T. Belman. I have been on the periphery of this Plan since its inception. Mike wise sent me and others a copy of this draft asking for comments. There followed a lively exchange between him and Martin Sherman. This exchange is noted for its brilliance. I will be posting it in due course. This Plan is the origin of Caroline Glick’s, The Israel Solution. I don’t think there is any daylight between them.
By Michael L. Wise (Original November 2003)
BACKGROUND
The name “Filastin” and “Palaestina” is derived from the Philistines a seafaring people who surfaced around 1350 BC and disappeared after 604 BC. In AD 135, the Roman Emperor Hadrian crushed the Bar Kokhba Revolt and blotted out the name “Provincia Judea” and renamed it “Provincia Syria Palaestina”. After the Romans, the area was controlled by the Byzantines, Umayads, Abbasids, Seljuqs, Fatimids, French Crusaders, Ayyubids and Mameluks. Palestine was ruled by the Ottoman Turks from 1517 until 1917 where its administration was attached to Damascus. Subsequently, British control of Palestine was confirmed under the 1922 Mandate for Palestine[i], unanimously adopted by the League of Nations and approved by the US Congress. The Mandate set aside all of Palestine for the Jewish people. All the inhabitants were guaranteed civil and religious rights, but national rights were reserved for the Jewish people. Britain was appointed the trustee to implement the Mandate. No Arab or Moslem leader has ever accepted Jewish sovereignty over any part of Palestine rejecting the Mandate for Palestine (1922), the Peel Commission (1937) and the UN Partition Plan[ii] (1947).
During Israel’s War of Independence (1948-9), East Jerusalem and part of Palestine (the “West Bank”) were conquered by the Hashemite Kingdom of Trans-Jordan (Jordan was created pursuant to article 25 of the 1922 Mandate for Palestine). The 1949 Armistice Agreements formally ended the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and established demarcation lines between Israeli forces and Jordanian-Iraqi forces, also known as the Green Line. The Jordanian Parliament in April 1950, annexed East Jerusalem and the West Bank to form the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Other than Britain and Pakistan, the world did not recognize that annexation.
The Arab League never relinquished its claim to all of Palestine including Jerusalem. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed in 1964 and its charter lays claim to all of Palestine. Article 9 states that: “Armed struggle is the only way to liberate Palestine.” In 1967, after Jordan joined with Egypt and Syria in a war to destroy Israel, Israel in a defensive war, took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. East Jerusalem was formally annexed but the status of the West Bank was left unresolved. In an effort to end the conflict, Israel and the PLO entered into the Oslo I and II Accords (1993-5) and the Palestinian Authority was formed. Among other commitments, the parties agreed that a final settlement of remaining issues would be concluded before 4 May 1999. Though Israel withdrew from Area A (over 90% of the Arab population lives in Area A) by and large the Oslo accords have not been honored. In August 2005, Israel withdrew totally from Gaza and turned it over to the PA. In June 2007, Hamas in a military coup took total control of Gaza. Israel’s destruction is the primary agenda of Hamas and other terrorist groups. Destroying terrorist infrastructure may create temporary lulls in the ongoing violence, but new terrorist groups will attract new internal and external support critical of the military occupation in the West Bank. On September 30, 2015, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (whose term expired in 2009) accused Israel of not committing to the Oslo Accords and declared that Palestinians “cannot continue to be bound by these agreements.”[iii]
The status quo on the West Bank is bitterly opposed by serious minded persons[iv] across the Israel political spectrum, West Bank Arabs and the international community.[v] Back in May 2003, Prime Minister Sharon said, “You cannot like the word, but what is happening is an occupation — to hold 3.5 million[vi] (sic) Palestinians under occupation I believe that is a terrible thing for Israel and for the Palestinians.” As a consequence, Israel withdrew from Gaza. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Sharon’s formulation, no public relations can possibly justify even a benevolent Israel occupation of the West Bank. Violent, suicidal, and often irrational West Bank Arabs will be viewed as freedom fighters and not terrorists.
Mrs. Tony Blair, Ted Turner (CNN), and other distinguished personalities make statements such as, “The Palestinians are fighting with human suicide bombers; that’s all they have. The Israelis … they’ve got one of the most powerful military machines in the world. The Palestinians have nothing. So who are the terrorists? I would make the case that both sides are involved in terrorism.”
In an attempt to resolve the status of the 1.6 million Arabs living on the West Bank, the Israeli government entered into negotiations with Arafat, Abbas and others to implement a two-state solution. It is remarkable that in the face of widespread suffering in many parts of Africa and Asia, including tens of millions of Arab refugees at risk of starvation and death in the middle east including Syria, Libya, Yemen, Iraq, so much attention and energy is being expended to create a Hamas or Fatah led state less than 5 miles from the Tel Aviv Airport. Moderate West Bank Arabs will not be able to displace terrorists who will claim credit for the establishment of the proposed independent state.
The US State Department[vii], the UN, European leaders and others, are obsessed with two state proposals that seek to force Israel to possibly lose control of its security and endanger its existence. A two-state solution will inevitably lead to a major and tragic regional war between Israel and various terrorist organizations. Two-state solutions will create an entity that is dedicated to the destruction of Israel. It will underwrite and support terrorism, lead to another war of attrition and finally to a major conflict.[viii] The ultimate consequences will be exceptional violence and a demoralization and/or destruction of the State of Israel.
President Obama said on October 31, 2015: “And peace is possible, if both parties are willing to truly compromise and take risks for the only real solution – two states for two people; a democratic Jewish State living side-by-side in peace and security with a viable, independent and sovereign Palestinian state.”
No Arab organization or leader, even those who profess to recognize Israel’s right to exist, recognize the right of a Jewish State to exist anywhere west of the Jordan River. Islamic replacement theologies that deny Jewish sovereignty in any part of the Holy Land remain unchallenged.[ix]
In the eyes of many well meaning people, the status quo legitimizes brutal and violent organizations including the PA, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Fatah, Tanzim, ISIS, Al Qaida, and Hizballah. Many Israel and West Bank Arabs are being increasingly incited to violence by terrorist organizations and the PA by claims that Israel is the devil that plans genocide and the destruction of the Al Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount.
