Hi Roger and Lawrence
LAWRENCE [to ROGER]
> The idea then, is to see whether the MOQ can impart any special wisdom to
> thinking about a solution. I cannot fault your ideas on the elements of a
> solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but have to point out that
> does not advance our thinking on such a solution. An independent
Palestinian
> State is precisely what people have been demanding for several decades.
The
> pre-WWI diplomatic commitments between the UK and the Arabs, Wilson's
> 14-Points, the Mandate, the Peel Commission, the 1939 UK White Paper, the
UN
> Partition resolution -- all these have called for an independent
Palestinian
> State. What we call "no-fault" analysis of the conflict and design of a
> solution is part of any conflict-resolution team's way of thinking.
>
Lawrence and Roger,
while I agree that an independent Palestinian Arab state *is* a worthy
goal, I should point out that it is only in the last 40 years or so that a
Palestinian Arab nation entity has evolved with a state as its aspiration.
Recognition and support for this in the rest of the Arab world is even more
recent. Thus, it is hardly surprising that no Palestinian Arab State was set
up until now. As for Roger's proposals, I agree with Lawrence that the
elements are fine, but the problem is in creating a process that can bring
them to realisation.
The main reason that I am writing this now is not to argue about the
history, but to respond to Lawrence's challenge:
LAWRENCE
> So, I would like to pose a challenge to all MOQers -- does the MOQ really
> help create a new or better concept of a solution to the conflict? New
> ideas are _desperately_ needed. The Palestinians and Israelis have boxed
> themselves into go-nowhere conceptions of a peace. What does the MOQ
> suggest in the way of a better solution?
I think that the main cause of stuckness is the goal-oriented pursuit of
grandiose "final status" solutions.
I think that politicians who pursue the grand solutions are what Pirsig
would call "ego-climbers".
"He goes too fast or too slow for the conditions and when he talks his
talk is always about somewhere else, something else. He's here but he's not
here. He rejects the here, is unhappy with it, wants to farther up the trail
but when he gets there will be just as unhappy . . ." [from ZAMM, Ch. 17].
Speaking from the Israeli side, I think that this is a good description of
former Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
In order to avoid being trapped by the "goal-oriented" approach, we should
stop defining the goal in terms of sovereignty and borders, because these
are not good subjects for negotiations. If Israelis and Palestinians
negotiate over the colour of the flag that will fly over Temple Mount, I
think it is a sure recipe for deadlock. The same goes for discussions of
"final borders". In fact, I think that the word "final" is something that
has to be avoided altogether. "Final Status" is too grandiose, and too
difficult, and both sides start off on the defensive to make sure they don't
get screwed. It is a huge gumption trap.
I've just been looking at ZAMM Chapter 16, where a girl student is "blocked"
when she tries to write a 500 word essay about the USA.. Phaedrus persuades
her to narrow it down to the main street of Bozeman, and then to just the
Opera House ("start with the first brick"). . . .
THAT'S where we have to start building peace, WITH THE FIRST BRICK. There
are a myriad of mundane, simple, non-contentious issues that can be dealt
with easily and to mutual benefit. These are GOOD steps, that build mutual
respect and trust - something greatly lacking right now. IMHO, once Israelis
and Palestinians have walked enough small steps together, maybe issues like
borders and sovereignty won't seem so ominous.
Shalom,
Jonathan
PS. As an optimist, I still think that the prospects for peace between
Israel and Palestine are a lot better than the prospects for peace between
Germany and France 60 years ago!!!!!
PPS When I suggested putting negotiators together on a desert island, I
wasn't joking. When they find themselves having to sh*t behind the same
trees, maybe their dented egos will be more amenable to real selfless
mountain climbing.
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