OPINION: Should Israeli Settlements expand in the West Bank?

Should Israeli Settlements expand in the West Bank? It’s a controversial question. As a Middle East Studies scholar, Israelis and Palestinians need a state where both parties are equally represented in politic decisions. Moreover, I think the settlements should be integrated such as America has integrated communities, work among other communities and aim to develop and support a culture of tolerance. You do not have to like everybody but respect is fundamental to any type of successful interpersonal relationship. At the end of the day, land disputes are about greed and as someone who comes from a heritage of diaspora, I understand that both groups have gone through challenges as well as defeats, but there comes a time when you cannot simply go off the past. Be present for the future and learn from the past to make way for a better tomorrow. This is that moment for Israelis and Palestinians to come together to set up healthier relationships between each other. At the end of the day, you cannot take the land with you after death but you can work together now so generations following can truly reap the benefits of the land together. Below are great videos from Vox.com. One explains the history of Israeli settlements ( Israeli settlements explained in 8 minutes) and the second gives first hand encounters from those known as Israeli settlers.


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Government Legitimacy: Protecting Human Rights In The Arab World

By Briana Booker

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a government legitimacy conflict.

Why?

The protection of human rights by government is not being upheld.

A rule of law that protects human rights of Palestinians and Israelis has implementation potential (whether a one state or two state solution).

Which statehood would truly legitimize Palestinians and Israelis’ human rights?

There are two proposed state solutions. One is a bi-national state where the two groups agree to power-sharing but have distinctive collective identities within one polity.

The other proposed solution is a single democratic polity where ethnic and national distinction would not exist between civilians.

What state do I believe would work best in the long-term?

I think the single democratic polity without ethnic distinction would work best because it removes collective entitlements and focuses more on personal rights. Individual rights are components of universal human rights we can all appreciate. It’s America morals.

Individual rights are components of universal human rights we can all appreciate.

I feel an Israeli rule over a Palestinian majority is out of the question. Peaceful resolution can never come from schemes of coercion.

Prominent Zionist leaders did favor a Jewish rule over Palestinians such as Chaim Weizmann and Chaim Arlozoroff.

This idea reminds me of racial movements and separatism in America.

I do believe a well-balanced political institution of Palestinians and Israelis is an effective conflict resolution.

This political process can begin with training the youth to focus on social/political compromise for the greater good.

If neither group has over representation in political institutions, ambiguity about ill intentions towards one group could be prevented.

The core problem between Palestinians and Israelis is accepting unilateral actions as the only means of getting their needs met.

Unilateral actions are the reason bi-nationalism has failed in history.

If human rights are the focus, it could legitimize the needs of both groups. Empathy for others can transform foes into friends.

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