The time has arrived for an alternative. We propose that:
Israel annex the territory west of the Jordan River exclusive of Gaza.
ANNEXATION or DECLARATION OF ISRAEL SOVEREIGNTY
Annexation will end the military rule and provide a clear and well-defined status for those West Bank Arabs who wish to live in peace. Israel will no longer govern the West Bank as an “occupation force”. After Annexation, Israel will have greater flexibility in dealing with issues and problems on the West Bank. Arabs who use the two-state mantra as a justification for ongoing violence as well as other subversive, treasonous and criminal organizations will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Internal criminal acts will not be subject to constant international scrutiny allegedly subject to laws of war governing military occupation[x], including the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 and the Fourth Geneva Convention.[xi]
Gaza is excluded. Israel withdrew its Jewish population and its military from Gaza in 2005 and the people of Gaza are responsible for their own leadership and fate. In 2007, Hamas imposed its military rule over Gaza and announced its violent intentions vis-à-vis Israel. Possible alternatives for Gaza include reversion to its pre-1967 status under Egypt or creation of an independent and expanded entity with the cooperation of Egypt.
IMPLEMENTATION
- Palestinian Authority is dismantled. The 20+ year old Oslo Accords (which were designed for implementation within 5 years) have never been honored. The PA has upon numerous occasions formally declared that they will never recognize Jewish sovereignty over any part of Palestine. The PLO Charter was never modified, PA incitement has grown yearly. The time has come for Israel to assert its legal and historical claims to the entire West Bank. Israel Civil law will be implemented and the civil and religious rights of all inhabitants will be guaranteed. Local law abiding elected authorities will be recognized and supported.
- Permanent Residency. Blue Israel ID cards would be issued to law abiding Residents who confirm allegiance to the Jewish Sate of Israel. Local voting rights and all national benefits are available to Blue Israel ID card holders. All surveys indicate that Arabs with Blue Israel ID cards treasure them and are the envy of Arabs without such ID’s.
iii. Autonomy. Residents would participate in all local elections. Existing local police would immediately see significant salary increases to match those of Israeli counterparts. Israel civil law would be enforced for all Residents. All Israel civil employees, Jewish and Arab, would be held to a high standard of allegiance to Israel. Educational institutions will adhere to national standards.
- Local Development. Economic development would be funded and encouraged in Arab communities in Israel and in the West Bank. Massive programs to improve job opportunities, infrastructure, educational platforms, and social institutions in the West Bank will be implemented. Residents would be encouraged to participate in National service and IDF programs whenever feasible.
- Citizenship. Israel Arabs are today full citizens of Israel. Permanent residents will be offered citizenship based on the security environment and other factors. Appropriate guidelines and qualifications including military and national service, education, employment, criminal record, health record, etc. will be phased in. All citizens must accept allegiance to the Jewish State of Israel.
STATUS OF WEST BANK ARABS
The civil and religious rights of West Bank Arabs will be guaranteed. Law abiding West Bank Arabs will receive blue Israel ID cards with all the benefits available to permanent residents of Israel including: health care, education, welfare, economic incentives, employment, social safety nets, and voting in local elections. The responsibilities of permanent residency will include a public oath of allegiance to the State of Israel. Each country determines its own residency rules and there are many models ranging from extremes like Switzerland and Saudi Arabia to more liberal standards applied by other countries. Citizenship opportunities will be based on security, geographic, historical and other considerations.
The key element is clear. The question of how to deal with the West Bank population will be converted to an internal Israeli matter and not the subject of global concern of “do-gooders” protecting an “occupied” population. From a humanitarian perspective, social services available to the West Bank population will meet the highest global standards.
West Bank Arabs who do not commit to abide by the laws of Israel and exhibit irreversible hostility to the State of Israel, will not be granted permanent residency status and will be encouraged financially to seek other venues such as Gaza, Jordan or other Moslem countries. (850,000 Jews were forced to leave those countries since 1948 often with only the shirts on their backs[xii].) Note that currently as many as ten million middle east Arabs are relocating to Europe and elsewhere to escape the violence in the Arab middle east.
As the irreversible nature of annexation is made clear, persons with vested interests in land, businesses, homes and families may seek and qualify for Israeli citizenship based on national service and other factors. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1967 and currently fewer than 3% of the Arab population are citizens of Israel. Initially almost all refused citizenship but did gladly accept Israel Blue ID cards. In view of the violence in many Arab societies, and in view of the experiences endured under a corrupt Palestinian Authority, the vast majority of West Bank Arabs will choose to become permanent residents of Israel with the opportunity to pursue life and peace.
COLLATERAL BENEFITS of ANNEXATION
It is not surprising that some Israeli Arabs upon hearing from Israeli leaders, the PA and others in international forums, that there will be a Palestinian state, have severe concerns that unless they show hostility to the State of Israel they will be branded as traitors or collaborators with the hated Zionist enemy. Those concerns weigh heavily on them and strongly influence how they conduct themselves. Annexation will end those fears and those fearful Israeli Arabs will join with other loyal Israel Arabs who are already productive Israeli citizens. When the Oslo Accords created the PA, thousands of Arabs who had left Jerusalem returned from the West Bank because they did not want to be trapped in a terrorist state led by the PA.
Similar to the consequences of every aliyah in Israeli history, annexation will spur economic growth. In addition to the historical growth factors associated with immigration, partnerships with Arabs will contribute to Israel’s regional economic and political influence. Every wave of Israel immigration Israel initially caused concern. Eventually all immigrant groups contributed in various ways to Israel’s strength and success.
OBJECTIONS & CONCERNS
Bi-National State: Many oppose Annexation because of concern that Israel will become a bi-national state. A bi-national state implies that Israel will lose its character as a Jewish State. Those concerns are examined below. Israel was created as a Jewish State for the Jewish nation. Zionism’s founders and thought leaders knew that along with the small Jewish population there was an existing local population of non-Jews. Winston Churchill (a prime mover of the Mandate for Palestine), Chaim Weitzmann and others understood that there could not be a Jewish State until there was a Jewish majority. Today there is a 67% and growing Jewish majority in Israel plus the West Bank. Furthermore, the Jewish population has reached a critical mass in excess of 6.5 million.
