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Why Palestinian Recognition of a Jewish State Really Matters

(Ha'aretz) Avi Shilon - The Palestinians raise three objections to recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. First, such recognition would be perceived as discrimination against Israel's Arab citizens. However, Israel defines itself as a Jewish state in any case and Israeli Arabs are officially not affected by this. Second, Israel did not make this demand of Egypt or Jordan, and it is not the Palestinians' place to define Israel's identity. This is disingenuous since the conflict with both those countries was mainly territorial and political. In contrast to Egypt and Jordan, as long as the Palestinian national movement does not recognize the right of Jews over at least part of the Land of Israel, the conflict will continue to simmer even after the signing of an agreement. Third, defining Israel as Jewish compels the Palestinians to contradict their historical narrative. This demonstrates that even in the eyes of moderate Palestinians, Jews are not perceived as a nation but as a religious community. Thus, they have no authentic claim for sovereignty over any part of the land. Israelis who claim they have no need for Palestinian recognition of Israel's Jewish character and essence are right. What they don't understand is that Netanyahu needs such recognition as proof that the Palestinians are serious about ending the conflict.
2014-01-08 00:00:00
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