Mideast peace needs prophets, not yes-men
If a modern prophet saw the future of the Middle east he would see seven possible scenarios; if leaders are wise they will chose the seventh future.
By Margaret Atwood Tags: Israel news Middle East peace Margaret Atwood Palestine“After I visited Israel and wrote “The Shadow Over Israel” for Haaretz, many people asked me what “my position” was. “Position” is a military term and spatial metaphor, and space and time and functions of each other: positions alter as events unfold — but “my position” is that I wish the best outcome for all. But what is that outcome, and what are the alternatives?
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Margaret Atwood. |
| Photo by: AFP |
Picture a minor prophet. Perhaps he’d be working today as an astrologer. He’s looking towards Israel and Palestine, consulting his charts and stars, getting a handle on the future. But the future is never single -- there are too many variables – so what he sees is a number of futures.
In the first one, there’s no Israel: it’s been destroyed in war and all the Israelis have been killed. (Unlikely, but not impossible.) In the second, there’s no Palestine: it’s been merged with Israel, and the Palestinians either slaughtered or driven beyond its borders. Israel has become completely isolated: international opinion has been outraged, boycott measures have been successful, financial aid from the U.S. -- both public and private – has evaporated, and the United States government, weakened by the huge debt caused by its Iraqi and Afghani wars and lured by the promise of mineral wealth and oil, has cooled towards Israel and swung towards entente with the Muslim world. Israel has become like North Korea or Burma – an embattled military state – and civilian rights have suffered accordingly. The moderate Israelis have emigrated, and live as exiles, in a state of bitterness over wasted opportunities and blighted dreams.
In the third future there’s one state, but a civil war has resulted, since the enlarged population couldn’t agree on a common flag, a common history, a common set of laws, or a common set of commemoration days -- “victory” for some being “catastrophe” for others. In the fourth, the one-state solution has had better results: it’s a true one-person, one-vote secular democracy, with equal rights for all. (Again, unlikely in the immediate future, but not impossible in the long run.)
In the fifth future, neither Israel nor Palestine exist: several atomic bombs have cleared the land of human beings, though wildlife is flourishing, as at Chernobyl. In the sixth, climate change has turned the area into a waterless desert.
But there’s another future: the seventh future. In this future there are two states, “Israel” and “Palestine.” Both are flourishing, and both are members of a regional council that deals with matters affecting the whole area. Trade flows harmoniously between the two viable states, joint development enterprises have been established, know-how is being shared, and, as in Northern Ireland, peace is paying dividends.
That, surely, is a desirable outcome, thinks the stargazer; but how was it achieved? Since he has the gift of virtual time travel, he leaps into the seventh future and looks back at the steps taken to get there.
The impetus came from within Israel. The Israeli leaders saw that the wind had shifted: it was now blowing against the earlier policy of crushing force and the appropriation of occupied lands. What had caused this change? Was it the international reaction to the destructive Cast Lead invasion of Gaza? The misjudged killing of flotilla activists? The gathering boycott activities in the United States and Europe? The lobbying of organizations such as J-Street? The 2010 World Zionist Congress vote to support a settlement freeze and endorse a two-state solution?
For whatever reasons, Israel had lost control of its own story. It was no longer Jack confronting a big bad Giant: the narrative of the small country struggling bravely against overwhelming odds had moved over to the Palestinians. The mantra, “Plant a tree in Israel,” was no longer respectable, as it evoked images of bulldozers knocking down Palestinian olive groves. Israel could not continue along its current path without altering its own self-image beyond recognition. The leadership read the signs correctly and decided to act before a peaceful resolution slipped forever beyond reach. Leaders are supposed to guide their people towards a better and more secure future, they thought: not over the edge of a cliff.
First, the Golan Heights was returned to Syria under a pact that created a demilitarized zone with international supervision. The few Israeli inhabitants were allowed to remain if they wished, though they then paid taxes to Syria.
Then, with the help of a now-friendly Syria, Hamas was invited to the peace negotiations. The enlightened leaders – with an eye to Northern Ireland -- realized that they couldn’t set as a precondition something that remained to be negotiated, so they didn’t demand the pre-recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Hamas, to the surprise of many, accepted the invitation, as it had nothing to lose by doing so. Peace was made between Fatah and Hamas, and Palestine was thus able to present a single negotiating team.
The negotiations were complex, but people worked hard not to lose their tempers. Several North American First Nations negotiators were invited as coaches, as they had much long-term experience and patience, and –remembering South Africa – they knew that yelling and denouncing would not accomplish anything. As soon as they stepped off the plane, they smudged with sage to cleanse the region of its buildup of fear, anger, and hatred, and despair, and with sweetgrass to attract positive emotions.
The agreement took less time than expected, as happens when people are serious. Then the Occupation – disastrous for those in both countries, both physically and morally -- was over, and Palestinian independence was declared. A mutual defense pact was signed, along with a trade and development pact. As Israel had realized that it could not rest its foundation on international law while also violating that law, the borders reverted to those of 1967, with a few land swaps along the edges. Jerusalem was declared an international city, with both an Israeli parliament building and a Palestinian one, and access to the various holy sites for believers.
Gaza was joined to the West Bank by corridors, as in the East/West Germany of old; the ports were opened, and the fishing boats could sail once more. Development money poured in, creating full employment. The water situation was rectified, with fair-access agreements signed, pollution cleaned up, and more fresh water created through a new cheap solar-driven desalination process.
What about the difficult matter of the Settlements? The First Nations advisors cited some of their own precedents: settlers could stay in Palestine if they wished, under lease agreements. The leases and taxes paid by the settlers were a source of income to the Palestinian state, and as their products were no longer boycotted, the Settlements did better. On the whole, peace and security reigned. There was even a shared Memorial Day, in which all those fallen in past wars were honoured.
