"One land, three names, eternal peace"
The Plan
As a declared presidential candidate, I should have a plan for Peace in Palestine. I do but isn't my plan. It was proposed in 1948 but never seriously considered. The plan calls for a one state or a no state entity in Palestine. A confederation of Muslims, Jews and Christians sharing the land was proposed in 1948. This entity would be administered by the United Nations. The United Nations created the state of Israel in 1948
Details like the name of the land and the day-to-day administration of the land could be worked out among the three religions that have claimed the land in the past. Each religion could have a name for their holy land. Three names for one Palestine. Sounds like a trinity! The key word is confederation, not an exclusive sovereign religious nation. Under Ottoman rule the believers in one of the three religions lived in the land in relative peace with the believers in other religions. The endless wars began in 1948 when Israel became a sovereign nation on what was originally Canaanite land. The semitic decedents of the ancient Canaanites have the best (birthright) claim to the land. But a nation state of roughly eight thousand square miles seems unrealistic to me. In fact, the economic influence and political power of modern Israel extends far beyond its physical borders. Without these connections it is unlikely that the state of Israel would have survived the continuous wars since 1948.
The Vision
All three religions have shrines and holy places in Palestine. Pilgrims and tourists come from all over the world to visit these places. Tourism income alone might make the confederation economically viable and prosperous. Also, I believe free will donations would pour in from all over the world to make this project successful. Discussions within this context about the future of the Holy Land/Palestine could start immediately. I envision something like an international religious theme park. Everybody would be welcome. Beyond tourism, agriculture and livestock could sustain the local population. Light industry would be a source of jobs and income. The massive high tech military industrial complex could be converted to civilian research, development and manufacturing. Did somebody say "swords into plowshares"?
Some sects of Orthodox Judaism want to rebuild the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It is common belief among some sects of Zionism that the Second/Third Temple would have to replace the Dome of the Rock on the Temple mount. Not necessarily. Several alternative locations have been proposed for the location of the rebuilt temple. Herod's temple complex was so huge it might not fit on the Temple Mount anyway. Rebuilding the temple would create many good paying jobs. Blood sacrifices and other Second Temple rituals, customs and restrictions would clash with modern sensibilities, in my opinion. I envision the temple primarily as a historical artifact rather than a place of worship. The synagogue system has replaced the temple in modern Jewish religious life. I think President Trump's plan to make the Gaza coast an international resort might fit in with my Peace in Palestine plan. However, the plan would be MY plan. The possibilities for peace in the Holyland/Palestine are of biblical proportions.
The Urgency
The state of Israel has been under constant threat from the day it was founded in 1948. This was the original U.N. mandated two state solution that led to constant wars between Jews and Muslims. The Zionist state has one of the most powerful militaries in the world, including nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. But today, asymmetrical warfare can do in an instant what invasion never could. Drones with miniaturized high yield nuclear warheads could end the Zionist dream forever. I believe my peace plan could diffuse this existential time bomb before it is too late. My plan is an option to consider.
Religion, Belief, and Peace
I study the phenomenon of religion and religious belief as a hobby. I think people in general are moving away from religion. All religious wars are fought between believers, of course. But what about the rest of us non-believers? We suffer the consequences of religious wars, like the war in Iran, while we reject the literal dogmatic belief in religion. I did an oil painting that uses quantum mechanics to prove the existence of God. So, I certainly believe in God. But I also believe that religion and God aren't/isn't necessarily the same thing. We have to be careful when we speak for God. Peace is possible if we learn to live together and not let religion divide us. The painting mentioned above titled: The God Equation and an explanatory essay can be seen on my original website Rayuhric.blogspot.com. Just click on the link to Ray's Art on the home page and scroll to the end of the portfolio.
Confederation • Cooperation • Peace
One Land, Three Names, Eternal Peace
Ray Uhric
Democratic Candidate for President, 2028