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The right and the return
By Ruth Gavison
Tags: Israel

In his article "The problems are already here" (Haaretz, October 1), Danny Rubinstein reported that the Palestinians will oppose any move - which is said to be at the basis of the talks between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas - toward recognizing not only Israel's right to exist, but also its status as the state of the Jewish people. This opposition stems from both the implications of such recognition for the status of Arab citizens of Israel and the concession of the right of return that it implies. Rubinstein also recommended arriving at a compromise under which Israel would recognize the right of return, but would absolutely forbid its implementation through the return of the refugees and their descendents to Israel itself.

I fear that Rubinstein's recommendation does not take into account the legal and moral significance of the recognition of rights. It is also not based on a correct reading of the positions of the Palestinians and their supporters.

In actuality, the opposition that Rubinstein describes reflects a consistent and principled position held by both the Palestinians and their supporters here and abroad. For most Palestinians, agreeing to a two-state solution does not usually include agreeing to the principle of two states for two peoples. The difference between the two is critical, both with respect to the state of Israel and with respect to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
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In the important vision documents drafted by representatives of Israel's Arab minority, as well as in an article that Rubinstein quoted, the assumption is that a Jewish state cannot be democratic and grant equality to the Arab minority living in it. This is a position that undermines the justification for a Jewish nation-state.

Israel's red line is not merely preventing the refugees' return in actuality; rather, it is the fact that Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people. This is so not only because that is indeed the situation in Israel, but because such a situation is legitimate and justified. The Jewish people, too, has a right to self-determination in part of its historic homeland. Not only the Palestinians.

The distinction between rights and reality must be taken seriously. An individual, or a people, can live for a long time with a reality that they perceive as unjust when their lives are dedicated to amending it. Over the long term, it is difficult to defend a reality that is based - even in the eyes of the people that benefits from it - solely on force. It is important that the Jews understand the depth of the Palestinians' longings to return to their homes. However, recognizing the right of return - rather than merely the desire to return - would be perceived as recognizing that the Jews lack the right to remain a majority in their own country.

Should Israel recognize the right of return, there will always be some Palestinians who will argue, as they are already arguing, that this right is sacrosanct and should not be relinquished in negotiations. Recognition is liable not only to sabotage reconciliation, but also to ignite a renewed struggle - and this time, in the name of a right that Israel itself has recognized.

Rubinstein conceded too easily. The debate over whether international law recognizes the right of return, either by virtue of various human rights charters or by virtue of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194, has not been settled. Many researchers, including some who are not supporters of Israel, believe that international law does not recognize the right of return. The debate is raging precisely because the recognition of rights has far-reaching implications for the status of demands to realize them.

A just and stable peace between Jews and Palestinians is a critical interest for both peoples. The "two states for two peoples" solution grants neither everything they desire, but does give each of them an essential part of it. A two-state solution that does not recognize the right of both peoples to self-determination in a part of their homeland would be a dangerous and unstable solution for both peoples, and for the entire region.

Israel has an obligation - to its citizens, to the Jewish people and to all the inhabitants of the region - to act in a considered and cautious way, so as not to weaken the Jewish people's right to self-determination in part of its homeland. The Palestinians should not be required to give up the right of return, but Israel does not need to recognize it. The time has certainly come for the issue of the Palestinian refugees to be settled in a humane and proper way via comprehensive diplomatic talks, and the refugees are entitled to compensation for their lost property. But the realization of their "right" must not be allowed to torpedo both peoples' chances for a life of independence, liberty and dignity.