Most of the post annexation concerns, focus on electoral issues. After all, since a democratic state must provide immediate full citizenship to all of its residents, Arab MK’s will join up with MK’s for whom a Jewish State is not important and create a bi-national environment. That may be a legitimate expectation in some parts of the world (though no one gives instant full citizenship to new residents), but that is not a valid presumption in Israel’s volatile part of the planet. Few believe that things will change in the foreseeable future. Arab residents will receive blue Israel ID cards but citizenship will not initially be broadly available. Note that 38 years after the annexation of Jerusalem, fewer than 5% of the Arab population can vote in national elections.
Current concerns with respect to the character of the Jewish State will be reduced once it becomes clear that Annexation will relieve many of today’s tensions. In the absence of tensions generated by the “occupation” Israel will be able to invest heavily in the improvement of the lives of its non Jewish residents and internal frictions will subside. Improved infrastructure, education and jobs will change the landscape.
- Arabs want their own State: We often hear that Arabs want their own sovereign country called Palestine even though there was never an Arab state called Palestine or an Arab state whose capital was Jerusalem. Polls and immigration trends prove that Arabs living in Israel and in the West Bank would prefer to be part of the State of Israel. When possible, many West Bank Arabs relocated to Israel. Very few Israel Arab relocated to Area A under total control of the PA. When Avigdor Lieberman proposed land swaps wherein Arab communities in Israel contiguous to a new Palestinian State would become part of that state, there was an outcry and demand that they be allowed to remain part of the State of Israel. Similarly, in numerous polls of Jerusalem Arabs[xiii], the majority of eastern Jerusalem’s Arab residents preferred Israeli citizenship over “Palestinian citizenship.” If Jerusalem were to be divided, 40 percent of Jerusalem Palestinians said they would definitely or probably move in order to become citizens of Israel rather than of a new Palestinian state.[xiv] Outside agitators and enemies of Israel will be outraged that a solution was found and that the imaginary Palestinian “3,000 year old dream” of a sovereign state was not realized. Of course, they forget that Jordan is three times the size of Israel, occupies more than 75% of historic Palestine, and more than 4,000,000 Palestinian Arabs comprise 85% of its population. No one knows when the USA supported ruling Hashemite minority (imported from Arabia in the 1920’s), will be overthrown and replaced by Palestinian leadership or an ISIS style state. However, it is not unreasonable to presume that after Annexation, Palestinians will understand that if there is to be a Palestinian State it will be on the East Bank and not the West Bank of the Jordan River. The impact of such a state on the question of citizenship and demographics will be very significant. It would be irresponsible for Israel to make any agreements in today’s environment that would impact the possibility of a genuine two-state solution: a Jewish State on the West Bank and a Palestinian/Moslem State on the East Bank.
- Demographic: Until recently most of Israel’s demographers and other fear mongers claimed[xv] that there was already an Arab majority or that there would in the near future be an Arab majority in Israel and the West Bank. Based on these unfounded claims policy makers and planners concerned that there was a vanishing Jewish majority proposed separation and two-state plans. To the contrary, a two-state environment will promote massive Arab immigration from surrounding countries to that State and PA demographic agendas will create enormous threats to the State of Israel.[xvi]
Today almost all experts understand that these claims were based on fallacious and unverified data released by the Palestinian Authority.[xvii] Even today, some journalists and commentators, political advisors, the US State Department and others are still unaware that the demographic threat to the Jewish State is significantly diminished. Israel can no longer rely on uninformed population and fertility forecasts to reject an alternative to the current stalemate.
Israel’s Arab population is now 20%. After annexation of the West Bank it will increase to 33%. There are currently over 6.6 million Jews in Israel, fewer than 1.7 million minorities, and a maximum of 1.6 million Arabs on the West Bank. Future fertility, morbidity, and emigration/immigration factors all point to an increasing Jewish majority. Arab fertility rates have declined over the past 15 years to below Israel Jewish fertility rates of 3.1 children per woman. Increasing aliyah trends including returning Israelis, emigration of Arabs, and a relative aging of the Arab population point to an ever increasing Jewish majority. After Annexation, as an internal matter, government agendas and incentives can be employed to encourage appropriate fertility and migration policies.
In the last 15 years there has been a dramatic collapse in global fertility and local Arab fertility. Some of the most startling declines in fertility have occurred in Egypt and other Arab states, Iran and non-Kurdish Turkey. As modernization and westernization is introduced into the expanded Israel, Arab fertility will continue to plummet.
Jews have prospered over the centuries as tiny minorities in hostile environments. Today, Israel will continue to prosper in a society in which the majority controls all the levers of power: security, finance and economy, education, technology, and all the elements that are required in a modern 21st century country.
- Political: Israel’s political parties have shifted away from two-state solutions. Polls[xviii] indicate that support for two-state solutions has declined. Recent events have proven the futility of relying upon Hamas and other terrorist organizations as well as the PA to create an environment of peaceful coexistence. It is now understood by all, other than a fringe minority, that no Arab or Moslem leader will ever recognize Jewish Sovereignty over any parcel of land in Palestineix. After annexation, Arab MK’s will no longer be motivated by two state mantras and will focus on representing the well-being of their constituents. Otherwise, they will lose votes to others and to Israeli parties that seek to represent the well-being of all the residents of Israel.
- Global reaction: The UN (with at least 50 Muslim majority members), the quartet, and others will object to Israel acting unilaterally. The idyllic vision of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with Israel, promoted by the Oslo accords will not be easily abandoned. The world clearly demonstrated in the 20th century that the well-being of the Jewish people and the state of Israel is of little concern. Israel has many powerful friends and supporters in the U.S., India and elsewhere who will support a democratic nation that stands up for its long term survival. The world is beginning to understand that radical Islam whether in the form of ISIS, Moslem Brotherhood, Al Qaida, Hamas and Fatah cannot be allowed to succeed in creating another Islamic state. Saudi Arabia and others today understand that a strong Israel is imperative for their long term survival in the face of a hostile Shia Iran.
