This sort of arrangement, where there are two sovereign states, with an open border between them, and close co-operation economically and in other ways, is often called a confederation. Since we are starting with two states, such an arrangement is essential, at least as a transitional arrangement while the two parties work out an agreement on their future together. My view is that a full union will be more appropriate in the long run, for reasons which I explain in the the One-State-Two-Nations Proposal.
One point on which I differ with you is the question of the border. The Green Line gives 78% of the land to Israel, and 22% to Palestine. Given that the Jewish and Arab populations are roughly equal in number, this would be an injustice to the Palestinians of monumental proportion, and could not lead to a contiguous and viable Palestinian state. Palestine needs much more territory than that, which can come from the Negev.
Javed: "Israel will never agree". I have talked to Israelis about this, and the best estimate is that it will be 50 years before they agree to anything. I am less pessimistic than that, but I do not expect quick agreement. In fact, both sides will gain. They will both have sovereignty over the entire land through the State parliament, albeit on a shared basis. Jews and Arabs will both have the right to return, and will be able to settle anywhere within the land, subject to only a few restrictions designed to preserve the two national identities. No other proposed 'solution' achieves this. Please read the complete proposal for more information about how this would work.
Zla'od: there will not be 'two sides'. The State will be controlled by the parliament which is elected by all its citizens. I suppose there will be a majority of Arab parliamentarians. If this proved to be a problem (I don't think it will, because the state-wide matters considered by the state parliament have nothing to do with Arabness or Jewishness) then it is possible to create voting systems that give more equal representation.
This sort of arrangement, where there are two sovereign states, with an open border between them, and close co-operation economically and in other ways, is often called a confederation. Since we are starting with two states, such an arrangement is essential, at least as a transitional arrangement while the two parties work out an agreement on their future together. My view is that a full union will be more appropriate in the long run, for reasons which I explain in the the One-State-Two-Nations Proposal.
One point on which I differ with you is the question of the border. The Green Line gives 78% of the land to Israel, and 22% to Palestine. Given that the Jewish and Arab populations are roughly equal in number, this would be an injustice to the Palestinians of monumental proportion, and could not lead to a contiguous and viable Palestinian state. Palestine needs much more territory than that, which can come from the Negev.
Javed: "Israel will never agree". I have talked to Israelis about this, and the best estimate is that it will be 50 years before they agree to anything. I am less pessimistic than that, but I do not expect quick agreement. In fact, both sides will gain. They will both have sovereignty over the entire land through the State parliament, albeit on a shared basis. Jews and Arabs will both have the right to return, and will be able to settle anywhere within the land, subject to only a few restrictions designed to preserve the two national identities. No other proposed 'solution' achieves this. Please read the complete proposal for more information about how this would work.
Zla'od: there will not be 'two sides'. The State will be controlled by the parliament which is elected by all its citizens. I suppose there will be a majority of Arab parliamentarians. If this proved to be a problem (I don't think it will, because the state-wide matters considered by the state parliament have nothing to do with Arabness or Jewishness) then it is possible to create voting systems that give more equal representation.