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How many does the world really have? By Alexander Yakobson Tags: Alexander Yakobson How many binational states are there in the democratic world? Since the Arab leadership in Israel has officially adopted the demand to turn Israel into a binational state, it would be wise to examine how widespread this type of regime is and to find out how successful it is. One can find two, perhaps three, examples of binational democracies. The most prominent of these are Canada and Belgium. These countries are characterized by constant tension and difficult relations between their two main national components, to the point of endangering their existence. French-speaking Quebec is always on the verge of seceding from Canada, with one foot out the door. In Belgium, the Flemish have stripped the central government of most of its authority and would break up the country were it not for the difficulty involved in dividing up Brussels, where the Flemish- and French-speaking populations are intertwined. The French-speaking minority in Flanders complains of severe cultural oppression, as does the English-speaking minority in Quebec. No democratic nation-state would today dare to injure the cultural rights of a national minority in this manner. Of course, there is no need to feel sorry for the Canadians and the Belgians: After all, these are two thriving Western countries, whose national tensions do not reach the point of violence. (That said, during the 1970s, under the Liberals, Canada did experience a brief period of violence, emergency laws and administrative detentions.) Still, it is doubtful that these two examples could serve as the poster children for the binational idea. Advertisement Some categorize Switzerland as a binational state comprised of German- and French-speakers (as well as speakers of Italian and Romansh). These groups have been living together in the same country for about 800 years. During this period, they have learned how to get along, more or less, and to identify with the country they share. It is actually more accurate to call Switzerland a bilingual (or multilingual) people than a binational state. Switzerland, unlike Belgium, does not have two national sub-governments. In order not to be petty, however, we can let the proponents of binationalism keep Switzerland as a consolation prize. There is thus one example of a successful binational state, which was established centuries before the age of modern nationalism. Canada and Belgium, in contrast, which were created in the 19th century, operate as binational states only with great difficulty. The binational experiments of the 20th century ended in resounding failure. Cyprus, which was founded as a binational state, broke up quickly and very violently, and ultimately the island was divided in the wake of war. Czechoslovakia split into two nation-states when democracy returned. The last vestige of Yugoslav multinationalism is Bosnia, which is riven between two nations that NATO forces are attempting to hold together. The binational idea in the West is thus far from a success story. Now there are calls to realize this idea in the Middle East, where, as we all know, the refreshing winds of binationality are blowing. It is obvious that this idea represents explicit abandonment of the principle of two states for two peoples - a principle whose application requires two separate nation-states, one Jewish-Israel and the other Palestinian-Arab. However, when it is finally becoming clear that some of those who for decades spoke of "two states for two peoples" are not actually willing to have two states for two countries in Eretz Israel, it is difficult not to wonder whether now, when they are speaking about binationalism, their true intention is indeed a binational state. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hitler parody Israeli YouTube Hitler parody infuriates Holocaust survivors. "Like a virgin" Will Virgin Mary TV spoof jeopardize Pope visit to Israel?   1.   The two-state solution is dead 10:05  |  Khalid 13/12/06   2.   Binational State Is Impossible 10:16  |  Terry 13/12/06   3.   Two state solution 10:31  |  Choni Davidowitz 13/12/06   4.   It is only Israels choice 10:32  |  Swiss (Dino) 13/12/06   5.   Yes, and that`s why ... 10:36  |  Andreas 13/12/06   6.   Are you afraid Khalid 10:44  |  Gina 13/12/06   7.   