Confederation - Five Way: Egypt-Israel-Jordan-Palestine

Submitted by Robert (United States), Sep 25, 2018 at 10:44

Dear Daniel Pipes,

I read your exchanges with Martin Sherman, and that gave me a better idea where you stand on "Victory."

I don't agree with you on your particular position where you say that you are not an "Israeli general" and therefore will not specify strategic or tactical policies. Once again, I think the metaphor of "victory" is misleading. "Victory" essentially occurred in 1967; the solution now is POLITICAL, not MILITARY. And you are better suited to come up with proposals than any "general." In particular, the "Front" isn't even on the armistice (seize-fire) lines of 1949 and 1967. In particular, for example, you are an expert on Islam, Political Islam, and the aftermath of the Arab Spring. You know, for example what the "failed" Arab Spring has done to the Arab, Muslim, and European demographics, and to its popular and ideological views. So you are in a much more informed position to make Political (particularly regarding Sovereignty) recommendations.

In that (above) regard I challenge to respond to a consideration of CONFEDERATION. Abbas reportedly has said in the last week or so that he isn't adverse to Confederation with Jordan if Israel is a part of it.

Now with consideration of the "facts on the ground" I imagine that Egypt too be included in such a Confederation with special responsibilities for Gaza. (I remember that you expressed this idea yourself elsewhere). There is a question about an Airport and Seaport for Gaza; there is the prior rule by Egypt over Gaza before 1967, and there is a similarity in culture between Egypt and Gaza - not so with the West Bank, which before 1967 was ruled by Jordan since 1949).

The idea of Confederation should remind us of the United States in which the individual states retain some Sovereignty that's independent of the whole Federal Union. Similarly, Israel should refrain from assuming full sovereignty over Gaza where not a single Israeli (or Jew) resides. However, in the West Bank there are continuous Arab Palestinian villages which are more naturally associated with Jordan, culturally and even politically. Furthermore, Israel will never allow Gaza and the West Bank to be Continuous territoriality because that would require the splitting off of the Negev in the South from the rest of Israel in the North. But Palestinians will want to move freely between Gaza and the Arab villages in the West Bank.

Martin Sherman's idea of re-settlement of Palestinians outside of Israel-Palestine is unrealistic certainly in the short term. But in the long term, Palestinians will be economically by education (as many already are) ideally suited to rebuilding the ancient homelands of the Arabs in Damascus and Baghdad. As you know, these two cities were far more important in the heydays of the Arab Empires than either Mecca or Medina were (religious cities from the perspective of the biography of Muhammad). Similarly, Jerusalem at best has only a religious significance - like places in Iraq do for Iranian Shea. Or the Iranian Bahai Faithful and their shrine in Haifa, Israel.

Below is Martin Sherman's critique of CAROLINE GLICK's book ("The Israel Solution"?, if I recall correctly).

From the Palestinian perspective, as viewed by us outsiders, there are 2 strategically extremely important factors to consider: (1) Gaza is ruled by Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is mostly considered a Terrorist organization, except by Turkey, Qatar, Egypt.... And it looks like there will not be full submission to Palestinian Authority under Abbas any time soon. (2) Abbas is said to be aging and ill, so that his relatively weak but dictatorial rule will not last long, and his unknown successor will only bring uncertainty upon assuming office. These two strategic factors means that - as in any game - the next move is in Israel's corner. Yet you are an American, and it is your government's three (3) agents, Kushner, Greenblatt, and Friedman who are making the moves ("Deal of the Century"). No of these three Americans are Generals. Neither do the have any Diplomatic, or even "Historical," experience, as you have. So, "General" Daniel Papers, will you please reconsider reviving or editing your previous views of some sort of Confederation for the Palestinians, especially for those who will not move to rebuild the Arab Empire recently but quite briefly, re-established by ISIS in Iraq (Baghdad) and Syria (Damascus)?

"My New Year Appeal to Caroline Glick – Rethink 'The Israeli Solution'"

"Glick's prescription for a "A One-State Plan for Peace in the Middle East" will jeopardize the Zionist enterprise no less than the two-state paradigm, which she rightly repudiates with great force and eloquence."

Dr. Martin Sherman, 9/13/2018

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/22732
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Generic/Generic/SendPrint?print=1&type=1&item=22732

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