by Daniel Mark, M.A., B.Ed.
Now imagine the olive groves, open spaces and cemeteries [particularly the areas to the east of the Old City (particularly Wadi Joz and A-Tur (the Mt. of Olives)] from the Old City walls to the existing “Security Fence” as the mansion’s gigantic, partially enclosed GARDEN. Think of this garden as the yard of this very special Home.
Part of what makes this Home and Garden approach workable and enjoyable is the special way in which the citizens can decide to share Old Jerusalem as Israelis or as Palestianians. I propose that the people living in either the “Home” or “Garden” be given special residential status: each household would be given the right to choose either Israeli or Ishmaeli (Palestinian) citizenship. This would give each family a voice and a choice, which is likely to translate into support.
More importantly perhaps, both the State of Israel and the future state of Palestine (or perhaps it will be called the State of Ishmael) could continue to hold spiritual and population based claims in the heart of Jerusalem. Furthermore, areas beyond the security fence (just outside the Home and Garden area, but still considered “East Jerusalem”) could house the Palestinian political and cultural capital in the future. In other words, all the embassies and government offices for Palestine could be located in and around Al Ezayem (close to the Mt. of Olives but just over the green line). Likewise West Jerusalem could house all the embassies and government offices for Israel. This would give both nations a real (as well as a spiritual and symbolic) presence which is also likely to translate into much more support.
Each of the residents in the “Home and Garden” (H & G) would then be granted the legal right to enter (and exit) the H & G from (and into) the country listed on their identity card through a large number of dedicated easy access ‘local gateways’. Other gateways could be set up for more official border crossings dedicated to ‘international use’ if necessary. Eventually as peace becomes more and more established, these gateways could streamline the exchange of goods, tourism and other businesses allowing the whole region to flourish.
Together the H & G would create a demilitarized Neutral Buffer Zone (NBZ) ‘owned’ by both the Ishmaelis and the Israelis. This could dramatically enhance human rights, economic stability, peaceful coexistence, as well as responsible security, in the State of Israel and the State of Ishmael. The local gateways and border crossings between the NBZ and the Israeli border would be controlled by Israelis and monitored by Ishmaelis and/or peacekeepers from a Pool of Neutral International Observers (PNIO). Likewise the local gateways and border crossings between the NBZ and the Ishmaeli border would be controlled by Ishmaelis and monitored by Israelis and/or peacekeepers from the PNIO. Furthermore this would allow peaceful negotiations to move forward between the Ishmaelis and Israelis, significantly reducing the size of disputed lands and hostilities.
To further enhance the chances of success, I propose that we create a “University of Interfaith Cooperation” (UIC) somewhere in the NBZ, where we would teach and promote multicultural understanding, compassionate communications, responsible building projects, sustainable security and ecologically friendly tourism. Plus the UIC could create a tremendous amount of new jobs, enhancing the health and wealth of many families throughout Jerusalem. Since open lands are limited and green areas are very desirable, one possibility is to place the university on a platform that partially covers the Old City (this could provide a nice shelter from the rain for homes and businesses beneath the platform). I presented such an idea of an educational, interfaith spiritual center to the Grand Mufti in 2000 and he tentatively approved it if the State of Israel would guarantee that the Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosque would continue to be managed by the Waqf.
Furthermore I propose that we create a Wide, Walking Bridge between the Mt. of Olives and the Lion’s Gate (and/or to the Al Aksa courtyard near the Golden Gate) to facilitate pedestrian safety, to ease vehicular traffic, to create jobs as well as to reduce congestion at the existing entry ways and exits.
Each new creation would encourage further cooperation as well as foreign investment in the region. Plus these cooperative projects would help to transform the controversial image of the “separation fence” from a point of contention to a number of open gateways which can make lasting peace and security a reality. Each step of this multistage process would reinforce our commitments to work together. These would also act as motivators for Israelis and Ishmaelis to understand each other better.
Completion of these building projects would also be triumphant historical events that would celebrate increasing levels of success. By combining these ideas with the London Agreement or the Saudi Initiative, we could generate great and realistic excitement for a comprehensive, creative and serious peace plan. Plus we can count on support from the USA, the EU, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, most Israelis and Palestinians. Furthermore a new perspective of Jerusalem's media coverage would give the rest of the world something real, positive and tangible to ponder.
