The leaderless path will hurt both sides
Published under Israel, Middle East, Mideast Negotiations, Palestine Mar 18, 2013Ron Ben Yishai described in this piece a 4-phase Palestinian plan to achieve Statehood without having to give up the right of return or recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people or otherwise end claims. This may end up being the only way to get to a Palestinian state given the lack of leadership on the Israeli and Palestinian sides. That plan is arguably superior to the status quo. But it is far inferior to a negotiated resolution where both sides can improve their position through compromise, and where both peoples’ can fulfill their aspirations and build vibrant societies. Absent a negotiated agreement, I fear that maximalism on both sides will continue to cause violence. Without an agreement where two peoples achieve two states, the region will be balkanized and condemned to ethnic violence for decades or centuries.