The seventh future is within reach -- the stars favour it -- but the stargazer knows that many prefer the status quo: there can be advantage as well as profit in conflict. However, change often comes abruptly, like the fall of the Berlin Wall, the storming of the Bastille, or the end of Apartheid. The amount of blood shed during such transitions – from none to a great deal -- depends on the wisdom of the leadership.
How to promote such wisdom? It’s a prophet’s traditional duty to lay out the alternatives – the good futures, and also the bad ones. Prophets – unlike yes-men -- tell the powerful not what they want to hear, but what they need to hear. “How can I put this?” thinks the stargazer. “Something beginning with the handwriting on the wall…?”
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There's your prophet, the LORD does nothing without telling us, and so it has been. Astrology is futile, looking at possible scenarios is futile, without God man cannot really see the future.
just as badly as they're needed in Jerusalem
Ms. Atwood, Again, all I read in your article,interesting as it may be is that Israel is at fault. What about the actions and misdeeds of the other side. Seems a typical liberal biased white wash me thinks. Further, the joining of the two pals groups in a peaceful, harmonious manner is a dream. Until and unless the Arabs truly want peace. There will never be peace and Israel must prepare for continued struggle. Only a higher power then a mere misguided liberal thinker ( no matter how many of them exist ) can solve this one.
British oddsmakers should be able to offer odds on Mrs. Atwood's visions. In case they are preoccupied with Tiger's divorce or Fergie I will offer mine. #1 Destroyed by war 0%. The US would also have to be destroyed. #2 Tough to pull off after Kosovo but the real Zionist goal. Aid from the US would not dry up and comparisons to 3rd world are ridiculous 60%. #3 and #4 are likely scenarios of a forced peace plan. A civil war would help with #2 so 30%. #5 makes us glad Obama is following Bush Doctrine so 0%. #6 In any peace plan Israel will control all water rights. Global warming is real and future droughts will help accelerate vision #2. Desalinazation plants make this a 0%. #7 Is the dream of any thoughtful person. Unfortunately it requires a rejection of radical Islam and the Biblical promise to the Jews. Make it 10%
I suggest Atwood 'work' in her own country of Canada to address 'issues' before venturing into foreign ones which have their own nuances which she has no grasp of. Besides the 'minor' issue of land stolen from the First Nations and their banishment to Bantu like 'reservations', she should live the life of a minority person by living in Quebec for at least 5 years and 'fight' for human rights here. Keep to fiction Atwood.
Displaying vision, intelligence, rationality. All the things badly needed.
your an idealistic dreamer.
According to Wikipedia, her writing is 'inspired by myths and fairy tales, which were interests of hers from an early age'. we need say no more.
I think there are more possible futures than Margaret Atwood has listed. A key factor I think is that Israel is not as large a country as its huge, surrounding Islamic neighbours and therefore bargaining with land is not necessarily an option, or should it be. An eighth future is that one of the much larger neighbouring countries offers the people in Gaza a piece of their own land where they can enjoy life and probably greater independence and integration with people they feel more in concordance with. Thus the Gaza issue ceases to be an issue and peace ensues and we can all get on with peaceful existence and uniting the Middle East in trade and commerical potential rather than wasting energy on conflict.. If the international community supported this future, rather than the red herring of supporting the Gaza Strip - which it seems is probably ultimately a ruse in the game played by Arabic countries to reduce Israel's land, they would save a lot of time, effort and money that could be, more wisely, spent elsewhere. The ninth future is that the people living in Gaza actually accept that they are part of Israel and enjoy citizenship in that land of opportunity rather than allowing themselves to be pawns in a game played by bigger fish. Here of course Israel would have a responsibility to ensure the people in Gaza had equal rights in their citizenship. Then efforts can return to building the Middle East in general and its vast economic potential. Just my opinions!
How many stable democracies are there in the Muslim world? Answer: close to zero. Israel's fault?
Palestinian people are the main prophets who need to hold their leaders accountable for their actions and demand that their cause, their needs, their aspirations be taken seriously. The prophets that need the most support are the people behind the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. The prophets who will help to resolve this conflict are people of conscience around the world who have awakened to the nightmare that both Palestinians and Israelis live in and hold Israel accountable for its actions, hold it accountable for an illegal and devastating occupation that has served no one's purpose. Atwood needs to wake up from her fantasy world. This region has been bleeding for over 40 years. And how many years has she spent thinking about this problem exactly?
My Song fo peace was posted with the lines mixed up, so I add separators.../... to separate the lines I am not an Arab, I am not a Jew .../... You are me and I am you..../.... I am not White, I am not Black..../.... I am all colors, Light and Dark ..../.... I don't live here, I don't live there..../.... Earth is my home, I live everywhere..../.... The warm sun, the fresh air ...../.... For me, you, those in despair ..../.... Give me your hand, feel my heart ..../... Share our pain, joy, see the light.../...
This article was reprinted from todays Times or Telegraph I forget which. It is absolute drivel and a scandal that a major London paper is so short of news that it has to print this. She is obviously totally uneducated on mid east affairs and should be writing novels instead
it seems like this author already decided, that the Palestinians have no place in Israel, and that they would either be slaughtered, driven beyond it's borders or there would be a civil war.... But why would you think so? there are plenty of Israeli Arabs today in Israel, and they are not slaughtered, nor is there a civil war between them and the Jews. It seems like she is biased about Israel, and portrays them as monsters.
I know that many of you are reading and responding to this article. As a Jew, I want to thank you for your hope and intension for a better Israel/Palestine.