How many apartheid states does the world really have? 10:51  |  Natallie Durson 13/12/06   8.   Choni The Mare`s Nest Drawer 11:06  |  Rowan Berkeley 13/12/06   9.   A single solution or bust 11:13  |  sh 13/12/06   10.   Binational state - not on the table 11:23  |  Mannew 13/12/06   11.   MANAGING EXTERNALITIES 11:24  |  Yaela Katz 13/12/06   12.   Natalie Durson 11:30  |  Gina 13/12/06   13.   you forgot Israel 11:44  |  SD 13/12/06   14.   2 states no longer possible 11:54  |  jj burke 13/12/06   15.   Externalities - Yaela Katz 11:59  |  sh 13/12/06   16.   Binational state means another Arab middle eastern state 12:03  |  Shalom Freedman 13/12/06   17.   solution 12:07  |  Avi Yerushalmi 13/12/06   18.   To Yaela... 12:22  |  Jack 13/12/06   19.   The invisible problem . . . 12:26  |  revoltop 13/12/06   20.   ONE PALESTINIAN STATE FOR ALL IS THE SOLUTION.. 12:31  |  Jeremy 13/12/06   21.   #17 Avi, the problem with your solution 12:39  |  Johnboy 13/12/06   22.   #13 SD - yes, I agree 12:41  |  Johnboy 13/12/06   23.   What are the possibilities? 12:44  |  Mood 13/12/06   24.   Israel as a bi-national state. 12:49  |  sandra chitayat 13/12/06   25.   Gina 12:50  |  Mood 13/12/06   26.   no to a binational state, ever. 12:55  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 13/12/06   27.   2 states 12:55  |  Dan 13/12/06   28.   Jeremy - we`re watching them now 12:58  |  Gina 13/12/06   29.   2 states 13:05  |  Dan 13/12/06   30.   A successful binational State in the Far East 13:06  |  Amoz 13/12/06   31.   Binational or Two states ? 13:16  |  Wael Hendawi 13/12/06   32.   Reply to #10 13:21  |  Wael Hendawi 13/12/06   33.   18 & 15 - But don`t you think something has changed ? 13:24  |  Yaela Katz 13/12/06   34.   Against Binational state ? 13:26  |  Wael Hendawi 13/12/06   35.   Spelling out the solutions 13:35  |  Wael Hendawi 13/12/06   36.   The Flemings of Belgium speak DUTCH ! 13:52  |  Paul Henzen 13/12/06   37.   to # 1 13:58  |  YT 13/12/06   38.   UK`s not just bi-national, but multi-national 14:08  |  Michael 13/12/06   39.   There was a Mideast leader who implemted the one state solution 14:15  |  Joel Meyers 13/12/06   40.   # Khalid, Christians are players, too 14:24  |  Paul Henzen 13/12/06   41.   Henzen 14:38  |  sh 13/12/06   42.   Natalie Duston 14:41  |  Gabe1 13/12/06   43.   In many ways we already have one 14:44  |  Tzfonit 13/12/06   44.   Cipora. 15:01  |  Gabe1 13/12/06   45.   MORE FANCIFUL NONSENSE FROM HAARETZ 15:07  |  paul harris 13/12/06   46.   Facts On The Ground May Have The Answer Already 15:11  |  Yaakov Sullivan 13/12/06   47.   another binational state 15:15  |  tuairimiocht 13/12/06   48.   Johnboy #21 15:20  |  Avi Yerushalmi 13/12/06   49.   binational states 15:22  |  Bob Moss 13/12/06   50.   Gina#28...... YEAH, YOU SET THE FIRE AND WATCH! 15:25  |  Jeremy 13/12/06   51.   Well said tuairimiocht 15:26  |  sh 13/12/06   52.   choni great idea 15:30  |  michael 13/12/06   53.   To Tzfonit 15:35  |  pax 13/12/06   54.   PALS didn`t prove yet that they deserve AUTONOMY................. 15:49  |  Vittorio 13/12/06   55.   Three state solution 16:07  |  Herbert kaine 13/12/06   56.   Problem Is That The Arab Movement Seemingly... 16:16  |  Yosemite Sam 13/12/06   57.   Khalid 16:20  |  ODP 13/12/06   58.   Many more binational states 16:20  |  Eduard 13/12/06   59.   # 41 Dutch and Afrikaans are two separate languages 16:42  |  Paul Henzen 13/12/06   60.   2 state with a split up palestine? 16:46  |  Guy From NYC 13/12/06   61.   Guy from NYC 17:02  |  Noelene 13/12/06   62.   #68 A BETTER SOLUTION NY GUY IS BELOW 17:13  |  paul harris 13/12/06   63.   #59 Belgium 17:17  |  Eduard 13/12/06   64.   Bracha/Tzfonit#43 and the Final Solution 17:38  |  Gabe1 13/12/06   65.   Guy from New York (Post 60) 18:10  |  Johnny Weintraub 13/12/06   66.   How many does the world really have ? Too many ! 18:11  |  Ynakelowitz (Amazed) 13/12/06   67.   Why Would the Israeli Arab Want a Bi-National State? 18:12  |  massaraksh 13/12/06   68.   Almost every Western State is polynational 18:19  |  Tim 13/12/06   69.   # 63 Eduard - Belgium, the sequel... 18:54  |  Paul Henzen 13/12/06   70.   Last Letter to Gabe #64 18:54  |  Tzfonit/Bracha 13/12/06   71.   Two-state not dead: overlapping sovereignties 19:21  |  Paul Freedman 13/12/06   72.   You forgot a few... 19:22  |  Simcha 13/12/06   73.   #69 Paul Hentzen - Belgium 19:28  |  Eduard 13/12/06   74.   lets stop kidding ourselves 19:44  |  Mike 13/12/06   75.   # 73 Eduard - Many Flemings do not want `Belgium` 20:05  |  Paul Henzen 13/12/06   76.   Mannew, you`re a textbook case for Israeli 20:16  |  Ziad 13/12/06   77.   Gabe1, you belong to another group of 20:22  |  Ziad 13/12/06   78.   # 12 Gina - God has nothing to do with it 20:37  |  Leb 13/12/06   79.   Tzfonit #43, you are on the right track since 20:38  |  Ziad 13/12/06   80.   Israel is the eptome of what jews fight against 20:39  |  Tim 13/12/06   81.   there can be no democracy in a binational state 20:47  |  Nicolas 13/12/06   82.   sorry Paul ! # 36 20:50  |  charles 13/12/06   83.   Eduard and Paul 21:13  |  charles 13/12/06   84.   Uni-national Kosovo the model for Israel? 21:14  |  robin 13/12/06   85.   Power of the word `state` for far away places 21:17  |  TonyL 13/12/06   86.   Bracha/Tzfonit #70 21:18  |  Gabe1 13/12/06   87.   #73 Belgium again 21:36  |  Eduard 13/12/06   88.   # 75 Anti-Israel 21:40  |  Eduard 13/12/06   89.   Ziad #77 21:50  |  Gabe1 13/12/06   90.   Leb 21:51  |  Gina 13/12/06   91.   Binaitional dumb asses 21:51  |  Ron 13/12/06   92.   Cipora Julianna Kohn #26 21:53  |  Gina 13/12/06   93.   Tzfonit/Bracha #79 and SS 21:55  |  Gabe1 13/12/06   94.   Middle-Esat Confederation 22:17  |  Brian Freund 13/12/06   95.   a 3 State solution Palestine,Israel, BiNational 22:23  |  Mark 13/12/06   96.   French schools 22:28  |  charles 13/12/06   97.   # 82 Sorry, Charles... 22:33  |  Paul 13/12/06   98.   The woordenboek scam - Henzen 22:36  |  sh 13/12/06   99.   Eduard, Israel and Flanders again... 22:47  |  Paul Henzen 13/12/06   100.   Ron 91 you`re aguing that Israel should relocate elsewhere 22:50  |  Michael 13/12/06   101.   # 98 sh The 90% scam 22:59  |  Paul Henzen 13/12/06   102.   The more the Palestinians carry on... 23:04  |  Yonatan 13/12/06   103.   Johnny Weintraub: The negev 23:34  |  Guy From NYC 13/12/06   104.   Crusades are over no . . . . 23:37  |  revoltop 13/12/06   105.   Binationalism Means No Jews 23:39  |  J 13/12/06   106.   Re:Gina : Leb 23:40  |  Guy From NYC 13/12/06   107.   Guy From NYC 23:57  |  Gina 13/12/06   108.   arabs rejected binationalism in 1917 00:03  |  zionist forever 14/12/06   109.   Binational? 00:05  |  P.J. Casey 14/12/06   110.   Gabe1, have you tried stand up comedy? 00:07  |  Ziad 14/12/06   111.   binationalism will never work in the ME 00:21  |  zionist forever 14/12/06   112.   to Tzfonit 00:38  |  hathour 14/12/06   113.   Solution Is Easy 01:02  |  peacemaker 14/12/06   114.   to 25 Mood - if Israel collapses... 01:35  |  Nicolas 14/12/06   115.   #81 Nicolas: democracy is in a binational state 02:05  |  A Lebanese 14/12/06   116.   #108 Zionist for ever - From Balfour to Golda Meir 02:08  |  A Lebanese 14/12/06   117.   ODP re Khalid 02:13  |  Danite 14/12/06   118.   Bi-national might not be easy, but more civilized 02:19  |  A Lebanese 14/12/06   119.   Arab Code 02:33  |  Schtarker Yid 14/12/06   120.   to 29 - ANOTHER SOLUTION 02:46  |  Nicolas 14/12/06   121.   to 29 - ANOTHER SOLUTION, part 2 03:04  |  Nicolas 14/12/06   122.   Two States 03:17  |  Behind Blue Eyes 14/12/06   123.   One state for all 03:43  |  Sam (UK) 14/12/06   124.   The Funny thing is 04:01  |  danite 14/12/06   125.   Ziad 04:04  |  Danite 14/12/06   126.   More binational states 04:16  |  H50 14/12/06   127.   Danite #116 04:36  |  Gabe1 14/12/06   128.   Gabe1 Shalom 05:19  |  Danite 14/12/06   129.   A Lebanese #115 05:35  |  zionist forever 14/12/06   130.   Let them fight 05:39  |  Michael 14/12/06   131.   We win plan 06:04  |  Michael 14/12/06   132.   Gina 06:50  |  Guy From NYC 14/12/06   133.   No Solution For Now 07:40  |  David Kopel 14/12/06   134.   #120/121 NICHOLAS FALLS OFF THE EIFFEL TOWER 09:05  |  paul harris 14/12/06   135.   There is no solutiion, law of the jungle will shape our future 10:25  |  Joe 14/12/06   136.   israel 11:11  |  nostradamus 14/12/06   137.   response from a belgian 16:23  |  real belgian 14/12/06   138.   mannew #10 20:39  |  dubious 14/12/06   139.   7durson.How many apartheid states does the world really have?... 21:55  |  bat yam 14/12/06   140.   Khalid`s wishful thinking on 1-state solution 23:59  |  Hugh 14/12/06   141.   1-staters are dreaming 01:42  |  Ghazal 15/12/06

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