The writer is the founding president of Metzilah: Center for Humanistic, Liberal, Jewish and Zionist Thought.
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  1.   But any jew can return? 09:16  |  Hans 03/10/07
  2.   right of return to Jordan 09:16  |  Eduard 03/10/07
  3.   oh dear! more waffle less action 09:27  |  victor hardman 03/10/07
  4.   This is not correct and will not fly 10:06  |  Khalil Ishabib 03/10/07
  5.   Hans,do Germans have the right of return beyond the Oder and to 10:11  |  Absolute Sweden 03/10/07
  6.   To victor 10:27  |  Thor 03/10/07
  7.   To Hans 10:34  |  Amos 03/10/07
  8.   thor 6 10:48  |  realism 03/10/07
  9.   Hans from Norway 10:58  |  gogo 03/10/07
  10.   Zionist Logic Hypocrisy, How Much More Do You WANT!!! 11:03  |  Emma 03/10/07
  11.   The usual double standard 11:06  |  Natallie Durson 03/10/07
  12.   Peace must be based on justice 11:11  |  Clicksage 03/10/07
  13.   There is no jewish right to self determination which takes 11:24  |  lakshmi 03/10/07
  14.   #10 Emma`s antisemitic drivels 11:27  |  Hastaroth 03/10/07
  15.   #6 the god of war gets cold feet ! 11:43  |  victor hardman 03/10/07
  16.   #11 natallie and chalk and cheese again 11:46  |  victor hardman 03/10/07
  17.   #10 Hastaroth`s Zionist antisemitic drivels 12:18  |  Emma 03/10/07
  18.   Still missing the core issue 12:25  |  Jan Elshout 03/10/07
  19.   #13 lakshmi 12:51  |  Lynn 03/10/07
  20.   # 18 Jan Elshout 12:59  |  Lynn 03/10/07
  21.   A good article 13:05  |  Nick Ferriman 03/10/07
  22.   Preconditions 13:09  |  GKJames 03/10/07
  23.   Emma you are a complete fool 13:22  |  Ariel 03/10/07
  24.   @3, khalil, we do not want to live with vermin like you 13:39  |  v 03/10/07
  25.   Gavison and Rubinstein 13:40  |  Ehud 03/10/07
  26.   Hans - ignorant about Norway and Israel 13:46  |  Ehud 03/10/07
  27.   @18, ian, go study history, arabs did try to 13:50  |  v 03/10/07
  28.   Right of return is clearly acknowledged by UN GA res. 194 - but 14:15  |  Ronen 03/10/07
  29.   lakshmi 14:46  |  hafeez 03/10/07
  30.   `Emma` 15:07  |  Jasmine Murphy 03/10/07
  31.   The Arabs Have No Right of Return 15:08  |  Ron 03/10/07
  32.   #23 Ariel 15:12  |  Franco 03/10/07
  33.   To Ariel 15:23  |  Said 03/10/07
  34.   Number 11 15:26  |  Ron 03/10/07
  35.   so carter is right 16:07  |  ravi 03/10/07
  36.   No Right of Return 16:09  |  Rick 03/10/07
  37.   lakshmi and "the indigenous people" 16:41  |  cuckoo`s nest 03/10/07
  38.   right of return an excuse for failure 17:22  |  peter 03/10/07
  39.   Right of return - propaganda won`t make it go away 17:30  |  Rodolfo 03/10/07
  40.   ravi and his tedious lecture 17:37  |  cuckoo`s nest 03/10/07
  41.   Gaviscon is right: Give the aggressor some of what he wants! 17:41  |  Neville Chamberlain 03/10/07
  42.   Can French return to Algiers? Can Germans return to Danzig? 17:44  |  R of Return is joke 03/10/07
  43.   You plan on taking back Pakistan too, Lakshmi? 17:45  |  Jacob Blues 03/10/07
  44.   Jan Elshout and misery 17:48  |  Jacob Blues 03/10/07
  45.   Can I return to Algeria? My family lived there for centuries 17:54  |  Marcel Verdun 03/10/07
  46.   Will India allow me &10 million Pakis the right of return? 17:56  |  Khalid Khan 03/10/07
  47.   #39 -- Do your homework 17:59  |  Rick 03/10/07
  48.   What right of return? THEY ARE SO GREEDY 18:10  |  Nicole 03/10/07
  49.   Legal issues: no right of return for Germans, French 18:14  |  Carl Bernstein 03/10/07
  50.   #45 all complaints must be registered with charles de gaulle 18:35  |  victor hardman 03/10/07
  51.   What principle? 18:42  |  Naftali Lavie 03/10/07
  52.   hans #1, you have it backwards 18:43  |  citizen zero 03/10/07
  53.   Right of Return: Some background and facts 18:53  |  Ivan 03/10/07
  54.   Said, are you for real? 18:57  |  citizen zero 03/10/07
  55.   Carl Bernstein: legal issues 18:59  |  Jasmine Murphy 03/10/07
  56.   Re: Durston #11 19:20  |  David 03/10/07
  57.   To Lynn #20 19:23  |  Jan Elshout 03/10/07
  58.   Unique Assertion 19:31  |  International Lawyer 03/10/07
