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One state solution

The Core Issue

The concept of an ethno-religious state, where a nation is explicitly defined by a specific race or religion, poses inherent threats to both the majority demographic and the minorities governed within its borders. When a state ties its legal and national identity to a single group, it inevitably marginalizes others. For example, the rise of extremist movements claiming to establish an "Islamic State" has caused immense devastation in the Middle East, ultimately fostering global Islamophobia and racism against Muslims who had no connection to those crimes. A similar dynamic is currently unfolding in Israel. By leveraging Jewish history and identity to justify policies that international bodies increasingly classify as human rights violations, the state risks inflicting long-term damage on the global perception of Jewish identity.

Furthermore, the impact of these policies on the Palestinian population is severe. Throughout its existence, Israel has implemented policies that major human rights organizations argue constitute crimes against humanity, most notably the crime of apartheid. To understand the depth of this injustice, one must look at the very foundation of the state. The Zionist project was established in 1948, recognized by the US and subsequently the Soviet Union following illegal British maneuvers during the mandate period. Crucially, this occurred without ever consulting the indigenous people of Palestine about their own fate. The native population was entirely denied the right to exercise self-determination.

The actions that led to the formation of Israel were contrary to international law even at that time. Under Article 22 of the League of Nations Covenant, Britain held no sovereignty over Palestine and was obligated to implement self-determination, which meant holding free elections with the participation of all residents. Even after the creation of the UN, specific rules for non-self-governing territories like Palestine (UN Charter, Chapter 11, Articles 73-74) were blatantly ignored. Even UN General Assembly Resolution 181 in November 1947, which proposed partition, was never implemented because the Arab population of Palestine opposed it.

During the 1948 UN debates, the representative of several nations in the Middle East explicitly opposed the partition of Palestine, warning that it would lay the groundwork for endless war and conflict. Thus, from its very inception, the right of the Palestinian people to determine their own destiny was nullified.

This denial of self-determination is not just a historical footnote; it is an ongoing violation of fundamental international law. Article 1 of both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights guarantees all peoples the right to determine their political status. Furthermore, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms this right for native populations.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has repeatedly reinforced this principle. In its July 2004 advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the ICJ explicitly emphasized the necessity of respecting Palestinian self-determination and Israel's obligations to uphold it. Similarly, in its February 2019 advisory opinion regarding the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius, the ICJ ruled that an administering power cannot detach territory without the consent of the people, declaring any such separation null and void, and urging other states not to recognize it.

Self-determination is not merely a political preference; it is a jus cogens norm, a fundamental, peremptory principle of public international law recognized in Article 2 of the UN Charter and the Declaration on Friendly Relations. All states are obligated to respect and facilitate it. Yet, the Palestinian right to self-determination has been continuously violated since 1948.

In light of UN General Assembly Resolution 194 (1948), which guarantees the right of return for all original Palestinian refugees, the path forward becomes clear. The most fundamental and legitimate mechanism for any nation to achieve self-determination is a fair and inclusive referendum.

How to free Palestine?

Therefore, the main question to ask is not whether Israel should exist or not. Or should we free Palestine and Palestinians from their occupiers or not. Both of these questions have clear answers for the righteous.

The question is: "How to free Palestine?"

To free Palestine, we must accept one reality: the current Zionist entity cannot exist. Not simply because it calls itself a Jewish State, but because of the way the Israeli government has governed the land for all these years. The prevailing ideology advocates for apartheid, the killing, and the dehumanization of Palestinians and anyone who disagrees with them. This ideology cannot be, and shouldn't be, trusted with a state.

Solutions such as the "Two-State Solution" are instantly rejected by logic, because how can you live in peace with an expansionist, theocratic government that doesn't count their neighbors as human beings? This matter requires the removal of the Zionist entity, a massive conversation in itself, but a necessary prerequisite.

Building a just reality

After the removal of this main barrier, the next steps must be taken to build a just reality. First, we need to give every Palestinian the right to return to their homeland. All restrictions on transportation, purchasing property, and using public services must be lifted.

Then, a foundational referendum will be held among the indigenous people of Palestine - those who lived in Palestine before the declaration of the Zionist entity and their descendants, of any religion, ethnicity, or race - to decide the initial framework of the new government. After the formation of this transitional government, it will decide how to handle the legal status and integration of the non-indigenous people remaining in the land.

Why can't we let anyone who currently lives in the land of Palestine vote in this initial referendum? The answer lies in the years and years of brainwashing in Israeli society; the settler population has been deeply conditioned to uphold a system of supremacy. Therefore, the foundational act of dismantling this structure must be led by those who were originally dispossessed.

However, this does not mean the final state will be exclusionary. Once the foundational transition is complete, the vision is entirely egalitarian. To ensure a just and comprehensive transition to a single democratic state, the following framework must be implemented:

1. Universal Suffrage in the New State: While the foundational referendum to dismantle the apartheid structure is led by the indigenous population, the ultimate democratic framework guarantees that all people of Palestine - including Muslims, Christians, and Jews - will have the full and equal right to participate in all subsequent national referendums.

2. Inclusive Leadership and Management: Representatives of the Palestinian people from all religious and ethnic backgrounds - Muslims, Christians, and Jews - will play a fundamental and managerial role in all stages of planning and implementing the new state's governance.

3. Global Census and Refugee Registration: To facilitate the participation of all Palestinians, especially the diaspora and refugees, a comprehensive global project for identification, census, and registration of all Palestinian citizens both within historic Palestine and abroad will be launched. An international body, featuring representatives of the Palestinian people, will take charge of this vital logistical undertaking.

4. UN-Backed Oversight Committee: An international committee, operating under the supervision of the United Nations and including Palestinian representatives, will be established to execute the transition plan. This committee will focus on the core issues of Palestine, addressing its historical, sovereign, and territorial rights, with special emphasis on the status of Jerusalem.

5. International Reconstruction and Support Fund: An international fund, backed by the global community and supervised by the aforementioned committee, will be created to finance, advance, and sustain the implementation of this historic plan.

May Palestine become free once again.