Could someone remind Margaret that Israel and Jerusalem, after all, was, is, and will always be, a city/country that is all about religion. Yet it is religion that killed most of their prophets . . .It is a religion that can turn toxic and in doing so defeat it’s very purpose. Because, after all, isn’t religion supposed to be about being able to talk in peace with others about what is most important to us? I hope this prophet makes it.
As a Peacenik, I am gratified that Atwood is extolling her wisdom and objectivity to demonstrate the viability, one day, of the 7th heaven. As a Canadian, I can't but help feel what she says, especially the part about the native referees, is based on the most savage pulverization of a civilization ever known. Native Canadians are relegated to the fringes of the Canadian mosaic; they are socially and culturally malnourished; they are raped of a past, present and future. This is the foundation of the Canadian experience that few Canadians ever admit.
I detect a level of debate in Haaretz talkback rarely seen. At the same time the usual 'ranters and shouters' are seemingly absent, perhaps at a loss for words...
Jews don't want to give up Judea and Samaria for religious and sentimental reasons. They also fear that a Palestinian state next to Israel will eventually attack Israel. Palestinians don't want to give up the right of return and will forever be chafing under the inequity of being confined to only 22 percent of their former homeland, even if they agree to a truncated state in the interim. The solution is two states--Israel and Palestine--with sovereignty over the whole area between the Mediterranean and the Jordan. Each state has its own flag, anthem, holidays, government, and representation in the United Nations. The two governments govern their respective populations and coordinate as equals on all matters of common concern, regardless of the size of their respective populations. Palestinians and Israelis could live anywhere in the jointly held area, as all the land would belong to both countries. Israelis could settle in Judea and Samaria (and even Gaza). Palestinians could go back to the places they (or their ancestors) used to live or receive compensation, according to what each family would choose. Jews who left Arab states could do likewise. An undivided Jerusalem would belong to both states. Both Israelis and Palestinians would be safer because the key psychological needs of Jews and Palestinians will have been met and everyone would see the solution as the fairest possible solution. There would be no way for Israel and Palestine to attack each other without attacking themselves. The key to peace is through fairness both between individuals and between groups. See www.parityforpeace.org for more details.
Delete all films in Hollywood that created the bad reputation of Arabs and Muslims?
..."activists".
The Messiah is an IDEA, not a person. The ultimate problem that need to be addressed is the collective human perception about Gods and religions in general. Soon, science will be clarifying the issues of the natural forces as the Creation process, so humans can find their rightful place in the cosmic 01 as I.S. within the infinite possibilities... (every Nano-second). All it comes down to 1 truth: The 01 as I.S. (Information System). We are a part of the I.S. within the realms of Infinite Possibilities, and the rest is but academic Masturbation...
I am afraid the window of opportunity for two states is closing fast and dear Margaret does not even mention the Palestinian refugees and their right to return and once they do return (to the Israel side), there can only be one state. I am sure that the Palestinians are a very generous and forgiving people and most of the Jews will choose to remain. But I am afraid, there is no Jewish leader with the guts to even consider this path.
I hope all of Zion thinks like her.......including Bibi and his stuck up 7 inside mininsters!!
Nationalize all lands taken in the aggression, let Jewish settlers live wherever they please. This is the land of Isreal, not USA, palestine, syria, jordan or any other country. Tell the whole world to live with it, or come take it back. It's now your call.
well done Margaret Atwood.....but the Israelis & it´s goverment as usual are not for peace ...watch the takback bloggers below for example !!!! it´s a shame
Ms. Atwood, as an israeli i recommend you keep away of lecturing us in any form and i try to be very polit with you just keep out of it and let me tell you those leftist israel are getting nowhere now they turn to you stay away if you want to keep your respect
like the greed for land, irrational\mystical\messianic believes, paranoia, unwillingness to accept and approach the “other”, the determination not to give up and to find a way to have it all since, being better, we deserve it… Sorry to disappoint you, but there is absolutely no chance even if we know very well what terrible price we are all going to pay…
Is she still nattering on? Good lord, she singlehandedly ruined my high school years because of her dreadful books. Won't she please just finally be quiet and go away?! We must save the generations to come from that torture!
wake up!! there will be no peace until the Messiah come and build the third Temple... This world was not made for you or me! Only one guy will bring world peace, only one can unite us all... Anyone who think differently is a fool! Time is near and we all know it, for centuries our ancestors have told us in writing about this day, about him... But the truth none of us know exactly what is positions will be on Palestine or Israel or homosexuality or Iran or modern Judaism for that mater... but if you ask me it's easy to tell: Moshiach will be on the side of Love and Justice like David and Salomon a wise Prince today, a great King tomorrow... let us be like him and let us try to live in peace and respect! We don't call it Paradise for nothing and we all know Paradise and Hell are on earth, so let us try our best to live up to our ancestors dream for us!
If "Palestine" eventually becomes a separate country, it will have diplomatic relations with many countries, some of which are still at war with Israel. Each country will want to have an embassy to "Palestine." Where will these embassies be located? Where will the Iranian Embassy to "Palestine" be located? What is to prevent the Iranian Embassy to "Palestine"from having an embassy staff of 500 people, each with diplomatic immunity (and the possibility of importing weapons, etc.). Is the Israeli government's National Security apparatus thinking about this possibility?
Perhaps Margaret Atwood's thoughts would be valid if Israel and the neighboring Arabs were even remotely equal in power and might. They are not. Israel is a nuclear armed nation among the top ten nations in the world in terms of military might. All the neighboring Arabs lag far, far behind. Israel would never be willing to treat them on equal terms. Israel would feel justified in demanding concessions and giving nothing in return. After all, Israel doesn't really need the peace. Israel is relatively secure and expanding. Why give this up and welcome domestic strife, resettlement issues, security issues, and a shrinking border in order to make the Arabs happy? It will not happen. There is no option seven, unless it has god decending from the heavens and striking everyone with a will to world peace. That is far more likely than the option seven imagined by Margaret Atwood. As for Atwoods other options, who knows. It may be so.