- Jewish State: Can Israel preserve itself as a Jewish and democratic State? Ben Gurion declared in the 1948 Proclamation of Independence that all the inhabitants of Israel would be assured full civil and religious rights. But national rights are set aside exclusively for the Jewish people. The ongoing conflict both external and internal has from time to time limited the rights of Israel’s Arab residents. As those hostilities subside Israel will become even more democratic. The suggestion that Arab MK’s will join with ultra left Jewish MK’s to undermine and change the character of the Jewish State ignores the demographic realities and the will of the majority. Substantive changes to the Jewish State should require super majorities. The Jewish people have a right to their own Jewish State. The Law of Return to the Jewish State will remain unchanged and available only to Jews. Other defining characteristics of a Jewish State would be part of irrevocable basic laws of the State of Israel prior to Annexation.
There are at least 50 Muslim majority states, few of which resemble democratic states. There is only one democratic Jewish state. Arabs who historically identified as members of the Arab Ummah rather than citizens of “nation states” should be welcome and free to live in any of 22 Arab countries (422 million people with 5.148 million sq. miles), just as Jews are welcome and free to live in one small Jewish country (10 thousand sq. miles).
- Autonomy: The United States has the world’s longest lasting and vibrant representative democratic form of government that protects the inalienable rights of individuals and minorities. Federal government responsibilities including defense, international dealings, educational standards, health-care, etc. Other services and activities are the responsibility of local and state governments rather than federal authorities. A form of local autonomy. Israel should strengthen existing regulations to implement similar local governing structures. Local governments, councils or boards should have full responsibility with respect to day-to-day matters, all within the national framework. For example, educational standards would be centrally legislated but would be locally administered. Each city and region should have a police force to preserve law and order. The above structure, will ensure the Jewish character of Israel, provide full rights and local governance for non-Jewish populations, and will encourage productive members of society.
- Economic: Israel should be spending resources on developing the West Bank infrastructure including energy, roads, schools, sanitation facilities, water, etc. instead of building fences and amassing weapons. Nations with a vested interest in a peaceful resolution to the current conflict will be invited to participate in the development of a prosperous and advanced West Bank society that will engage in science, trade, and commerce and become a source and a spur to regional prosperity. There will be modest impact on Israel’s strong economy. The expense of Government funding of programs that will benefit the residents of the West Bank will be more than offset by reduced funding of security requirements and increased revenues. Every increase in Israel’s population has contributed to the growth and success of the economy. Additionally, Jewish/Arab partnerships will encourage commerce with Israel’s neighbors and others.
- Apartheid and BDS: Those who mistakenly accuse Israel of Apartheid policies because of the occupation and other anti-Israel theories, will continue to accuse Israel of racist discriminatory policies. Those claims will be undermined by Israel’s democratic, judicial, fair and just policies. Israel will continue to be a role-model for how a society can be both just and secure. Nonetheless, the world will continue to appease admittedly apartheid regimes with official policies that declare: “No Jews Allowed”.
- Social: Interactions between communities will not change significantly after Annexation. The implementation of Civil Law rather then military rule in the West Bank will be appreciated by most residents in the West Bank and encourage the evolution of a more normal social environment. Furthermore, as can be understood by the current population and demographic distributions within green line Israel, people do not relocate to areas that do not suit there financial, employment, and social requirements.
- Religious: Religious rights will be guaranteed to all. Rabbis and clerics will be funded by Israel. Educational institutions will be funded by the State and subject to measures that prohibit incitement, racism, violence and discrimination.
- Electoral: National elections will focus on substantive issues and will be less distracted with two-state controversies. Arab voters will no longer need to show their hostility to Israel but will elect MK’s who will best represent their legitimate interests. Residents will vote and be represented in local and regional elections.
- Security: How will security be maintained on the West Bank without the security forces of the PA? When the PA is disbanded, the 50,000 strong security force will no longer be paid by the PA. They will be paid by the government of Israel. Generally, their salaries will be increased significantly to be on par with Israel police and performance standards will be required. A prime responsibility of every government is to assure security for its population. Every country and locality has police to preserve law and order. For example, NY City has more than 45,000 armed police to provide security. Israel will be no exception.
- 13. Legal: Foundation for annexation can be found in the Levi Edmund Commission[xix] and in the Palestine Mandate – July 24, 1922 unanimously adopted by the League of Nations[xx].
TIMING OF ANNEXATION
Preparation for and expeditious implementation of Annexation is essential because of the following factors:
- Political, financial, and social conditions are deteriorating both globally and regionally.
- Growing political influence of the Euro/Russian alliance inimical to Israel’s interests.
- Increasing widespread anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, and-Jewish sentiment condemning the “occupation”.
- Spreading violence and social pressures in Israel in opposition to military occupation.
- Israel is being vilified as an apartheid occupier and is summoned to international courts.
- In one year, new leadership in Washington may be more receptive to fresh initiatives.
- New alliances and convergence of interests in the region will be sympathetic to Israel asserting its rights.
The opportunity to remove terrorist leadership and to offer a normalized environment for West Bank Arabs is available. If Israel does not act now and continues to put forth the unrealizable false promise of a two-state solution, there is little doubt that the conflict will worsen. If a Palestinian state is established on the West Bank, there is little doubt that it will lead to a major war with that state and its terrorist supporters. Annexation might seem reasonable to a wider audience after such a war. Why not act now and avoid the suffering and the tragedies of another war? Israel must now move forward with a carefully structured plan of annexation.
Annexation is only a matter of time. In the past few years various groups[xxi] and analysts[xxii] have begun to understand that though the issues and problems associated with annexation are serious, they nonetheless pale relative to the consequences of trying to preserve the status quo or to the creation of another state west of the Jordan River. Back in 2003[xxiii] there were only a handful of MK’s that supported annexation. Today more than 40 MK’s have announced their support of partial or total annexation of the West Bank. Annexation will take place either:
- Now in a reasoned, planned, systematic manner,
- After one or more mega terror attacks on Israel, or
- After the creation of a new terrorist state leads to a major regional conflict.
[i] http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/mideast/palmanda.htm
[ii] http://www.mythsandfacts.org/Conflict/10/Resolution-181.pdf
[iii] http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/30/world/palestinian-president-abbas-oslo-accords-israel/
[iv] http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Into-the-Fray-Immoral-435534. Martin Sherman early on understood the consequences of counterproductive concessions and compromise.
