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| Volume XIV, Summer 2007, Number 2 |
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ABSTRACT
A Federation of Palestine and Jordan: A Chance for Peace?
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| Harald D. Frederiksen |
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Mr. Frederiksen, formerly head of the Water Resources Advisory Unit for the World Bank’s South and East Regions following management positions in two international consulting firms, is a private consultant in the field of water resources.
There is increasing pressure to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict. The fundamental issue has been the form of the Palestine entity: an independent sovereign state, an “autonomous” region under Israeli sovereignty or an integral part of a binational Israel. Israeli leaders and the conservative parties seek the goal of a Greater Israel having a common border with the Kingdom of Jordan. Others in Israel pursue an agreement creating a subservient entity under Israel that would evolve into a fully incorporated area of Israel. The Palestinians seek a viable, sovereign State of Palestine, independent of Israel, which would be free to direct the development and utilization of its resources and engage with the international community.
The 1947 UN General Assembly Resolution 181specified a division of historical Palestine into two independent sovereign states: a Jewish state and a Palestinian state. Provisions stipulated that there would be no biases. No other options were debated. Even the legitimacy of the UN resolution to divide this long-settled land was accepted by a margin of only one vote.
International politics — particularly U.S. actions — and the acquiescence of the international community over decades have granted Israel de facto power to decide the fate of the resident Palestinians. Today the international community must face its responsibility to resume its indisputable role and to decide this basic issue — and then resolve the associated issues equitably. Otherwise, the deteriorating human and security situation in these lands and the bordering countries will produce prolonged and severe repercussions.
Two options will be described that represent different forms of a Palestinian entity: one the goal of Israel, the other that of the Palestinians. Any program to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict also must fully address other issues affecting Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied territories. The return of land and water resources and compensation for the burden of refugees driven out by Israel will be discussed with other measures included in the proposal calling for the federation of a sovereign State of Palestine with the Kingdom of Jordan.
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