This is off the subject of my project, but it's something that I've thought about for a number of years now, and it seems as if the time might be right to consider it out loud. This is just a very rough sketch, but it gives the gist.

Feel free to comment and/or share.

Charly


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AN IDEA FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The idea which is offered here will sound very weird at first hearing. It is intended in all seriousness, and I think it might actually be workable.

The broad outline is simple: offer Israel and Palestine provisional US statehood, by means of a Constitutional amendment that would authorize a new territorial status within the US system somewhat analogous to that of a foster child under ordinary family law.

The two new foster-states would be exempted from the 2nd amendment and would continue to be subject to the immigration laws as if they were foreign states. They would each maintain their own security forces, but national defense would be integrated into the US chain of command.

An international agency for resettlement would be established to resolve all outstanding claims regarding real estate. The aim would be to resettle all the existing refugees in Palestine, and to return all the Israeli settlers to Israel unless they are willing to accept Palestinian governance on mutually acceptable terms.  This would be expensive, because in the end these matters will only be settled by insuring that all parties come out ahead. It will be worth the expense, and our model should be the generosity and foresight of the Marshall plan.

The two foster-states would have special representation in Congress. One Senator each, and representatives equal to one half the number of representatives that would be due to them based on the combined population of both foster states (rounded up to the nearest even number), with their representatives being in addition to the current number. They would not have a say in constitutional amendments, presidential elections, impeachments, or judicial appointments outside their territory, or in the ratification of treaties not directly concerned with their own territory or national defense.

Two new cabinet officials would be added to the executive branch, one from each foster state. Let's call them Advocates. They would be appointed by the president subject to ratification by the state legislature, and the Senate.

This status would be for 50 years, at which time it would be subject to renewal, modification, or termination by a plebiscite. Neither state would be admissible to full statehood without the removal of all Constitutional exemptions.

Taxation would be localized and embody the principle of revenue sharing. Half of all taxes and revenues collected within the foster-states would be pooled and divided equally between them, with the Federal government matching the amount 1 for 1. The intent is that both foster-states will enjoy generous aid for the duration.

A similar arrangement could be offered to Afghanistan.

* * *