The only answer that remains to the middleeast as seen by the future: The promise as it was given to Abram is fulfilled with one state from river to river given according to moses in Deuteronomy 21:15-17 to the Ishmaelites (Arabs) Israel is left with the temple mount which belongs to the prince of king David and he has returned as the prince of peace (Islam) in the name MICHAEL and the muslims have accepted him as the reincarnated Isa (Jesus) Israel rejected some 2 millennia ago now leaving the Holy mount at Jerusalem status quo as the house of prayer for all nations and no rebuilt temple of Solomon as hoped but offers to all Jews the right to live in peace in His newly found kingdom under His authority with one requirement to all believe in Shema and treat all others with the respect that you yourself would expect thus extirpating from the land all physical weaponry and all walls and boarder thus allowing for free immigration and migration throughout the entire kingdom with one requirement as stated above. thereby leaving the same promise of the Abraham covenant to both sons and their seed the full covenant blessing as it was meant to be fulfilled. something to consider wouldn't you think because that's the way it will be for the Great psychic has spoken and it is in the stars. as we say in the south if a man leaves to his two sons the only thing he owns that of one pig and that pig is divided equally in the administration of that testament Will the first born getting a double portion leaves the second born of the loved but one thing in the inheritance THE OINK! Jews need to start thinking outside the BOX!!! God doesn't dwell in temples made with hands but a body has He made to dwell amongst men. Jerusalem2010.com
the real reason there is no 'solution' to ME is that too many outsiders stick their noses into the area whilst they cannot even fix their own problems! it seems that it is easier to fix someone elses problem than your own. why this great interest in Israel when there are greater areas of concern is without reason. perhaps these external experts think the solution to ME problems are easy to solve. like...Jews should go back to were they came from, Europe and USA. fat chance!
The promise as it was given to Abram is fulfilled with one state from river to river given according to moses in Deuteronomy 21:15-17 to the Ishmaelites (Arabs) Israel is left with the temple mount which belongs to the prince of king David and he has returned as the prince of peace (Islam) in the name MICHAEL and the muslims have accepted him as the reincarnated Isa (Jesus) Israel rejected some 2 millennia ago now leaving the Holy mount at Jerusalem status quo as the house of prayer for all nation and no rebuilt temple of Solomon as hoped but offers to all Jews the right to live in peace in His newly found kingdom under His authority with one requirement to all believe in Shema and treat all others with the respect that you yourself would expect thus extirpating from the land all physical weaponry and all walls and boarder thus allowing for free immigration and migration throughout the entire kingdom with one requirement as stated above. thereby leaving the same promise of the Abraham covenant to both sons and their seed the full covenant blessing as it was meant to be fulfilled. something to consider wouldn't you think because that's the way it will be for the Great psychic has spoken and it is in the stars. as we say in the south if a man leaves to his two sons the only thing he owns that of one pig and that pig is divided equally in the administration of that testament Will the first born getting a double portion leaves the second born of the loved but one thing in the inheritance THE OUNK! Jews need to start thinking outside the BOX!!! God doesn't dwell in temples made with hands but a body has He made to dwell amongst men. Jerusalem2010.com
Somehow the lines got mixed up. I added separation slashes to show it properly I am not an Arab, I am not a Jew.../.... You are me, I am you..../.... I am not white, I am not black..../... I am all colors, light and dark.../.... I don't live here, I don't live there.../.... Earth is my home, I live everywhere../.... The warm sun, the fresh air..../... For me, you, those in despair..../.... Give me your hand, feel my heart .../...Share the pain, joy, see the light
is the return of the united Middle east . otherwise recourses wont hold..
It appears to be too damn easy to insist that no positive result is possible..how often to we read that claim written in talkbacks and letters to the editor, etc. Are the two peoples on separate sailing boats with no sails and no rudders, abandoned to the winds and tide? Whether we are sunk in pessimism or buoyed up by faith in miracles is of no importance. What is necessary is to keep the talks going and to make decisions based on fact and thought, not emotional and psychological phantoms.
While I think the 7th future depicted is the most desirable, the authors scenario is absurd. It frankly continues with the mildly racist view that like children the Palestinians are completely free of any responsibilities. Israel cannot make peace alone. The Palestinians in your dream seem to be passive actors just waiting for Israel to make peace. This is not a dream it's a fantasy.
Perhaps, like her poetry, inspired by myths and fairy tales, one of her life long interests. At any rate, what are her credentials? One visit to Israel?
Dream on. Atwood lives in another world. Certainly not the one that Palestinian Arabs live in, as they are present constituted. It is no wonder that Atwood indicates that the change begins with Israel. It never will with the Palestinians. They cannot come to an agreement since their political leaders have no mandate to settle the situation in a mutually beneficial way. As for Israel, committing suicide is not halachically acceptable to say the least.
Peace Process? MargaThis is a screen behind which Israel acts with impunity to gain more and more land....this has to be fully recognised before any talks of peace can begin.
Let us Give the Atwood treatment to Canada and see how she likes it, shall we ? Currently Canada has 700,000 native Indians. The whole country was illegally stolen from them , and they were forced to sign treaties at point of a gun that were never honored anyways. Their population growth rate is 3 times the Canadian average, so statistically, within 50 years the Indians will be 30% of the Canadian population, and the majority in the western provinces. Living in segregated ghettos called reserves, most of which do not have clean drinking water or sanitation, their rates of poverty, unemployment, imprisonment, high school dropout, drug and alcohol addiction, suicide are up to 10 times the Canadian average. What kind of rage does Atwood think is brewing there ? It is easy to prophecy a future for Canada, and not long off either, where Canadian Indians will embark on a war of justice and freedom, to liberate their ancestral homeland from the illegal racist settler entity that is Canada, all of it, every last centimeter, and by this I mean Ottawa and Toronto and Montreal and Vancouver and everywhere in between, and will, with pure righteousness on their side, violently expel the Atwoods and all the rest of the non-Indian settler criminals who live on stolen Indian land.
