MK Zevulun Orlev (HaBayit HaYehudi) has adopted The Israeli Initiative's solution to the Palestinian problem.

Orlev participated in a series of interviews, in which Israel National News (Arutz 7) spoke to people involved in Israeli politics, seeking alternatives to a two-state solution. Orlev presented his vision for Israel, in which he recognizes that there is a relatively large population of Arabs in Judea and Samaria that deserve a nationality. However, since a Palestinian State is not at all realistic, we should look to Jordan for a solution.

Orlev explained that Jordan needs to take responsibility for the Arab residents of the region and grant them citizenship. The Arabs of Judea and Samaria will have the right to vote and use Jordanian currency, and Israel will be responsible for regional security. In this way, Israel will maintain its right to Judea and Samaria, but will prevent the establishment of a terrorist state.

The Israeli Initiative's ideas have now been adopted by one of Israel's veteran politicians. Although The Israeli Initiative was the official plan of the National Union faction in the previous Knesset, which Orlev had been a member of, this is the first time he has expressed public support for it. Until now, only MK Aryeh Eldad had mentioned Jordan as a possible solution. Orlev speaking up is a major step towards convincing the general public to oppose a two-state solution.

Although The Israeli Initiative is as relevant to the political left as it is to the right, we have recently seen many right-wing politicians trying to raise its points in public. An alternative plan for Israel is important as it has ever been.

To hear the interview (in Hebrew):

http://www.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/200360

In a different interview, this time on Israel's official radio station Reshet Bet, ideas similar to the Initiative's were raised. Dr. Guy Behor, a known publicist and the head of Middle Eastern Studies in the Lauder School of Government, Strategy and Diplomacy at the Inter-Disciplinary Center in Herziliya, addressed a number of current issues.

According to Dr. Behor, much of the Palestinian problem comes from the fact that Israel took full responsibility for solving the problem, thus removing the "Palestinian burden" from the Arab countries. He explained that Israel should recognize the Palestinian problem as one of all the Arab countries, and not just Israel's. All of these states are threatened by the extreme Shi'ite Muslims, which could cause the Middle East to deteriorate into religious fundamentalism and turn the whole region into a nest of terror. Therefore, as long as the Palestinian problem is not solved, everyone is in danger.

Dr. Behor said that the solution is in renewing the Arab countries' responsibility for the Palestinian problem. The first step in this direction, in his opinion, was the disengagement, in which responsibility for Gaza was transferred to the Egyptians. Leaving Gaza clearly separated the area from Israel, while problems on Gaza's southern border led Egyptians to increase its responsibility for the Arab population in Gaza.

The next step, Dr. Behor explained, should be towards the Jordanians. Dr. Behor's ideas are similar to the Initiative's, in that he thinks Jordan does not want a Palestinian State, and is actually afraid of one. They also understand that building a state in Judea and Samaria is not possible on that territory and with that population. A Palestinian State could be a gateway for terror organizations that will bring destruction to the whole region. The first victim of this situation will be Jordan, which is threatened by any "Palestinian" revolution.

In addition, Dr. Behor believes that the Allenby Bridge should be opened to Palestinians, without Israeli supervision, thus pressuring the Jordanians to take responsibility for their own situation. This will force Jordan to deal with the problematic realities of the region, and try to initiate its own solutions, rather than relying on the solution Israel has been trying to promote for 20 years, with no success.

The writers of The Israeli Initiative met with Dr. Behor as a part of its research, and were greatly helped by his understanding of the Arab world and the Israeli-Arab conflict.

To hear the interview (in Hebrew):

http://www.iba.org.il/Media.aspx?recorded=14&starting=Matzav


As always, we're happy to hear your reactions and answer your questions.

Sincerely,

Yoav Sorek
Manager, The Israeli Initiative
www.Israelinitiative.com