Olmert-Abbas with a Federalist Twist

The Olmert-Abbas with a Federalist Twist plan is a stepped plan that takes Israel-Palestine out of occupation and blockade, first to a two-state solution similar to that outlined by Olmert and Abbas during their 2000s peace talks and finally to a federal vision. This plan builds on what has already been resolved between the parties. Prioritizing liberation, security, and equality for all the people of the region, our goal is for the next generation of Palestinian and Israeli children to flourish, reach their full potential, and grow up in safety.

During the two-state phase, we will ensure that security and the foundations for just governance can be overseen by regional peacekeepers. However, since freedom of movement and residence are key for both Israelis and Palestinians, we realize separation cannot be a permanent solution. A phased approach will enable these freedoms, while alleviating Palestinians’ fears that a separate demilitarized state would always be at risk with Israel as a neighbor and Israelis’ fears that rushing into integration will lead to internal attacks and violence. Both states will be required to create and enforce laws preventing the growth of extremist political parties and views. Intensive nation-building will occur in the Palestinian state, bringing economic equality and a conducive environment for federation.

Some shared governmental structures will be created to administer both states from the start. Most notably, the central government would oversee a common education system that should help the two peoples, Israelis and Palestinians, build a shared historical narrative. Shared education is a crucial basis for the reconciliation, mutual humanization, and solidarity necessary to build trust, which is a precondition for joint actions to promote a shared future. The central government would also oversee the equitable allocation of resources such as electricity, water, and revenues from oil and gas.

We expect this central government to gradually and organically consolidate in power. A history of peace will allow trust to grow between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, Palestine to gain the time to establish itself as a state on its own terms, and borders to again open. The Federation would be created by popular vote. Unification referenda would be held periodically, perhaps every five or eight years, and would require the approval of both nations.

The draft plan is still evolving. Write to the team at iyad (at) peaceproposal (dot) org to be notified of updates and/or discuss joining the project, or come back to this page to learn about updates.

Project Developers:
Iyad Rafidi – serial entrepreneur and chocolate manufacturer – Palestinian Australian

Walid Siam – peace activist, political analyst, independent researcher in Israeli-Arab relations, accepted to policy graduate school – Palestinian

Emanuel Shahaf – Co-Chairman, Federation Movement; former senior official, Israeli Prime Minister’s Office – Israeli

Ignat Ayzenberg – professor of Jewish history, PhD Stanford University – Israeli

Adi Greif – Data Scientist, PhD in Political Science – Israeli American

Ayda Idoia Eke – humanitarian law, human rights, and peacebuilding expert/practitioner; formerly UNICEF – Turkish Canadian

Jeanette Marcotte – Professional Geologist; top 20 team of nearly 3000 entries, Global Challenges Foundation New Shape Prize for models of global governance – Canadian

Rebecca Sealfon – Founder and Executive Director, Unity is Strength – Jewish American

Pavel Shibayev – laser engineer; co-founder of non-profit Physics Unlimited; community architect, abundance.dev – Russian American

…and others