[v] http://www.jta.org/2015/12/03/news-opinion/opinion/op-ed-israel-must-act-now-to-preserve-the-two-state-solution
[vi] Prime Minister Sharon was misinformed by Israel demographers such as Sergio Della Pergola who claimed that there was an Arab majority between the Jordan and the Mediterranean. These claims were not based on independent research but relied entirely on fallacious claims by the Palestinian Authority back in 1997. see footnote xv
[vii] http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/204447 – .VmPbxfkrLIU
[viii] http://www.onestateplan.com/twostateplans.htm
[ix] http://jiw.blogspot.com/2009/07/replacement-theology-still.html
[x] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_occupation – Military_occupation_and_the_laws_of_war
[xi] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli-occupied_territories – cite_note-21
[xii] http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/talking/jew_refugees.html
[xiii] http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2015/9/9/poll-52-of-eastern-jerusalem-arabs-prefer-israeli-citizenship – .VfBYVRFViko=
[xiv] http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/poll-shows-40-percent-of-jerusalem-arabs-prefer-israel-to-a-palestinian-sta
[xv] https://electronicintifada.net/content/ei-exclusive-palestinian-population-exceeds-jewish-population-says-us-government/5491
[xvi] http://www.onestateplan.com/looming
[xvii] http://www.israeldemography.com/
[xviii] http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Poll-finds-nearly-half-Israelis-feel-2-state-solution-is-dead-424970
[xix] http://www.yesh-din.org/userfiles/file/Reports-English/Yesh Din – Chasar Takdim English – Web (1).pdf
[xx] http://www.mythsandfacts.org/Conflict/mandate_for_palestine/MandateN2 – 10-29-07-English.pdf
[xxi] see articles explaining the need for declaring sovereignty at http://www.womeningreen.org/
[xxii] Caroline Glick recently adopted the “one state plan” and published http://carolineglick.com/the-israeli-solution-2/
[xxiii] http://www.onestateplan.com/background.html
It is not often that you can engage in an experiment with international borders, sovereignty, etc. but maybe it might be worthwhile to perform a small experiment. Mike Wise makes the cogent comment that annexation is irreversible. Once you annex territory, particularly where you are not annexing territory of a true national entity, you cannot cede it back in the future. To whom would you cede it? What would happen to people in that territory who cooperated with you? Would you abandon them to their fate like the US did with the Vietnamese and some Iraqis? So as Mike pointed out, timing is important in this project (of possible annexation). Let’s consider a small experiment in annexation. If it fails, you have to live with the failure; but if it succeeds you can continue further.
Look on the map of Israel, one where the Green Line is shown. Two large Arab towns on the Green Line, Qalqilya and Tulkarm, both in Area A, with 2015 populations estimated by the PA as 50,700 and 59,114 repectively. A total of about 110,000 Arabs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_administered_by_the_State_of_Palestine
(For whatever the information is worth.)
Here is my proposed “experiment”:
1. Open secret negotiations with the “elders” and clan heads of these areas. It is known that among the
Arabs and particularly those who call themselves “Palestinians”, allegiance to family and clan is much stronger than nationalistic allegiance. Feel them out about their willingness to be annexed into Israel with all the conditions previously stated with respect to being given provisional Israeli residency and even the possibility of future citizenship after some period of “parole”. The talks must be secret because of the PA assassins and spies lurking in the areas. The PA threats must be eliminated for the benefit of the cooperating individuals and populations. Assuming that the secret negotiations are successful in that the elders are willing and successful in selling the deal to their people, a public announcement of official annexation would be made by Israel. This would signal that Israel is serious about going for the single state solution. Immediately after the announcement, the security barrier would be move to the east of these two towns. (I don’t think that the security situation would be materially worsened by incorporating these two Arab towns into Israel than it is by the current inclusion of the towns of Umm el Fahm, Kafr Qari, and Ar’ara. These large Arab towns on Route 65 to the west of the Green Line and are all problematic with respect to their loyalty although this could change to the better.)
2. Then wait. Particularly sense what happens in the Arab population. Does the GOI suddenly get more applications for Israeli citizenship from, say, the residents of Jerusalem? Do the Arabs of these two annexed towns appreciate the improved standard of living or does terrorism emanating from these localities increase? The PA, EU and the State Department will all cry oy, gevalt! But see where it goes. If the Arab populations in those two annexed towns seem to acquiesce and show a degree of satisfaction with their new condition, will sanctions be imposed on Israel for improving the freedom and standard of living of its new 110,000 Arab residents? Maybe, maybe not.
As important, what would be the reaction of Israelis? There would probably be street demonstrations (Israelis love to demonstrate!) but how large would they be? How many are pro annexation and how many against? Sort of a plebiscite in the street. What about the reaction in the Israeli press? Would the Government fall and new coalitions be formed? Who knows, but incorporating these two towns whose people had cordial relations with Israel before 1967 would not in itself cause the fall of the “Third Temple”.
3. Depending on the results of the first two steps, the experiment could be continued, slow rolled or terminated.
There is no doubt that such a program entails risk as well as requires courage on the part of the people of Israel. Is the GOI up to the task of leading them?
BTW: Incorporating these towns does not preclude offering compensation for those Arabs preferring to live outside the Jewish State. In fact the sudden increase in the value of their real estate being incorporated within Israel and so close to TA might be a further inducement for some to cash out of their property and emigrate.
@ Felix Quigley:
So glad you’re have returned to the Pundit, Quigley. Your posts will be of much use, now that it is soon spring planting in Texas.
Felix Quigley Said:
Kiss a Nazi good morning.
Felix Quigley Said:
You mean New Age conscienceness raising.?
mikewise Said:
How about the Chisos Mountains of Texas? A fitting place for snakes.
Glick is talking here about Muslim Arabs in the main. The emphasis here is on Muslim Arabs not on the Druze for example or other minorities oppressed by Jihad.
And the proposed plan of Glick “will increase the security of all”.
But in the case of the Muslim Arabs that means increasing the security (and well-being) of the Arabs which will increase their spirit and their willingness to destroy Israel and wipe out the Jews.
It is necessary to see this very clearly. If you make Arabs feel better about themselves and about their situation in life in general that will actually increase the ferocity of Jihad.
If Arabs are made to feel better about themselves under benign Israelilaw and prosperity more Jews will be murdered and indeed many more.
