An ideal solution to protect interests of both nations

Ramallah The binational state in historic Palestine is the ideal solution for the core issue of the right of refugees to return, and is in the best interests of both Israelis and Palestinians, whose elite are closely coordinating in this regard, a top Palestinian official has said.

Speaking to Gulf News, Najat Abu Bakr, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, said the binational state could end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where the two nations share the country and organise in a democratic way.

"The binational state will automatically solve the right to return issue, which is one the most difficult core issues in the conflict," she said.

She said the Palestinian and Israeli public had reached the conclusion that their leaderships were incapable of reaching a suitable solution, so the nations are taking matters into their own hands.

"The Palestinians will live wherever they desire in the historic Palestine and the Israelis will enjoy the same privilege," she added.

Abu Bakr said it was clear the Israelis refused the two-state solution. "People should come to the conclusion that the binational state is the only possible solution for the conflict," she said.

‘Gaining momentum'

"The two nations — Israel and Palestine — are ready to accept this formula and put it in place, knowing that they must live together in peace and democracy and share the same land," she added.

She said an increasing section of the Israeli society was calling for the binational state to end the conflict. "A huge section of the Israeli elite is calling for the binational state and effectively coordinating with their Palestinian counterparts," she said. "The binational state is gaining momentum within the two societies. The interested parties are currently discussing the methods and mechanisms to secure the outcome binational state ends up a democratic state."

She said neither the Palestinians nor the Israelis should cheat themselves as the two nations currently live in a binational state where Israel solely holds the upper hand and sovereignty over the entire territory.

She stressed that Israeli supporters of the binational state had already offered a detailed proposal to the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who should, along with his government, make the choice of either a two-state solution accepted by the Palestinians or a binational state.

Warning: Kidnapping soldiers

Hamas Monday called upon all Palestinian groups to form a joint committee to plan ways to kidnap Israeli soldiers who could then be exchanged for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

All fighters should join this "factional resistance committee," said Ahmad Bahar, a senior leader of the Islamist group currently administering the Gaza Strip.

He told reporters during the launch of activities expressing solidarity with prisoners in Israeli jails, that kidnapping soldiers would "oblige the occupation to release our prisoners." Bahar also called on security officials in the Palestinian Authority-run West Bank to stop releasing Israeli soldiers and civilians who lose their way and stray into Palestinian areas by mistake.

— DPA