Menachem Klein on Olmert, Bush, and the Prospect of a 2-State Solution

Menachem Klein addressed an event co-sponsored by Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, Ameinu, Meretz USA, the Village Temple, and the Union of Progressive Zionists. Below is a summary of his remarks.

One state vs. two states is not a debate in the peace camp – between those who believe the two-state solution is still valid, like me, because I don’t see any other real option, and those who are in my opinion desperate and suggest one state. The one-state idea comes forward whenever two-state talks are stuck. One state is not realistic for two reasons: first, among Israelis and Palestinians, most people support their own nation-state, not one state. There are a few who want one state, but they are very few. If you say we’ll have peace and harmony in one state, I would say no. If you want to know why, check out Neve Shalom, where there is a problematic partnership, it’s not easy even for two liberal, open-minded groups, and both are citizens of the Israeli state.

A one-state solution means that the state itself is either equal or blind. Either fully equal, with two heads in every position, regardless of demography, a state which is blind to the color and nationality of its groups and treats citizens and individuals regardless. I don’t see Israelis agreeing to such a state. I don’t believe Israel will change such as to leave behind Zionism and the dream of a state for the Jewish people. So one state can be but only for a short time, and will collapse like South Africa. I don’t see Israelis giving full citizenship to Palestinians. Israel will rule over them. This is not the one state that followers of the one-state solution dream about. That’s not a solution, it’s a different type of occupation.

There is a way to evacuate settlements. The main reason the voice for one state is so strong is because they argue the settlements are too many. But they can be evacuated. I read about the negotiations between the French and Algerians, the French didn’t want to give it all up, and tried to reserve a strip for themselves. It didn’t work.

Convergence is very problematic. I think they will end the occupation because the cost is too high. Sharon was forced – the cost of holding Gaza was too high. Olmert says that for some parts of the West Bank the cost is too high.

Now the majority of Israelis accept the idea of dividing Jerusalem. Same with the settlements. After the reaction of the settlers to the evacuation of Gaza and Amona, people stopped sympathizing with settlers so much.

On the Palestinian side, Hamas is changing. Hamas is caught in its own contradiction which brings them close to endorsing the Arab peace plan. This morning, Abu Mazen put an ultimatum to Hamas – he gave them ten days to accept the prisoners’ peace document or he will put it to a referendum.

Ehud Olmert was forced by Bush to negotiations – to meet Abu Mazen and talk to him. Americans want the talks to have final-status elements, Olmert said only the road map elements. This isn’t good for Abu Mazen. Olmert has said that Abu Mazen is a waste of time to talk to so Abu Mazen turned to Hamas to work it out.