(In 2003 I'd submitted this article to various publications. Most Israeli editors called it "Blasphemous". Only one publication, Ovi Magazine published it in 2003.)
Another opportunity lost, 2024 has shown us the tragedy of our choice at that time. But, what if this proposal had been chosen and tried. How else can the two survive in Peace, if not together, side by side? Is it too late"?
"Some time back, after I'd submitted
this proposal to various publications, I'd come across an article that had
highlighted a peace plan for the Middle East that was presented by Abe
Hirschfield and Dr. Mohammed Mehdi that stated a similar cause. The day it was
presented was September 11, 1974, a date that could have made history.
Now, thirty years later, that date 9-11 means more than it ever could have back
then. Yet, on that day thirty years ago, was perhaps the most important event
that might have prevented not only the airplane terrors but also the loss of
many lives that were and still are being sacrificed for the sake of ill
causes.
Well, again, we are faced with a time when something bold needs to be presented. Only this may truly be our last chance for any true peace, not only in the Middle East but also perhaps throughout the world. As religions and philosophies are spread out so are the factions that are ready to explode into wars.
As the war in Iraq has placed an ominous burden of any chances for a peaceful settlement, let Israel and Palestine lead the march for a peaceful solution. In spite of the string of assassinations, on both sides, of the innocent and the guilty, let all governments and organizations declare a new ceasefire.
Impossible, you say. Can't be trusted, butchers every one of them. (Describes both sides, doesn't it?) But, what if.....
What if indeed it becomes possible that the first hurdle of peace has been cleared by the agreed upon "true" ceasefire, then the next step should be taken with the utmost care as the next hurdle may cause us not only to fall but may also prevent us from ever crossing that finish line of total peace. Yet, how should we proceed? Obviously, with caution at most, but also with a possible belief and understanding of trust. That is the name of that next hurdle - trust. It always has been. And to clear it, what may our next step be?
Sometimes the most obvious step is the most difficult to accept.
In 1974, Mr. Hirschfield, a Jew, and Dr. Mehdi, an Arab, had presented a plan for peace. This may be its last chance for implementation. But it must be taken seriously this time, as what lies beyond failure may be annihilation. As everything else tried has been and will be a failure and Jerusalem will perhaps change hands once again through wars just as it did during the time of the earlier Crusades. We still learn nothing from history.
So here it is: the only solution never seriously discussed is that which will allow Palestinians and Jews to live side by side, literally and logistically as next door neighbors; sharing not only the spaces with each other but also learning to live as friends in peace, and with respect. Sharing the same environment, the same living standards, can make all the difference.
Obviously this is only a pipe dream, even a madman's delusion, ask anybody. They would kill each other, wouldn't they? If the answer is yes, then what's the use of trying anything? But, if they'd learn to share the dream of better futures for their children then perhaps they can heal the wounds that are carried into each child's generation. After all, it is the children who must learn to live in peace from any time on. For the adults, the hate has already taken hold; therefore, their God-given logic has to overcome their hateful passions.
And this is how it can be started: throughout all of the disputed Israeli settlements on the West Bank and former Palestine, propose that the housing communities shall remain intact and with a plan for expansion, for the sake of this amendment, this experiment: - that each house/apartment shall have as it's next door occupant the opposite, an even distribution of Palestinians and Jews; thereby, creating an environment of neighbors, hopefully a community that can learn to live in peace and with respect towards one another, a new kind of country; even by name, if necessary. (Perhaps, "New Jerusalem", instead of Israel-Palestine, as these are the two warring countries that will not stop fighting until one side has complete control to call its own.)
Ironically, this plan may even create a bombproof and helicopter attack proof neighborhood. Any explosions in such a neighborhood would surely have victims from both sides, a deterrent, perhaps. But also, those who would live this experiment must and would need extreme courage, not only to their own but to the rest of the world, as many would try to destroy that kind of peace. But it would be up to the leaders from each side to also show the courage of leadership.
Most assuredly, make no mistake, there will be problems from the start but how else can both sides learn to live in peace with each other? We might as well try it now and see if it could work. After all, isn't that the most obvious goal, to learn how to live in peace?
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