But forgot to do her research.
is impossible among antagonists such as these and first of all completely unacceptable to Islams ultimate goal of destroying Israel and subjugate the rest of the world. Peace now to them always only means just for now. The ten years of waiting for the ultimate solution. Climat change or nuclear armageddon are non-negotiable factors though
i mean arabs are sick of the conflict
In 1964 I was in high school, living in Israel. As a teenager I liked to go swimming in a neihboring public pool in a small jewish town. One day I became friends witha beautiful jewih girl. As we talked and played, the jewish life guard called her and told her not to talk to me because I was an Arab. She told him it was not of his business...I still admire this girl..,Later I wrote a poem to express my feelings..innocent.. from the heart...before..I was told what was right and what was wrong,,,and still have a big place in my heart. Here it is I am not an Arab, I am not a Jew You are me, I am you I am not white, I am not black I am all colors, light and dark I don't live here, I don't live there Earth is my home, I live everywhere The warm sun, the fresh air For me, you, those in despair Give your hand, feel my heart Share the pain, joy, see the light Now after living in the USA for 34 years, I can see clarly what is the problem: As humans we have lost compassion for each other and brought shame on humanity. Years after the war, long after the fall. A child asks, why there is a new wall
Steen, the wall in your poem is not in Berlin or in Jerusalem, and the problem is not physical. The LACK OF understanding the collective human mind is culprit, and the divisive factor in treating one another. Human history indicates that the collective human mind was subject to various belief systems, rather than understanding the system (Creation). Therefore, we were living in a constant realistic illusion. Science is marching on in discovering the Information System as the ultimate Truth.
the whole country is suffering from guilt driven aranoya.
What Mrs Atwood said is always every body with brains understand and agree. BUT guys , this is the MIDDLE EAST and can't trust eny body around. Just who is more powerfull is "THE MAN" here
Excellent!
As the wonderful writer she is, Margaret Atwood has excellent memory, a great and creative imagination, a fascinating story of hope, and the skill to say it - qualities politicians in the Middle East would need...
it will become truth. One slight exception: The corridor should be a bridge built from Gaza to the Hebron area. For Germany the East had territorial continuity, for Israel continuity would be interrupted.
In the unlikely event there would be peace between Israel and Palestine, there would be no need for corridors.
Atwood didnt see further than the 7th but here is the 8th product the "Palestine" people will join the Palestinian state that already exists pre 1st Product!!!! jordan is beckoning for its lost citizens abandoned citizens rejected Citizens gather all in the Kindgom of Jordan InshAllah!
Atwood did not describe an outcome which is also possible. The PA declares unilaterally the Palestinian State. It is at cold war with Israel. Some countries recognize it. Europe, the Arab countries and the third world countries do. The US not. No country donates any money anymore. Because Palestine has almost no industry, living standards go down. Because of poverty Palestinians are migrating. Hamas with its social network financed by Iran, becomes popular and finally takes over the state.
Atwood writes and argues exquisitely.
The advantages of Ms Atwood are the fact that she is intelligent enough to have learned the subject; she is an excellent writer who knows how to put ideas into simple and understandable sentences; and she is sufficiently far away from day-to-day life in the Middle East in order to maintain a clear and unbiased perspective. She also says what many of our Israeli politicians and also foreign ones know is the only viable and life-affirming solution. What Ms Atwood says is clear and simple. What she does not say but transpires from her every word is that she is a believer and believers have hopes and dreams. Many of us, Israeli and Palestinian are at a loss of hope. Ms Atwood made me dream for few minutes, and hope starts coming back.
Paul, Ms. Atwood is indeed a good writer, but she is making the exact same mistake that thinkers have been making for nearly a century. It's not unlike a subpar chessplayer who envisions victory, but fails to consider how the enemy will respond at each step of the grand plan. Consider this: Israel's supposed winning strategy is to create 2 states IN ORDER TO PRESERVE A STABLE JEWISH MAJORITY. The problem is that our enemies know that, so of course, they easily block the creation of such a majority by allowing terror/missiles to continue as needed. They would only agree to a final settlement if the Arab refugees were allowed to become full Israeli citizens with voting rights. This is why negotiating is futile, and always has been. Therefore, Israel must stop negotiating and take two steps. First, it must stop relating to the conflict on the national level, and finally relate to it on the religious level. This would allow Israel to quote the Quran against the Islamists, who currently are allowed to cover up the blatant Zionism of the Quran (cf Q:5:20ff, 17:1-8, 17:104, et al). Second, the only workable final settlement will include a mechanism for maximal democracy for all inhabitants, while protecting the few laws and customs that make Israel a specifically Jewish state. These Jewish aspects of the State of Israel would be protected by either a separate house of representatives so designated, or else by a royal family (many states are constitutional monarchies for similar reasons). You may think my alternative is "out there", but when you consider what an abject and bitter failure the pursuit of the 2-state, secularist solution has been since the advent of Zionism, you should at least reconsider its wisdom, and begin to consider creative alternatives.
almost made me cry now. we need dreams like breath to survive!
