Palestinian Self-Governance: Ten Essential Principles

The true measure of a nation’s success lies not just in its ability to achieve independence but in its capacity to build a just, equitable, and thriving society for all its citizens. This principle is crucial when considering Vice President Kamala Harris’s insistence on Palestinian self-determination following her meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Self-Determination and Historical Context

The Principle of Self-Determination

The principle of self-determination has reshaped the world since World War II, leading to the creation of numerous new states. The outcomes have been mixed, offering valuable lessons on the paths to success and the pitfalls to avoid.

Examples of Self-Determination

Eritrea: A Cautionary Tale

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 but has since struggled with authoritarian rule, human rights abuses, and limited economic development. The lack of inclusive institutions and respect for human rights has hindered its progress, leading to widespread poverty and international isolation. Eritrea’s experience serves as a cautionary tale of how self-determination can fail without strong governance, respect for human rights, and inclusive development. According to Human Rights Watch, Eritrea remains one of the most repressive states in the world, with severe restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and religion.

Israel: A Model of Success

In contrast, since its establishment in 1948, modern Israel has developed into a technologically advanced, economically prosperous, and militarily strong state. Despite ongoing conflict and regional tensions, it has maintained a vibrant democracy and robust civil society. Several factors contributed to Israel’s success:

• Inclusive Governance: Israel’s democratic institutions ensure representation and participation from diverse segments of society. The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, includes members from various ethnic and religious backgrounds.
• Human Rights: Israel upholds human rights, fostering a society where individuals feel protected and valued. Organizations like the Association for Civil Rights in Israel work to safeguard civil liberties and human rights.
• Rule of Law: A strong legal framework has built trust in institutions and prevented corruption. Transparency International ranks Israel higher than many of its neighbors in terms of corruption perception.
• Economic Development: Investment in education, innovation, and infrastructure has fueled economic growth. Israel’s “Silicon Wadi” is a hub for high-tech industries and startups.
• Commitment to Peace: Despite challenges, Israel has continually sought peaceful resolutions and maintained strong defense capabilities. Initiatives like the Abraham Accords illustrate efforts to normalize relations with neighboring Arab countries.

Opportunities for Palestinian Self-Determination

From 1948 to 1967

During this period, the territories known today as the West Bank and Gaza Strip were controlled by Jordan and Egypt, respectively. Despite this, there was limited to no movement toward Palestinian self-determination or independence of any sort.

Since the Oslo Accords

The Oslo Accords of the 1990s were a significant milestone, providing the Palestinian Authority (PA) with limited self-governance over large parts of the West Bank and all of Gaza. This was a critical opportunity for Palestinian leadership to demonstrate their capability to govern and build a future based on self-determination.

Positive Steps:

• Establishment of the Palestinian Authority with governance structures.
• International aid and development projects aimed at building infrastructure and institutions.

Challenges and Failures:

• Internal divisions between Fatah and Hamas, leading to governance challenges and conflict. The 2006 election results led to a split, with Hamas controlling Gaza and Fatah controlling parts of the West Bank.
• Corruption and mismanagement within the PA, undermining trust and development efforts. Transparency International has highlighted significant corruption issues within the PA.
• Continued conflict with Israel, impacting stability and economic development. The Second Intifada (2000-2005) resulted in significant loss of life and economic disruption.
• Ongoing support for incitement in education curricula and the media, including providing financial support for individuals who commit acts of terrorism against Israel and their families. This has fostered an environment of hostility and undermined efforts toward peaceful coexistence.

Principles for Successful Self-Determination

For self-determination to lead to a better future, Palestinian leadership must embrace the following principles:

1. Strengthen Democratic Institutions:
   • Hold free and fair elections regularly.
   • Ensure that all political factions have a voice and representation in governance.
2. Promote Human Rights:
   • Protect freedom of speech, assembly, and religion.
   • Establish independent human rights commissions to monitor and address abuses.
3. Establish Rule of Law:
   • Implement a transparent and fair legal system.
   • Fight corruption by enforcing anti-corruption laws and establishing oversight bodies.
4. Foster Economic Development:
   • Create policies that encourage local and international investment.
   • Develop infrastructure projects to create jobs and improve living standards.
5. Commit to Non-Violence and Peaceful Resolution:
   • Denounce terrorism and incitement to violence.
   • Engage in continuous dialogue with Israel and other neighboring countries to resolve conflicts peacefully.
6. Enhance Education Systems:
   • Revise educational curricula to promote peace, tolerance, and coexistence.
   • Invest in higher education and vocational training to equip youth with necessary skills.
7. Improve Healthcare Services:
   • Expand access to healthcare and improve the quality of medical services.
   • Implement public health initiatives to address widespread health issues.
8. Promote Gender Equality:
   • Ensure equal rights and opportunities for women in all aspects of society.
   • Encourage female participation in politics, business, and civil society.
9. Strengthen Civil Society:
   • Support the development of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that focus on social, economic, and political issues.
   • Foster a culture of volunteerism and community service.
10. Ensure Transparency and Accountability:
    • Publicize government budgets and expenditures.
    • Engage in regular communication with the public about government actions and policies.

Steps for the International Community and the United States

To help Palestinian society and leadership transform into one ready for self-determination, the international community, and the United States specifically, can take several steps:

• Support for Institution Building: Provide technical assistance and funding for developing robust and inclusive institutions.
• Promotion of Human Rights: Advocate for and support initiatives that promote human rights and freedoms within Palestinian territories.
• Economic Aid and Development: Invest in economic development projects that create jobs and improve living standards.
• Encouragement of Peace Efforts: Facilitate dialogue and negotiations aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Conclusion

Vice President Kamala Harris’s call for Palestinian self-determination highlights the importance of these principles. By learning from the successes and failures of other nations, Palestinian leadership can take meaningful steps toward a peaceful and prosperous future, benefiting both Palestinians and Israelis.

The vice president could better advance the aspirations she embraces by insisting the Palestinians take meaningful, measurable steps toward building the institutions that can support self-determination. Whether it takes Palestinian society years or decades to demonstrate its ability to take meaningful steps is primarily up to the Palestinians. International aid can be squandered, hijacked by corrupt leaders, or genuinely invested to create the foundation for a successful, prosperous, peaceful future. The decision is up to the Palestinians themselves.