March 31, 2007
Dear Amani:
Here is my idea: after laying the proper groundwork, to have a referendum in the Occupied Territories, monitored by the U.N., the Carter Center and other objective international observers, where the people vote to become Israeli citizens. In the referendum it would state that this offer to become Israeli citizens would be conditional on Israel’s agreement to write together with the Palestinians a constitution that would have as its highest principle non-discrimination on the basis of race or religion, which all real democracies have, but which a “Jewish state”, by definition, cannot have. I believe that such a referendum would expose the racist nature of Zionism so clearly that world opinion, and particularly opinion in the U.S. would turn against Israel. The American people are even more disgusted with the Iraq war than they ever were with Vietnam. There are already many in the U.S. who are blaming Israel – the influence of AIPAC, the neocon Zionists like Wolfowitz, etc. for getting us into this mess. Joe Lieberman could not get the Democratic nomination for Senate last year (even though he won election as an independent) because a lot of Democrats suspect him of divided loyalties and making foreign policy in the interest of Israel instead of America.
A referendum like this would constitute a huge public relations offensive on the part of the Palestinians that would add to this movement, and it would do it in the right way – not as anti-Jewish or even anti-Israel, but as pro-peace, democracy and human rights. Public opinion is your most powerful weapon, especially American public opinion. I am working here on that end. Your job, if you like this idea, would be educating and persuading the Palestinian people. For this to work, they must get solidly behind a leader who can demonstrate in the eyes of the world a firm commitment to nonviolent struggle for equality – a Mandela, a Gandhi, a Martin Luther King.
They must put away their weapons. Every rocket and suicide bomb only helps the Israelis – they have to see this, and I know it is very hard, given what Israel is doing to your poor people. Another important thing to do is to unite in this call for democracy with Israeli Arab “citizens”. These folks, of course, know that a non-Jewish person is not and cannot be real citizen. Recently they have written a proposed constitution that you could use as a model for the referendum. (see article) Of course, there are also many Jewish citizens of Israel who reject Zionism as a perversion of Judaism (the Neturei Karta) with whom you can also make common cause. Another argument I am using with Jews worldwide is that Israel’s behavior is actually causing a groundswell of anti-Semitism in the world and that they should therefore renounce Zionism. American Jews should make a point of saying that they are American citizens and dissociate themselves from Israel.
Many different forms of government can be democratic, provided that they embody basic principles of freedom and equality. This form will no doubt be unique in the case of Israel/Palestine. One suspects that some form of federal, bi-national system will be worked out. The important thing is the army. There has to be one integrated army of Israelis and Palestinians in order for either people to have any confidence in the government. Currently Arab “citizens” of Israel are not required to serve in the Israeli army. As real citizens, they would serve in the Israeli army in proportion to their numbers in the population. I think there will never be peace as long as the Israeli army is a Jewish army for “Jewish self-defense. There has to be one integrated army with a monopoly of force. This again must be a basic part of the constitution. Given that, there can be political subdivisions of all kinds – city and regional governments with local police, etc. elected by people living in the region, some majority Arab, some majority Jewish.
Let me know what you think.
Tony Wicher
From: one-democratic-state@yahoogroups.com
On Behalf Of amani aburahma
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2007 5:27 AM
To: one-democratic-state@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [one-democratic-state] massege from Gaza
DearTony
thank you very much
may i tell you that i met with Dr. Haider Eaid from Gaza . he is really great and we agreed that we can make good job together . all of us . for our mission and for peace in the world.
I am really in bad need for your experience , delighted ideas and, inputs
waiting for your plan
best regards to you from me and my friends supporting (the one democratic state) in Gaza
have a nice day and please keep in touch
amani
Source: One
Democratic State