Thus the inherent ideas in the Glick and Wise plan (according to Ted Belman they are the same) are not that much different in essence to the plan of Obama and Kerry, or any of the other political positions including Netanyhau.
It is to proceed on the basis that if you are “nice” to your enemy that your enemy will repond by being nice to you.
In fact for very scientific and easily understood reasons the opposite is the case.
So it seems looking at it in a cool manner the positions of Glick in this plan and book are not that different, in fact in content as opposed to form, they are exactly the same as that of Peres and Haaretz.
@ david melech:
The problem goes beyond citizenship to just residency.
Look at all the problems the Arabs who reside in J&S are giving us and they don’t have citizenship.
@ Ted Belman:
Ted, your belated message(15 days) is received. I will try to do better, next time.
Your fears are justified because your analysis is accurate. The Palis are implacable, and it is therefore physical security rather than a quixotic pursuit of peaceful coexistence that must be the priority. Every decision regarding Israeli security should begin with the realization that the Muslims are sincere in their frequently expressed desire to annihilate the Jews. They cannot be bribed with goodwill gestures and unilateral concessions.
as many of the arabs in J-S and JERUSALEM hold hashimite citizenship and hashimite (eg abbarse)passports let them remain as tourists with a similar to u.s green card allowing them to apply for citizenship after 5 -10 years of crime free residency. no right to vote at any level, nor be involved in local politics. allowed state benefits except welfare or unemployment. nor allowed into any political arena. must prove legal ownership of any property, taxes etc to be all paid up. WHY not implement a similar hashimite law re: land ownership, if it’s allowed by the world for them as they say good for the goose good for the gander.
@ steve_the_yid:
Welcome Steve. I know a number of people in AFSI.
I suggest you read the comments for starters. Perhaps you will find what you are looking for there.
@ woolymammoth:
You are so off base here. I have known Mike for more than 10 years. He is well versed in the “Palestinian people” and the history Zionism and biblical Judaism.
Stop the name calling.
Hello Lovers of Zion! I’m a new guy on this site and I appreciate being allowed to post with you all. First let me say that I mostly agree with the plan for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria ( or just “the rest of Judea” if you prefer). I do have some reservations and concerns which I will state below.
I belong to Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI, see our website) and in the last 14 months have been on three week long missions to Israel. We mostly visited Jerusalem and sites in Judea and Samaria where I met some very amazing, committed (mostly religious) Zionists who amazed me with their courage living in small groups with their young families on land on hilltops surrounded by Arab villages. Never knew such Jews existed! We spent a day and a half in Hevron for the Shabbat where the Parshat Chiah Sara was read expressing the eternal ownership by the Jewish people of the Tomb of the Patriarchs and surrounding area. Thousands of Jews attended that weekend to express their devotion to Eretz Yisrael Shlema.
I also spent some time visiting old friends and some members of my wife’s extended family mostly in the Tel-Aviv and Haifa areas. There, the people I spoke to are mostly of two groups: retired people, and young professionals. These are well educated professional people who are very affluent relative to the average Israeli population. Most of this group has spent some time out of Israel on business either in the US or in Europe. Sadly, I must tell you that most of the young people and some of the retirees are “Zionists Lite”. By this I mean that even though all love Israel and have done their military service as well as years of reserve duty, they are largely secular and materialistic. These people are used to the affluent life style and, by training, professional experience and mastery of English as well as other languages are mobile. If Israel unilaterally declares sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and grants the Arabs there non-citizen residency, the hue and cry of “Apartheid” would ring out in Europe and the US. Economic and maybe travel and financial sanctions could be imposed. An embargo on military equipment could also be imposed. Many thousands of the “yuppies” of Tel-Aviv and Haifa would quickly abandon Israel for greener pastures. I think that this would devastate the economy and as well as impact the security of Israel and maybe even encourage more terrorist activity, at least in the short term. I agree that in the long term the Arab population could benefit socially and economically but the short term is of critical concern.
What if instead of gladly accepting the Israeli offer of future residency rights with all of its advantages to the Arabs in the newly annexed territory, perhaps 100 thousand or more irredentist Arabs in Judea and Samaria began another intifada but now without the protection of the security barrier between populations of Jews and Arabs. Here the conflict becomes one of an internal, civil conflict within Israel since the military occupation has been declared as being over. How do you manage such a large internalized revolt of the hostile Arab population? What do you do with very large numbers of captives? Summary executions? Expulsion to where? Concentration camps?
Furthermore, even without a large rebellion, and even making it explicit that only Jewish national rights can be realized with Israel, you have now created a de facto bi-national state which is opposed almost universally in Israel except for the extreme left.
I eagerly await your assurances that my fears are not justified!
@ mikewise:
It does not matter. You are highlighting a triviality of detail. You can argue the minutiae with my source Ben Tekoa.
Who uses the term “West Bank” today, Leftists, like yourself, those who believe in an ancient Palestinian people who were minding their own business until after The Second World War when Europe told The Jews to go steal Palestine from The Palestinians, The Big Lie. I think you are possibly a scientologist, not that there is anything wrong with that, some of my best friends are mutants, you probably supported Obama and you are trying to do the same thing ex Cia Graham Fuller and ex plo rashid Khalidi and Ex shin bet Yossi were up to in the early 90’s, I heard them try to fool The Jews, using logic like yours, false logic, smoke and mirrors; into believing in the Oslo surrender, yours is even more wicked and I can assure you, your arrogant dictate will never go beyond where it is right now, in virtual space. Nice Try, J Street Jackass.
it may not be too late to inform yourself about the invention of Palestine and the West Bank. so first read the attached link by a tsafrir ronen, Z”L, and then we can have a semi-intelligent conversation.
http://www.think-israel.org/ronen.hadriancurse.html
By the way, before Nasser appeared on the scene, in the Jordanian parliament, the West and East Banks received 30 seats each, having roughly equal populations. The first elections were held on 11 April 1950.
