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 Posted by Aron on November 08 2002 (Friday) : 12:31 AMIn my discussions with Asaf, we often say that the extreme right and extreme left agree on their analysis. They just differ on their solution. But that's changing as well. As Meron Benvenisti indicates here many on the left are beginning to agree on the solution as well - one state from the Mediteranean sea to the Jordan river. Of course the left sees this as a democratic, multi-ethnic state and the right sees it as an ethnically pure Jewish enclave. I hestitate to use the word "extreme." If it is used in a purely technical sense, indicating the distribution of opinions on a statistical curve, then it is inaccurate. On the right, this view has growing support. Some polls indicate as many as 40% of the Jewish population of Israel supports an ethnically pure "Greater" Israel as the solution. Certainly this view is well represented in the present government. On the other hand, the left who supports a binational state solution is indeed a tiny minority. Of course, opinions change and often rapidly. A decade ago it was a crime to meet with PLO officials. Only people on the "extreme" left advocated negotiations with the Palestinians and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Today, the vast majority of Israelis support this view, if only as the other alternative to create an ethnically pure Jewish enclave. "Extreme" has other connotations. It is often used to discredit a viewpoint, implying moral abhorrence. In that sense, it is appropriate to apply it to the view of the right, since what they are essentially advocating is ethnic cleansing or even genocide. The left who advocate a binational state, on the other hand, are looking for a compassionate, democratic and non-violent solution. One has to remember that before WW II this view was considered a legitimate Zionist alternative. It later became a Palestinian euphemism for ethnic cleansing of Jews from Israel. Obviously, if one believes ethnic cleansing is immoral, then it doesn't matter who is the target. So those on the left who support a bi-national state, are not talking about sending the post-1948 Jews back to Europe (which was, in fact, once a position of the PLO). Israel/Palestine can be a multi-ethnic state - both Jewish and Palestinian, if it is truly democratic. For those who argue this is totally unrealistic, perhaps it is in the near future. But as Benvinisti points out, none of the other alternatives being bandied about, are a long term solution to the conflict. < | >
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"Entre los individuos, como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz -- Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace" -Benito Juárez
"It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it." -Eleanor Roosevelt "Let them call me a rebel and welcome. I feel no concern from it. But should I suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul" -Thomas Paine | |
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The binational option
