Sixty years ago this week, on November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution which adopted the plan for the partition of Palestine into an Arab state and a Jewish state. 33 states voted in favor of the resolution, 13 against and 10 states abstained. In fact, I have been invited to commemorate the event in two days in Lake Success, New York, the original United Nations home on Long Island.
Not universally supported within the Jewish community of Palestine, the right wing, led by Irgun leader Menachem Begin, felt that the division of territory was untenable for the Jews. Jews on the far left supported the dream of a single bi-national state together with the Arab residents of Palestine.
Yes, it was an imperfect plan, but the Jews accepted it as it provided them with a physical, recognized national homeland. Unfortunately it was not accepted by the Arab residents of the region, resulting in the War of Independence.
Here we are, almost sixty years later and we have not managed to reach the fulfillment of UN resolution 181. There were long years in which the Arab states and the Palestinians refused to even recognize Israel’s right to exist. There have also been many years when Israeli leaders held an almost messianic belief in a greater Israel that would rule over millions of Arab residents.
In November 2007, neither is the dominant point of view. The majority of Israelis, according to polls, favor a smaller, democratic, Jewish Israel. According to parallel polls, the majority of Palestinians support a Palestinian state at peace with Israel.
We have leaders on both sides who agree that the time is now.
As a U.S. Congressman told me recently, “we all know what the final peace agreement will look like. It’s getting there that has proven to be so hard.”
Ameinu has supported recent private Israeli-Palestinian peace initiatives such as the Geneva Accords and the Ayalon-Nusseibeh People’s Voice campaign and calls upon Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to be guided by the principles outlined in these documents, including:
- A “two states for two peoples” solution with a return to 1967 borders with modifications based on agreed-upon territorial exchange.
- Jerusalem as a shared capital of both states.
- Addressing the Palestinian “right of return” in the context of the new Palestinian state and through a compensation fund to be established by the international community.
- An end to the conflict and security guarantees for the residents of both states.
While the territorial issue appears more attainable, if not without difficulties, the Israeli desire for a “Unified Jerusalem” and the Palestinian claim for a right of return will require Olmert and Abbas respectively to go to their people and describe the painful compromises that must be made for peace.
How can we be optimistic that peace is possible?
§Olmert and Abbas have spent more time discussing the issues together than any other Israeli and Palestinian elected leaders; they have developed personal trust.
§There is a sense of urgency: Bush is nearing the end of his term,the situation on the ground is not getting better and let’s just say that Olmert and Abbas have their own internal reasons for a breakthrough.
§Because we have to – because cynicism and despair are not an answer.
Today we rally American Jews to the cause of support for the renewed peace process. We serve as an example for American Jews to stand up and be forthright in our support for the two-state solution. In the days and months ahead there will be ups, downs and curves as the negotiators navigate the road to peace. We must be confident in explaining to our fellow American Jews that it is in the best interest of both the American people and the Israeli people to actively pursue this peace, despite the serious challenges along the way.
As a Zionist, I am proud to declare that “pro-peace is pro-Israel”
Tnu sikui l’shalom, Give peace a chance
Thank you