Paul, Ms. Atwood is indeed a good writer, but she is making the exact same mistake that thinkers have been making for over a century. It's not unlike a subpar chessplayer who envisions victory, but fails to consider how the enemy will respond at each step of the grand plan. Consider this: Israel's supposed winning strategy is to create 2 states IN ORDER TO PRESERVE A STABLE JEWISH MAJORITY. The problem is that our enemies know that, so of course, they easily block the creation of such a majority by allowing terror/missiles to continue as needed. They would only agree to a final settlement if the Arab refugees were allowed to become full Israeli citizens with voting rights. This is why negotiating is futile, and always has been. Therefore, Israel must stop negotiating and take two steps. First, it must stop relating to the conflict on the national level, and finally relate to it on the religious level. This would allow Israel to quote the Quran against the Islamists, who currently are allowed to cover up the blatant Zionism of the Quran (cf Q:5:20ff, 17:1-8, 17:104, et al). Second, the only workable final settlement will include a mechanism for maximal democracy for all inhabitants, while protecting the few laws and customs that make Israel a specifically Jewish state. These Jewish aspects of the State of Israel would be protected by either a separate house of representatives so designated, or else by a royal family (many states are constitutional monarchies for similar reasons). You may think my alternative is "out there", but when you consider what an abject and bitter failure the pursuit of the 2-state, secularist solution has been since the advent of Zionism, you should at least reconsider its wisdom, and begin to consider creative alternatives.
These include the U.S. national security strategy, the Arab peace initiative, Syrian overtures for peace, et al. She's not a utopian dreamer - all she's done is written an excellent synopsis of what the collective outcome would be if the Israeli leadership ever wakes up to the fact that pragmatism is the key to the stability and security of Israel's future. LOL, and she's not even a prophet - she's just paying attention!
What Ms. Atwood, and you as well, are failing to mention is the deeply entrenched special interests of various governments and military organizations in the region who want the conflict with Israel to continue because without it, they run the risk of empowering moderate thinkers within their country and thus losing political esteem. Take Bashar al-Assad of Syria, for example -- even if his country were to re-gain the Golan Heights, to think that this would then entail harmonious relations and a newfound era of coexistence represents the most basic and utterly primitive understanding of political theory. Israel and its Arab neighbors are all guilty when it comes to privatized nationalistic interests. Sure, they talk about "peace", and yes in many ways Israel should make the first move (such as freezing settlements forever), but let's get real here: this geopolitical issue is not so black and white as to say they all just want peace and love. For all of these governments -- Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran -- what they want more than anything is POWER. The best way to hang onto power? CONFLICT. Sad but too true.
which is under constant threat from Islamic extremists who capitalize on - for incitement and recruitment - the regional antagonism spawned by the same Israeli occupations and policies that the peace proposals require an end to...they ARE indeed concerning themselves with the stability of their own countries and the longevity of their regimes. And Iran is NOT an Arab country, nor is it involved in any peace proposals with Israel - but it IS another of the considerations behind those made by Israel's Arab neighbors.
which is under constant threat from Islamic extremists who capitalize on - for incitement and recruitment - the regional antagonism spawned by the same Israeli occupations and policies that the peace proposals require an end to...they ARE indeed concerning themselves with the stability of their own countries and the longevity of their regimes. And Iran is NOT an Arab country, nor is it involved in any peace proposals with Israel - but it IS another of the considerations behind those made by Israel's Arab neighbors.
Which is under constant threat from Islamic extremists who capitalize on(for incitement and recruitment), the regional antagonism spawned by the same Israeli occupations and policies that the peace proposals require an end to...they ARE indeed concerning themselves with the stability of their own countries and the longevity of their regimes. And Iran is NOT an Arab country, nor is it involved in any peace proposals with Israel - but it IS another of the considerations behind those made by Israel's Arab neighbors.
The future of the land of Israel has already been written, and it doesn't look like any of the seven you have described here. If you read what the real "minor prophets" say concerning this, you will find the answers you are looking for. Zechariah chapters 12 and 14 indicate that the conflict over Jerusalem will continue until the Messiah returns. And that He will make all things right. Your ideal future depends on a level of truth and reconciliation of which man is not capable. I know, I am from Northern Ireland, which you mention in your article. We still don't have real peace here. Today two children were injured by a bomb hidden in a bin. Your only hope is to look to the Messiah for deliverance.
As the arabs should Israel so should the english leave northern ireland.
There was a reasonm for the diaspora, the coutry could not nourish its population and forced many to leave for territories (un)known.
Come on! All anyone has to do is look at what happened after Israel pulled out of Gaza. Did the world praise Israel? Did the Palestinians in Gaza seek amends toward Israel? No. Israel is going to have to take it all (militarily) and dictate what the Palestinians can have. The world will just have to get over it (or forget it) just like they do about everything else.
...they started with a Zionist congress and ended on bloody battlefields. Atwood's 7th future is so similar to those first dreams. It doesn't account for humanity though. It can only be accomplished through dictatorial leadership at every level. My 8th future vision: other nationals stop trying to impose their own versions of peace. Israelis and Palestinians stop demonizing each other, one organization at a time. We let our children play together and leave it up to them to decide, in the future, how we achieve peace - or if we achieve it. ...and we stand solidly against dictatorial objectives that don't take the human factor into account - because that always leads to more war, more hatred, more division.
The article is excellent and the proposed seventh solution is enticing. However, the seventh solution does not exclude the possibility of ending up with a jewish only state or a muslim only state. I expect that the only real alternative is option 4. Just imagine a democratic and secular state. Is that not what all of us in Western Europre aspire to?
Even as Europeans, in the pursuit of inflated self-righteousness, hand their countries to the non-democratic and non-secular(guess who), as even some of the Eurotwits are starting to see.
