It is time for meaningful discourse on the Palestinian question

Yair Golan. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90

The Palestinian question has been the primary challenge for the Zionist movement over the past century. It has prevented Israel from becoming a normal state with recognized borders and has been a continuous source of misery and internal strife. The idea of a two-state solution, once the mainstream position among Israelis, now seems like an unrealistic, hopeless dream, especially in the wake of the horrors of October 7. Hopes for such a solution have reached new lows.

Following the collapse of the Oslo talks in the 1990s, when about 80% of Israelis supported a land-for-peace deal, and after two intifadas, most Israelis abandoned the two-state idea. Instead, they embraced the idea of maintaining the status quo and managing the conflict. This approach has resulted in a stalemate, with no solution in sight, no willingness to seek one, and no annexation of the occupied territories.

In the meantime, as a result of the Oslo negotiations, Palestinians gained full control over their education system. This has led to school curricula becoming a toxic machine of incitement and brainwashing from early childhood, portraying Israel as the root of all evils and responsible for all their misery.

October 7 shattered the belief that Israel could manage the situation by maintaining the status quo without pursuing a fundamental solution. Israelis were faced with the harsh reality that this approach was flawed, as Palestinians are unwilling to accept the status quo and will continue to fight for what they believe are their rights. Despite a noticeable shift to the right among the Israeli public, nearly two-thirds of Israelis now believe that military power alone is insufficient for ensuring Israel’s safety, and that a political solution is necessary.

As absurd as it may seem, the horrific massacre of October 7 could have a silver lining, as it has significantly heightened the urgency for Israelis to resolve the conflict. The two prevailing schools of thought that go beyond maintaining the status quo propose different visions:

1. Creating a demilitarized Palestinian state gradually, allowing Israel to maintain its security interests. This would involve establishing a regional security alliance with moderate Arab countries under the United States’ umbrella, or
2. Annexing the territories conquered in 1967 in a way that preserves Israel as a Jewish state, such as not granting citizenship to Arabs in those territories, potentially involving some form of transfer.

The problem is that Israel has not engaged in serious discourse regarding either of these visions. Many politicians are reluctant to present their ideas clearly, and those who do often make vague statements without a concrete roadmap. They tend to focus more on demonizing the opposition than on engaging in meaningful debate to gain support from Israelis for their plans.

Yair Golan’s entry into Israeli politics may transform this hopeless situation. A hero of that black Shabbat, Golan went into the Gaza envelope on October 7 to save Israelis fleeing from Hamas terrorists. He is regarded by many as a patriot and a brave man with good intentions. The former deputy chief of staff of the IDF, Golan was recently chosen to be the Chair of the united party of Meretz and Labor in Israel. As the leader of the new Democrats party, one of Golan’s core principles is achieving full separation from the Palestinians and ultimately pursuing a two-state solution.

Promoting the idea of a two-state solution in the current atmosphere in Israel presents significant challenges for Golan. How can he convince Israelis that a two-state solution is the most sustainable, long-term approach to achieving the secure Israel we all aspired to for 76 years?

Golan understands the challenges arising from the current Israeli psyche. In a recent online interview with Habonim Engaging in Dialogue (HED) – a diverse international Israel-focused educational program led by Stephen Pincus from Toronto – Golan emphasized the need to be practical and realistic when discussing peace negotiations with post-traumatic Israelis. He believes that controlling millions of Palestinians poses a real threat to Israel’s existence as a Jewish state, so his proposed formula includes civil separation from the Palestinians with retained security responsibilities. Golan is fully aware that Israel is in a dangerous neighborhood, where any sign of weakness can be exploited, and that there is currently no true partner on the Palestinian side. He reiterated the need to be very cautious when initiating reconciliation and moving towards an eventual two-state solution.

Golan suggested that Israel should first find an alternative to Hamas through a regional alliance that may include moderate Arab countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and some Palestinian presence, backed by the United States. This would garner global support for Israel to help rebuild Gaza and could lead to stronger security through a regional alliance and normalization. He suggested that Israel declare its proposed borders, including “swapped” areas, and believes that eventually, courageous Palestinian leaders will emerge as partners for reconciliation. Golan is confident he can convince Israelis that the borders he proposes would be safe and secure for Israel.

Yair Golan’s proposed solution to the conflict stands out as the only serious vision currently presented in the Israeli political arena. Despite his significant support, ranging between nine and ten seats in the Knesset, adding more substance to his vision could compel others to take a stand and present their own ideas, fostering a serious discourse among the Israeli public. Here are some suggestions:

1. Acknowledge Israelis’ Fears and Mistrust of Palestinians:

• Recognize the deep-seated fears and mistrust, especially after the October 7 events. Acknowledge the notion that most Gazans cooperated with Hamas, albeit some of whom had no choice even if they did not support them. Recognize the hate and barbarism that Israelis experienced, which reflects years of toxic brainwashing.
• Consider redefining the term “two-state solution” to imply a long road to an independent, free Palestinian entity that must prove its peaceful intentions before any solution can be implemented.

2. Develop a Clear, Detailed Roadmap:

• Present a clear roadmap for a long-term solution, specifying that a future Palestinian state is strictly conditional on principles such as:
  • Removal of Hamas and other extreme factions from the occupied territories.
  • Full iron-clad demilitarization, with zero tolerance for any breaches.
  • Implementation of reverse incitement among Palestinians, e.g., through their education system and media, and joint engagement programs with Israelis.

 3. Instigate Broad Public Discourse:

• Challenge other Israeli political parties to present their own roadmaps for solving the conflict and debate them in a civilized manner. Ensure they address the issue and present a detailed proposed roadmap rather than dismissing Palestinians as no-partners. For example, parties that want to annex the occupied territories, would need to explain how exactly they will do it and what would be the consequences.
• Instead of shunning the extreme right or resorting to name-calling, engage them respectfully in debate and challenge them to present their roadmap to the public.

4. position the Political Divide:

• Shift the focus from the left-right divide that was encouraged by Netanyahu’s coalition to the more relevant divide between liberals and radicals. This fact-based perspective may appeal more to Israelis than the current amorphous divide between the anti-Netanyahu faction, AKA left leaning, and the pro-Netanyahu faction, AKA right leaning.

By considering these points, Golan can make a more compelling case for his vision and potentially shift public opinion towards a more viable, long-term solution for Israel’s security and peace.

Note: The next HED session will be this Sunday July 28, 1PM EDT or 8PM Israel: Lessons of Hope from Tragic October 7 Stories – see details at  https://habo2020.com/home/habonim-hed-presentations/