  59.   `Right of return can`t torpedo peace prospects` 19:35  |  Colin Wright 03/10/07
  60.   To Jacob Blues #44 19:40  |  Jan Elshout 03/10/07
  61.   No such state as Palestine 19:52  |  Rodrigo 03/10/07
  62.   Jan Elshout: have you got a bridge for me to buy? 20:02  |  Jasmine Murphy 03/10/07
  63.   Compensation for the Jews of the Arab Countries 20:55  |  Gary 03/10/07
  64.   Citizen zero -Said 21:24  |  Polybios 03/10/07
  65.   the right 22:21  |  Shmuelshachor 03/10/07
  66.   #53 one fly in the ointment ivan! 23:08  |  victor hardman 03/10/07
  67.   To gogo and Hans 23:39  |  Klaus 03/10/07
  68.   The Pals refuse to share the land in peace, so screw `em 00:24  |  Jason from colorado 04/10/07
  69.   JEW`S RIGHT OF RETURN 02:00  |  TOM 04/10/07
  70.   To Hans from Norway 02:28  |  Grif 04/10/07
  71.   Hans # 1 03:13  |  Philippe 04/10/07
  72.   Beyond Jordan river 03:13  |  Martin 04/10/07
  73.   Where do they find these people? 03:14  |  Mark Lincoln 04/10/07
  74.   Emma # 18 03:19  |  Philippe 04/10/07
  75.   R of Return is joke # 42 03:21  |  Philippe 04/10/07
  76.   Klaus #67, What is just? 03:34  |  Bruce 04/10/07
  77.   Jewish emigrants can return to Egypt, Iran, Yemen 03:40  |  Hosnei 04/10/07
  78.   Colin Wright, Why are you so sure? 03:40  |  Bruce 04/10/07
  79.   Right of return to "final " borders 03:42  |  Avrum 04/10/07
  80.   Khalid Khan, well said 03:51  |  Bruce 04/10/07
  81.   #69 Tom 04:19  |  Labhras 04/10/07
  82.   Hey "philippe" 04:58  |  Hamite 04/10/07
  83.   #73 Lincoln-right and wrong 05:25  |  Michael N 04/10/07
  84.   Hans you see Israel is an exception 06:02  |  Truths 04/10/07
  85.   Interesting case of historical resemblance(1) 06:04  |  Franco 04/10/07
  86.   hastaroth and hypocricy 06:05  |  Truth 04/10/07
  87.   Interesting case of historical resemblance(2) 06:07  |  Franco 04/10/07
  88.   Hamite # 82 06:29  |  Philippe 04/10/07
  89.   tom 69 10:29  |  realism 04/10/07
  90.   NO RIGHT OF RETURN TO ISRAEL 12:07  |  S.Windlers 04/10/07
  91.   Hipocricy rules the Zionists regime and its supporters 12:49  |  Shahin 04/10/07
  92.   Khalid, Pakistan 14:05  |  hafeez 04/10/07
  93.   #89 realism 14:07  |  Franco 04/10/07
  94.   Justice 14:13  |  hafeez 04/10/07
  95.   Separate forums for the different kind of people 14:28  |  True Moral 04/10/07
  96.   Listen to your heart 14:45  |  Shahin 04/10/07
  97.   Grif 15:17  |  Jasmine Murphy 04/10/07
  98.   jacob blues on pakistan 15:17  |  fk 04/10/07
  99.   return & false states 15:58  |  Eyes 04/10/07
  100.   Tom 16:12  |  Truths 04/10/07
  101.   Phillipe 16:15  |  Truths 04/10/07
  102.   #98 pakistan not an artifical state ? 17:32  |  victor hardman 04/10/07
  103.   Hafeez on Justice 17:34  |  Tzfonit 04/10/07
  104.   No point in symbolic recognition of RoR 17:39  |  Tzfonit 04/10/07
  105.   Had Israel... 17:44  |  khairi janbek 04/10/07
  106.   #105 kahirj janbek 19:38  |  Franco 04/10/07
  107.   BUT ANY jEW CAN RETURN 19:43  |  Daniel Bentley 04/10/07
  108.   YES Hans!!!The Arabs have a right to return!!! 20:28  |  natan 04/10/07
  109.   franco 93 20:43  |  realism 04/10/07
  110.   Reality Check 22:16  |  giles k. 04/10/07
  111.   Tzfonit #104 23:37  |  Kol Ha Shouk 04/10/07
  112.   to franko 01:41  |  khairi janbek 05/10/07
  113.   to Kol ha Shok 01:44  |  khairi janbek 05/10/07
  114.   unrealism #109 vs. Franco 03:31  |  Bruce 05/10/07
  115.   THE RIGHT OF RETURN IS THE PEACE PROCESS .... 03:40  |  Dutch 05/10/07
  116.   Eyes, return & false states 03:49  |  Bruce 05/10/07
  117.   To #112 Khairi Janbek 04:03  |  Franco 05/10/07
  118.   Yeah Dutch. This is a war crime... 04:25  |  Bruce 05/10/07
  119.   rk 10:01  |  hamuda 05/10/07
  120.   To Hans: Any Jew can return 12:02  |  Laurent Szyster 05/10/07
  121.   Lakshmi, Great post --on point! 13:59  |  Dutch 05/10/07
  122.   Right Amos (7), even we in the free societies... 16:27  |  Karl 05/10/07
  123.   Mordechai (46), it´s you? 16:38  |  Karl 05/10/07
  124.   #47 - Why don`t you do your homework 04:49  |  Dan 14/03/08
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