Is there some reason to believe the Palestinian leadership wants peaceful coexistence? That they act from a rational point of view? I don't think so. She didn't mention the most logical future. One in which the world's leaders have given up on trying to help the Palestinians, since their leadership will not accept any reasonable solution. This temporary onslaught against the Jews and Israel is nothing new. They're just the most convenient scapegoat when things are confusing. It'll pass.
Peter, the Israeli leadership + most of the world keeps saying that if a 2-state solution is not found soon, the demographic threat will destroy Israel. Now if you were a Palestinian leader, wouldn't it be rational to block the 2-state solution by encouraging terrorism and the inevitable state of Occupation, which is the very life force of the demographic threat? The Fatah website used to have a transcript of a speech by a senior Fatah planner in which he stated unabashedly that the refugees were the "winning card" in the war against Zionism. He also stated upfront that Fatah would block all attempts to resolve the refugee issue. He even boasted about forging hydrology reports (his field) to the UN so that a refugee camp would not get moved to a better location. IOW, Fatah values the suffering of its own people as a tool in the war against Israel. Are the Fatah leaders cunning? Absolutely. But they are completely rational in their strategy, which is why Hamas has bought into the Fatah strategy, even as it competes for political power. And the sooner Israelis understand the Palestinians' strategy, the sooner Israel can start making far more logical decisions in response.
Because the world can no longer look away.
... existing in author's imagination and not based on any reality, history, and facts. It is easy to sing Kumbaya sitting on stolen Native American land thousand miles away from the conflict.
Do you know what the North American Indian has to say about their occupied native lands? Answer: Who cares! That's just how the world turns. The only difference is that the Arabs attacked Israel (not the other way around) in 1967 and lost the land Israel wasn't after in the first place. There's soon to be a Trail of Tears toward a Palestinian Reservation.
Thats the way Bris. Form a smart retort critical of the only country in the world with the might to sustain and cover for you ingrates. What a genius! Oy vey!
And just what happened to the Palestinian refugees? Were they all allowed to return to their homes and land and did they all receive just compensation?
With all due respect to this great author, I would have to say she is in "la la" land. Perhaps, her works of fiction have gotten the best of her. I agree that there must be a new way to resolve the problem. However, this cannot be resolved without first understanding the psyche of all parties concerned. Once you understand the innate elements that comprise these psyches, you can move on and try and proceed step-by-step,
Marg forgets how polarised Israel has become... much like America was before the civil war... But this time it’s not about owning slaves... its about owning land... The 7th solution will be much more complicated then Marg suggests... She says that Hamas will topple like a house of cards once Israel "gives" back the Golan... That somehow 90 years of Arab hostility to Jewish Immigration to Israel(palestine) will subside... She forgets the divisions in the Muslim world, the struggle for power by the Shia and Sunni... The only solution is the 8th one... but alas this has not been dreamt up yet... So no Astrologer can see this future…
Dear Margaret, I enjoyed reading your article. You provided a profound analysis (and a simple solution) to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Thank you!
From your mouth/pen to God and Allah's ears
Jews, do not be afraid of peace! Two States, with two State Flags, with new Palestine Israel as one Country with one National Flag..."In the fourth, the one-state solution has had better results: it’s a true one-person, one-vote secular democracy, with equal rights for all."
A 23rd Islamic state where Jews are oppressed and killed? No, thanks, the only Jewish state in the world, as tiny as it is, will not disappear due to some wishful thinking.
You're indeed a friend of Israel and of Palestine and are well intended. You also learnt much about Israel and Palestine and the conflict in the Middle East. Much, but not enough. Otherwise you wouldn't have proposed such a naive peace plan. I hope, you also learnt, that vast majority of Israelis want this seventh variant . If it were that easy to reach, there would have been peace, prosperity, cooperation and friendship here long ago and the wolf would have lived with the lamb and the people would have beaten their swords into plowshares. The main problem with your article is that you make it very clear that, whatever actual outcome, even it were the unlikely first one, you and too many others in the world would blame Israel for whatever happen.
but she accurately captures what the intention and meaning of peace between Israel and the Palestinians in the seventh prophecy or choice for the region. A great number of us argued for this resolution four decades ago. However, there is only one correction which cannot be ignored and that is the status of Jerusalem. It somehow does not seem that it would be agreeable that Jerusalem become under the jurisdiction or dominion of an international council. Jerusalem perhaps will be a shared capital between Israel and Palestine, but sovereignty of the Temple Mount - the very essence and beginnings of the Jewish nation to an international body will not fly.
Quite remarkable
It shows vision, it show clarity of thinking. Absolutely very good.
"The Stargazer knows that many prefer the status quo: there can be advantage as well as profit in conflict." Alas I see no evidence and no inclination on the part of Natanyahu to create a vision that could sustain Israel into the future. His tenure is all about political survival. He loves the limelight and the attention he gets in the United States. For this to continue maintaining the status quo is an imperative. Otherwise his coalition would collapse. This is not leadership and is certainly is not imagining a sustainable future for Israel. He is on the path to a one-state solution. Most probably an apartheid one. And he and his country will deservedly earn the opprobrium of the rest of the world. So I see the second future with Natanyahu driving Israel over the cliff as the more probable scenario.
- & thanks for keeping to the 2-states option & not advocating some other, completely unreal utopia. but i think you might have to delve a little bit deeper into the ME abyss, in order to actually say something new & point to a concrete way of untying the knots. could you please at least tell us if, within the seventh future of your story, hamas ever abandoned their dream of an end to the state of israel (/did they just forget about it as the golden age was taking hold?)? & on what concrete grounds did fatah & hamas manage to reconcile? & who persuaded the setlers (not the political leaders in jerusalem & tel aviv) to give up on their dream? was there /wasn't there an internal israeli civil war? was the pal. ROR ever given up? a mutual defense-pact? wow! if only such a thing could ever be.. you see, these are among the real, concrete hurdles standing in the way of a negotiated peace. noone has as of yet found a credible answer to how to overcome them & they can't just be bulldozed away either. thank you, margaret, that was a nice try. consulting w/amos oz might help (meant seriously, not sarcastically, btw)..
