“…This right is the natural right of the Jewish People to be masters of their own fate, like all other nations, in their own sovereign State…” (from Israel’s declaration of independence)
Israel must preserve its Jewish and democratic character while keeping its security, in the spirit of its declaration of independence. The realization of the Zionist vision of a national home for the Jewish people necessitates a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Israeli interest requires action in three main policy tracks which support each other:
- Striving for an agreed solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the principle of two states for the two peoples.
- Establishing a regional axis that is based on common interests for policy, economy, and security cooperation among Israel, Egypt, and the Arab peninsula states headed by Saudi Arabia, and supported by the Quartet which is led by the US.
- Initiating an unconditioned policy to preserve its Jewish and democratic character, including encouraging the return of Israelis who currently reside in areas east of the security barrier, upon which Israel does not and will not have territorial claims.
Israel should advance in all three tracks in parallel:
- In the agreement (bi-lateral) track: Seek a permanent agreement by which an independent Palestinian state will be established, based on the 67’ lines with territorial swap, in borders that will take into consideration the security and demographic requirements of Israel. The permanent agreement will be brought for the people’s vote.
- In the regional (multi-lateral) track: Activity with the states of the region with the participation of the Palestinian Authority, for formation of blueprint for the rehabilitation of Gaza and a call for an international conference to discuss the future and definition of the Palestinian state.
- In the unconditional (unilateral) track:
- Israel will not expand the settlements east of the security barrier and in the Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. The construction can continue west of the barrier within the existing settlement blocs, without their territorial expansion.
- Israel will transfer areas beyond the barrier to Palestinian control in a monitored and gradual fashion, while maintaining the military presence which is necessary for Israel’s security.
- As a manifestation to its deep commitment to the settlers whose mission has ended, Israel will advance:
- Legislation of “Absorption, Compensation, and Voluntary Evacuation” law, for the encouragement of the return of settlers who wish to relocate to Israel prior to a permanent agreement.
- Preparation of a national plan for the absorption of settlers that will relocate Israel, whether returning before or after the permanent agreement.
Blue White Future calls on the government to execute soon, and with the support of all Zionist parties, the abovementioned steps. Guaranteeing a Jewish majority within the sovereign borders of Israel and stopping the possibility of a bi-national state requires the elected leaders to assume responsibility.
There is a need to act today in order to secure the Jewish and democratic character of Israel for generations to come.