By Janet Ekstract
NEW YORK – On Thursday, in a speech to the UN at the 77th UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he favored the two-state solution for Israel.
Though Lapid’s speech was praised by world leaders, the problem inherent in his speech was that he never mentioned how a two-state solution will benefit Palestinians. Lapid said a two-state solution “is good for Israelis and Israeli children.” That’s exactly where the problem lies: solely focusing on the Israeli position without once mentioning Palestinians.
What the Israeli PM didn’t mention is Palestinian occupation and how Israel plans to right the wrongs perpetrated on Palestinians after decades of oppression at the hands of the Israeli Army and Israeli government.
Denial has played a huge role in keeping Palestinians “in their place.” That’s denial by Israeli authorities that they’ve been part of any wrongdoing toward Palestinians.
The evidence demonstrates that simply is not true. The question is what are they willing to do about it?
Any NGO, analyst and expert on the region knows the political implications involved. Lapid faces November elections with his opposition Benyamin Netanyahu, who having faced corruption charges along with his wife, is still able to run again for prime minister.
Netanyahu has done nothing to promote a two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis. Under his reign, unlawful Jewish settlements were built on Palestinian land and myriads of legitimate Palestinian homes were ruthlessly bulldozed with the owners having no legal recourse. This happened despite promises to the Obama administration by Netanyahu that Israel would stop settlement building.
So, when the current Israeli PM suddenly proposes he is in favor of a two-state solution – observers, analysts and world leaders must ask this burning question: Who.stands to benefit the most from such a proposal? And what exactly is Israel willing to do, even sacrifice, to make an egalitarian two-state solution a reality?
Leaders talk a ‘good game’ when they are given a UN podium. But it remains to be seen just exactly what Lapid and his government would be willing to do to create a two-state solution that is not only fair but inclusive in every sense of the word for Palestinians, not just Israelis.
As political analysts and experts know all too well, a good indication for the future points to the past. Israel’s track record is stained with blood and broken promises. World leaders must seriously question Lapid’s intentions when he proposes a two-state solution.
Who is Lapid proposing it for? Will the two-state solution include Palestinian autonomy with support from Israel, the U.S. and the international community? Granted, a two-state solution and sudden financial support for a Palestinian state can never make up for or right the wrongs Palestinians have endured for decades and continue to endure in Gaza.
But with a genuine contriteness from the Israeli government and a commitment to end illegal settlements with a fair division of land that meets Palestinian demands and preserves their rights -a two-state solution could benefit both sides.
The issue that remains is what any Israeli government would be willing to do to make the necessary sacrifices to move toward peace. Palestinians have sacrificed enough, it’s time for Israel to step up to the plate.
If Lapid is serious about an inclusive proposal, he could go down in history as the ultimate peace-broker. That might be exactly what he wants but for that to happen, he must be willing to give not just take.
