Today's WSJ has an opinion piece which attempts to gloss over the inherent contradiction between Israel as a democracy and Israel as an eternal Jewish state. A theocracy by any other name still smells the same.
However, the ongoing political and military hostilities between the two major resident groups make a consensual resolution unrealistic at this time. Instead, Israel has an opportunity to create a government structure that could, ultimately, lead to a lasting peace in the region by officially recognizing the differences between these groups.
This could entail the official recognition of four legislative bodies: The existing Knesset, a Palestinian Assembly, a Jewish Council and a Muslim Council. The Knesset would retain its parliamentary authority, but the other bodies would have unanimous veto authority and the ability to submit proposed legislation. What this would mean is that restricting the Knesset's authority could only occur if the other three bodies agreed to it.
This type of arrangement would not only give official voice to competing interests; it would also provide a framework for eventual compromise and cooperation. It could also provide some relief to the I-win-you-lose status of Jerusalem. This may sound like the currently out of vogue Two State Solution, but in reality it would provide a mechanism for dealing with political disputes without threatening Israel's national security.
What say you?
However, the ongoing political and military hostilities between the two major resident groups make a consensual resolution unrealistic at this time. Instead, Israel has an opportunity to create a government structure that could, ultimately, lead to a lasting peace in the region by officially recognizing the differences between these groups.
This could entail the official recognition of four legislative bodies: The existing Knesset, a Palestinian Assembly, a Jewish Council and a Muslim Council. The Knesset would retain its parliamentary authority, but the other bodies would have unanimous veto authority and the ability to submit proposed legislation. What this would mean is that restricting the Knesset's authority could only occur if the other three bodies agreed to it.
This type of arrangement would not only give official voice to competing interests; it would also provide a framework for eventual compromise and cooperation. It could also provide some relief to the I-win-you-lose status of Jerusalem. This may sound like the currently out of vogue Two State Solution, but in reality it would provide a mechanism for dealing with political disputes without threatening Israel's national security.
What say you?