clear: " The principles of the Islamic sharia are a main source for legislation”. This constitution was formulated by a serious team of lawyers, from the West and the Arab world, headed by Nabil Shaath, A Member of the PLO not Hamas. (“http://www.pcpsr.org/domestic/2003/nbrowne.pdf”)
The proposed constitution does not stop the Palestinians, like other propagandists from the Arab world, the West and Israel, to recite the mantra that there is no such thing as a Jewish state and a Jewish state is necessarily a racist state. "
Not True!!! Apart from Lebanon, The constitutions of all Arab states, includes a uniform section, usually the second section, that “Islam is the state religion.” Nobody told them to change the definition of self. Western countries also tie between national and religious identities.
For example, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Britain, Greece, Australia, Switzerland and others, displays the Christian cross as part of their flags. No one questions their choice. The Palestinians are doing the same tying between church and state. All Arab countries do the same. But that fact will not stop Saeb Erekat, a member of the PLO moderate stream, to say time and time again that “No country in the world ties national identity with religious identity”
Based on that background, one should re-examine the periodic hype about creating a Palestinian state. The Palestinians of course agree to create their own state, as long as they don’t have to accept the notion of “Two States for Two People”, Even the Saudi Initiative which was adopted and later became the Arab Initiative, does not recognize the UN partition plan. The initiative mentions only section 194, which is about the right of return. Two States indeed, but none of them in accordance with resolution 181 which grants the right of the Jewish people and confirms the term “Jewish State” 29 times.
Here is the relevant article of the Saudi initiative: “Achievement of a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem to be agreed upon in accordance with U.N. General Assembly Resolution 194.” (http://www.al-bab.com/arab/docs/league/peace02.htm)
Some in Israel think that the Saudi Initiative is an acceptable point to start negotiations from, In My opinion Palestinian realization that the Right of Return can’t be implemented, in accordance with finding a just solution based on the principle of “Two States for Two People”, is the first step towards finding a solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
The ROR and the Two State for Two People will be the pivot point for this peace process, a Palestinian announcement that they denounce the ROR and recognize Israel as a Jewish Democratic state, means they accept and seek the end of conflict. Palestinian demand that ROR will be implemented will mean, to most Israelis, they actively seek the destruction of the state of Israel and its transformation to supra national / bi-national state. For Israeli’s that would be the end of negotiations.
We need to hear from the Palestinians, in Arabic, in front of the entire world that they accept the Two State for Two People principle. So far they didn’t, and lately it seems that they chose a different path and will try to bend Israel’s arm with a unilateral move of seeking statehood at the United Nations General Assembly, Hoping that through world support they would be able to avoid committing to the only thing that can bring a just solution to our 120 years of conflict. Itai
