"Israelis and Palestinians alike are
two peoples who have experienced traumatic histories. We must never
forget them. But we must not be held hostage by history either. We must
care more about the future of our grandchildren than the past of our
grandparents, or even ourselves.
We
must work together to build a future in which both peoples can enjoy
the rights, responsibilities and dignity of citizenship and
self-determination. There is only one way to actually accomplish this:
ending the occupation and creating a Palestinian state to live alongside
Israel. Palestinians must recognize and accept Israel, which is a
legitimate member state of the United Nations. The Palestinians must
have one place on earth, the territories occupied in 1967, where they
can live freely as first class citizens in their own independent state.
There is no other way to end the cycle of bloodshed, pain and hatred has
that lasted for so long."
I think it is an exceptionally good essay- except for one small argument with rather huge ramifications that Ziad makes regarding the two state solution to end the conflict: "But Israel cannot incorporate the Palestinian territory and population conquered in 1967 without losing both its Jewish and its democratic character."
ReplyDeleteMy Jewish friends have character, states do not- states have policies and the ability to use tax payers money for the greater good, or for institutionalized bigotry.