Consulting with Amos Oz is a brilliant suggestion! Shimon Peres has done that for ages - on an ongoing basis. And I agree with you, Ivo, there is no mention in Ms. Atwood's scenario elucidating how and when - and, indeed, IF Hamas ever abandoned their publicly stated position ensconced in their charter against the existence of the State of Israel.
Mrs. Atwood implies that with making peace of Syria, returning the Golan, that country has no longer an interest in keeping the pawns of Hamas and Hezbollah on the board. Without support from outside, they are powerless. And doomed either to negotiate and show some sense, or becoming irrelevant and disappear. Perhaps there are good reasons to disagree with this part of the 7th scenario. But please, read carefully before you write down something.
This is an insightful and well-thought article. I hope and pray the moment is seized before it is too late. The alternative to an independent Palestine and an Israel fully integrated in the group of Middle East nations is simply unsustainable in the long run, no matter how strong Israel is militarily.
Israel and Abbas sign a pece agreement, democratic vote in W. Bank, Hamas takes over W. Bank, terrorism returns along 67 border, Israel retaliates. Hizbullah/Iran/Syria launch war, etc etc. Ms. Atwood, forget your naive pipe dreams and save them from naive readers. This is the middle east, not Norway....
But pure fantasy. Nothing works ideally. With present set up It is not possible. Middle East is having a very bloody history. Our Lord has blessed this land with prophet after prophet but in vain. People are still fighting. I don't know when it will end and who will end it. May be another bloody chapter of history is around the corner.
In the eighth future the Messiah comes, makes a big "poof", all the Palestinians disappear from Greater Israel, the Third Temple is built, and the rest of the world comes to pay homage to the Jews. Sounds impossible? About 20% of the Jewish population in Israel, the Haredim and those voting for the "modern" religious/settler parties believe it. Margaret Atwood wrote a very nice article, laying out the options many of us know, if not in such fine details. But her article is based strictly on reason. This is also its weakness, for the Jews as well as the Arabs, although the latter do not rely so much on the imminent coming of M but on long-term victory. What both sides need is courageous leaders who will be able to push their flock in the right direction, because most of the flock is still rational.
what that crazy religious fanatics off-shoot from Jews? well yeah this was already known... see Christianity and Islam as references...
An interesting article, But this is the Middle East Even our Prophets of old didn't have too much success, They admonished even kings & leaders,They came to tell the truth,no matter how bitter their sayings were. But did those in position heed their words ? There are no easy solutions here,& it seems destined that the two Peoples will continue to struggle till a Modus Vivendi is achieved.....It might take another 100 years !
See the Lebanon! Perfect, if you ignore Israels interventions.
Yes, Lebanon is a wonderful example of how peoples of different religions can live together in peace. Oops, I forgot about the years of Civil War which had nothing to do with Israel. The murder of PM Hariri by the Hizbollah, the swallowing up of Lebanon by Hizbollah, the thousands of Palestinians who live without any basic rights after 60 years in Lebanon, any other examples......?
What a beautiful article! This made my day. It all seems so easy doesn't it? If only the people at the top of both government were as level headed as Miss Atwood. God willing, this is the future.
-- let alone facilitators from N.A. First Nations -- the tone of the debate might be somewhat improved.
Let's start with the first two scenarios: Israel is destroyed (presumably by Arabs/Palestinians) and Palestinians are destroyed by Israel: In this latter case, writes our disingenuous Cassandra, Israel is boycotted, isolated, demonised...and in the former case? Perhaps Ms Atwood would breathe a sigh of relief at the removal of people she hates unto death, yet dares to advise on how to live... So odium, or civil war (no.3) or atom bombs (4&5) collective suicide through peace with murderous partners (ask the Spanish, or the Byzantines or the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem how that worked for them, Little Miss Prophetess!) that would be No.6. And then the final flourish...let's give up the settlements to the tender mercies of the Arabs, who will settle for Jizya... What a fool, a blind deaf and stupid fool wrote this? No, wait! It was a "novelist", so-called, who once before saw the future as women dressed in red bearing surrogate babies for the male elite... Prophets see what nobody else can, Marge! You have taken your biases, your hatreds, your anathemas, repackaged them into pabulum, called them visions...and have sold them to the highest bidder. Keep trolloping Margaret; you probably need the moolah!
this pathetic, sick, repellent tirade of hatred should never have been allowed past the talkback editors: shame on you!!!
Concerning the Spanish: in the end they made Reconquista, they drove out the Mores. And instead of the relative tolerance came inquisition, forced conversion and the expulsion of Moslems and Jews. Jews who had lived in prosperity for centeries before under moslem rule. Concerning the Byzantines: In their 1000 long history they had periods of war, and also periodes of peace with different moslem powers. When Saladin retook Jerusalem on the Crusaders, they sent him congratulations. Indeed, in the end the Byzantines were subdued. They were subjugated, but not slaugthered. For many of them, the one potentate was just replaced by another. Concerning the crusader kingdom: The Crusaders lost the battle at the Horns of Hattin. In a war started because one of the crusaders couldn't keep his hands of the caravans with pilgrims going to Mecca. The crusaders lost because of military stupidity. Not the first case. Years earlier they had attacked Damascus, their only ally in the region, and were repulsed by Nur-ed-Din. Saladin was victorious at the horns of Hattin. He retook Jerusalem. And, unlike the crusaders, he showed mercy and magnamity. So, history doesn't prove your point.