On July 31, 1988, Jordan renounced its claims to the West Bank (with the exception of guardianship over the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem), and recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization as “the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”
@ mikewise:
If you examine old maps, one can clearly denote Shomron, Judea And Samaria, NO WB. “West Bank”, is a term that is made up because Nasser needed a place for his fictitious ‘Palestinians’. Also Wise Guy with the Dumb Plan that will never fly, anyone who uses the term today is an Anti Semite, as it is by definition, an anti Semetic term,( actually it is anti- Shemitic, for Shem, one of the sons of Noah) and it is also used by the ignorant, unlearned, amateur, that would appear to be you, “Einstein”.
Arabs rejected a ‘Palestine’ and wanted to call what is Israel today, Southern Syria and they could not even define it’s borders. Just because you are good with numbers does not translate to being an expert on such a complex issue as this, BEWARE, you are all thumbs. Read Ben Tekoa’s excellent epic, Phantom Nation, available only on Amazon paperback or kindle version. Very reasonably priced and Google him and watch his lecture before The Children of Holocost Survivors, superb presentation. This person is a mensch, humorist and a scholar.
@ thehistorian6707:
Good comment but, the proper name is:
“the former west bank of the hashemite kingdom of transjordan” (1949-1967). At times I use that name. With regard to Judea and Samaria (or Yehuda V’Shomron), it is only partially correct. I suggest calling the entire area JUDEA! JUDEA belongs to the Jews. Who does Samaria belong to? the Samarians? Why confuse so many uninformed people?
Additionally, as you well know the original borders of both Yehuda and Shomron were significantly larger than the current area beyond the green line.
I strongly suggest JUDEA!!! Forget the shomron part.
By the way there are about 425 Shomronim living on Har Grizim near nablus. You should visit them and watch their service on their passover holiday!!
With all the debate about more or less sovereignty, let us agree on one simple ans easy step: For G-d’s sake, let us STOP using the Arab/British imposed term “WEST BANK” for what biblically, historically, geographically, and internationally (at least until 1950) is the correct name of the region – Judea and Samaria (Yehuda and Shomron). Why do so many (even on the right, Israelis and world wide supporters continue to use that Arab propaganda term. We undermine our position from the get-go. Judea and Samaria are not the “West Bank” and more that Texas is the “North Bank.” See pages 134-138 of my new book “Understanding the Volaile and Dangerous Middle East” for a detailed explanation. “West Bank” should be banned fron the lexicon of every nationalistically-minded Jew, Christian — both in Israel and abroad. STOP helping Israel’s enemies. By insisting on the use of Judea and Samaria we can turn this war of words around. After 1,875 years the term “Israel” was correctly brought back into proper geographic use. After only 65 years “Judea and Samaria” should be easily restored to the public discourse — at least by fair-minded, knowledgeable individuals — not to mention news media and talking heads. Dr. Steve Carol, Official historian of Middle East Radio Forum.
Correct: “Palestinian education, and Palestinian media, and Palestinian parents raise terrorists”. Every society must enforce law and order. NYC has 45,000 armed police. They do not rely on good will. See Pirkei Avot (3:2).
Israel will continue to enforce law and order whether or not it declares sovereignty. Do not confuse the two issues.
There is very little difference if any between Arabs living in Israel and Arabs living in the former west bank of the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan!
You are correct: “The haters of the Jews and Israel will not go away. They will be alive no matter formula is tried.”
Therefore, let’s assert our rights and move forward. We are not destined to remain as an occupation force in our own land.
@ mikewise:
No Mike, Islam, Palestinian education, and Palestinian media, and Palestinian parents raise terrorists fine without any help from me.
Mike the point you seem unable to grasp that without security democracy is irrelevant. You think that by making citizenship tough to obtain (I read and grasped your points) all problems will be solved and peace on the Holy Land will magically appear.
The Pals terrorists under you plan will be free to roam Israel and kill real live Jewish Israelis. This would be a nightmare going back to the days of 2002.
The Pals and their western friends even with your plan will demand citizenship and a binational state. The haters of the Jews and Israel will not go away. They will be alive no matter which no paradigm is tried. Just like the Palestinians will not start like Israelis because they get an Israeli residency card and have access to Kupat Cholim (Israeli Healthcare).
I know you have a PHD in Math but something is not adding up with your formula.
Are you the one creating hordes of new Israeli citizens/hard core terrorists?
Please go back and read the proposals and the path to citizenship… You may sleep better.
What about Egypt???
The collective knowledge of the nation is moving in the direction of bringing Israel democracy to the West Bank and rejecting two state solutions.
Democracy does not imply granting citizenship willy nilly to terrorists. There are standards that must be met. Maybe a wooly thinking mammoth could qualify as minister of immigration…
@ Bear Klein:Yes, of course. Wise/Glick are advocating a plan which is just as wrong as Oslo. Such a concept needs tremendous research and study of unforseen consequences, for example how are Israeli Arabs going to like THEIR communities being overun by hordes of new Israeli Citizens/hard core terrorists. How about Egypt? No consideration even to the obvious. That is because this lame plan is mostly about two things the careers of Wise and Glick. Pure arrogance. Half baked pipe dreams are lethal in this neighborhood. They learned nothing from Oslo. The two sides could not even agree on a definition of peace. It should have remained there, until it was resolved, but oh no, “Rabin’s Peace Train could not be stopped.” Makes sense since Glick made a career of cheerleading for both. Thank you but no thank you. I will stick with the likes of Dore Gold and the collective knowledge of The Nation.
Mike I am for Jewish Sovereignty.
1. I think we should start with a version of Bennett’s plan by annexing Area C.
2. See if we have ample success in assisting Arabs to emigrate. Then evaluate what to do in the large Arab city areas.
3. Naive Democracy by importing an Arab Trojan Horse into Israel is not security but a nightmare. These Arabs are taught from birth Jews have no right to a country and Palestine is theirs. So even if there is less pure democracy and more physical security I will live with that. Sorry if some call that occupation and that makes some uncomfortable.
Security will only improve when Jewish sovereignty and democracy is implemented in place of military occupation.
You are more than welcome to finance relocation for anyone living in Israel. California? Alaska? Peru? Paraguay? Be my guest. Start tomorrow.
I am delighted that at least you understand that two-state solutions (Barak, Olmert, Obama, Kerry and the Arab initiatives) are suicidal proposals.
