While reserching and learning about Oslo Accords, I realized how complicated the
task of the Oslo Accord was and still is. The Accord aims 1. To create a Palestinian state, to transform
a militant movement with a terrorist ideology into a peaceful democratic nation with its own state
and 2. To preserve the Israel's Jewish character and build a peaceful coexistence.
There are so many challenges and obstacles. Cultural, ideological and administrative changes are needed on the Palestinian side while on the Israeli side the willingness to compromise, the courage to take security risks and to abandon the greater Israel settler ideology. The most difficult issues that both sides need to address are the location of the international border (green line); the Jewish settlements in the west bank, the right to return of Palestinians and the East Jerusalem status.
The Oslo Accord process, as it moved through the various stages, the exchange of letters, signing of Oslo I, the Taba agreement (Oslo II) and so on was a gradual process; time was needed to build trust, and confidence between both sides and to create state institutions for Palestinians in the West Bank. To my inexperienced eye, the agreement texts were well thought out, detailed, sensible and represented a genuine intent to reach a peaceful coexistence.
Many countries, including the US, have renewed their interest in the two-state proposal now, amid
the Gaza war. But after reading about the Oslo Accord in some detail and realizing how big and
challenging changes need to take place, I am no longer sure that the two-state solution is possible.
On the 'ground', the Palestinian people and the Israeli people need to support the idea of making peace and making concessions (even difficult ones). Leaders on both sides need to be strong and committed. In Israel, a new leader of the statue of the Israeli founders like Ben Gurion, Golda Meir, strong, and committed to peace and having a broad public support. On the Palestinian side a Palestinian Mandela needs to rise, a leader able to abandon guerrilla fighting ideology and become a statesman ( something that Arafat apparently was not able to do).
A detailed plan and funding to build Palestinian economy (perhaps with Israel extending help) will be required to create prosperity. Palestinian state institutions need to be established. Building a democracy is a difficult, perhaps impossible task , considering that history have shown that democracy can not be forced on people, they need to be ready for it.
Extremists on both sides, the militant Jewish settlers, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other regional terrorist groups need to be subdued and rained in, they have the ability to derail the reconciliation and the peace progress.
A powerful mediator, ( US or even China ?) will be needed to keep the momentum, to shepherd the process of negotiation and implementation. The mediator needs to be neutral yet forceful and committed to tangible results on the ground.
Regionally, the support of the Arab states, in particular of Saudi Arabia , for the peace process and the normalization of relationship with Israel, would provide a needed boost for the peace process. Iran needs to be persuaded not to jeopardize the peace process, perhaps by reaching an understanding (mediated by China ?) with Saudi Arabia? Hezbollah would need to be rained in by Iran.
I am skeptical, but the alternative of continued terror and oppression is is not acceptable. Perhaps we should dare and consider other options. How about the idea of a federation?
Here are two links about the confederation idea: click for first reference and: click for second reference