@ mikewise:Mike the point is not embarrassment as I said Pal statistics are questionable. One must estimate the Hebron govern-ate as it is a contiguous area for the most part. It is way more than your numbers even if way less than the Pal numbers.
The point I was trying to make to you even if your numbers are correct (which I question) and what you miss in your plan is the security element is way more important than losing a debating point with haters of Israel.
You can not have large amount of terrorists freely walking about Israel blowing up places whenever and wherever they want. So you must thin out the Arab population humanely except for terrorists and their supporters before annexing areas with large Arab populations.
Not to embarrass you, but that PA publication shows the population for the entire Hebron region, more than 1/3rd of the West bank, to be the following series of numbers from 1997 including 2016! (yes 2016):
385,165
399,905
415,069
430,370
444,725
459,402
474,564
490,393
507,611
525,433
543,891
562,141
580,955
600,364
620,418
641,170
662,452
684,247
706,508
729,194
Note that the annual increase is 3.8%. A totally fictitious imaginary number…. sorry to disappoint you. And it is more than 40% overstatement.
@ mikewise:
I agree the hope of a Palestine State makes it harder to integrate these people into Israel. Yes they like Israeli health care and not the kleptocracy of the PA.
So does the Muslim education that Jews are Pigs and monkeys and must be shot. So does the Palestinian education system and not an Israeli education system in East Jerusalem.
So first let us destroy the PA and officially say we scrap Oslo. Take the money we were providing the PA and use to help Arabs in East Jerusalem and the Arab villages of Area C to emigrate. Their properties would be sold only to Jews and this money would go back into the pool money for emigration of the Arabs.
See if this works in Area C and East Jerusalem before trying the 1.5 to 2.0 million Arab of Area A/B.
You cannot “integrate” all of population when for the last 20 years they have been told that they will have a State called Palestine and a capital city called Jerusalem!
Of course, you are aware that in all surveys the vast majority of Arabs living in east Jerusalem prefer to remain part of Israel if the division of the city took place.
If the military occupation is not popular or politically correct is way better than having suicide by political correctness of having terrorists freely roaming all over Israel with Israeli ID cards. Democracy is not meant to be a form of national suicide.
The Palestinians in Judah and Samaria are enemy aliens and most are not ripe to be productive residents of Israel.
Israel has not succeeded in integrating East Jerusalem Arabs after 37 years. The Golan is a highly successful annexation because there are just a few Druze relatively speaking who live by themselves for the most part. Jews dominate the Golan Heights and it is very safe and have relatively little trouble with these Druze who are mostly residents and not citizens.
The Arabs of Hebron and Jenin would be a security disaster for Israel as residents let alone as voting citizens. Israel must thin out this population before incorporating these areas into Israel.
Page 61 of the PA source document you (indirectly) quote http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_PCBS/Downloads/book1710.pdf
states that the population of Hebron (Al Khalil) in 2009 was 163,146. As usual the PA numbers are at least 40% overstated. That overstatement is an ongoing weapon against Israel. It has been debunked.
@ mikewise:
Hebron itself is around 200- 250K with surrounding areas it 600K to 700K (Pal. stats questionable)
Hebron is attached to cities of ad-Dhahiriya, Dura, Yatta, the surrounding villages with no borders. Hebron Governorate is the largest Palestinian governorate with its population of 600,364 (2010). You are correct it is important to know the facts before making policy and lecturing others.
The Palestinians claim in 2015 this number is 706,508. http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/gover_e.htm
Agreed that implementation of Jewish sovereignty and democracy for all residents of the West Bank must be implemented very cautiously. But the military occupation must be ended as quickly as possible. Under occupation Israel loses every BDS argument on and off campus!
Correct: No Zionist wants a bi-national state. Indeed we write:
Bi-National State: Many oppose Annexation because of concern that Israel will become a bi-national state. A bi-national state implies that Israel will lose its character as a Jewish State. Those concerns are examined below. Israel was created as a Jewish State for the Jewish nation. Zionism’s founders and thought leaders knew that along with the small Jewish population there was an existing local population of non-Jews. Winston Churchill (a prime mover of the Mandate for Palestine), Chaim Weitzmann and others understood that there could not be a Jewish State until there was a Jewish majority. Today there is a 67% and growing Jewish majority in Israel plus the West Bank. Furthermore, the Jewish population has reached a critical mass in excess of 6.5 million.
Most of the post annexation concerns, focus on electoral issues. After all, since a democratic state must provide immediate full citizenship to all of its residents, Arab MK’s will join up with MK’s for whom a Jewish State is not important and create a bi-national environment. That may be a legitimate expectation in some parts of the world (though no one gives instant full citizenship to new residents), but that is not a valid presumption in Israel’s volatile part of the planet. Few believe that things will change in the foreseeable future. Arab residents will receive blue Israel ID cards but citizenship will not initially be broadly available. Note that 38 years after the annexation of Jerusalem, fewer than 5% of the Arab population can vote in national elections.
Current concerns with respect to the character of the Jewish State will be reduced once it becomes clear that Annexation will relieve many of today’s tensions. In the absence of tensions generated by the “occupation” Israel will be able to invest heavily in the improvement of the lives of its non Jewish residents and internal frictions will subside. Improved infrastructure, education and jobs will change the landscape.
Important to know the population figures before making policy. For example, you say: “700,000 Arabs of say Hevron…” The number of Arabs living in Hebron is fewer than 150,000.
Reality Check:
1. Except for a small amount of people on the right Israelis do not want to incorporate large amounts of Arabs into Israel. The public does not want a bi-national state
2.To be able to buy Arabs properties and facilitate their peaceful emigration (buying them out) the terrorists must be jailed, deported or killed otherwise they will exact revenge on the families of those leaving or those leaving before they actually leave. They have a death sentence for selling properties to Jews.
Once you accomplish number 2 above an NGO working with the government should start enacting an humane assisted program of Arab emigration starting with East Jerusalem and Arab villages in Area C near Jewish Towns. Learn as you go and what problems come up. This will be fraught with problems imagined and not imagined. Just like a franchiser learns by first working on a few locations before expanding widely.
Annex Area C. Help the Arabs there emigrate.
Register the people there. Ask do you want to stay and demonstrate loyalty to the Jewish Democratic State of Israel.
This will require learning Hebrew, your children will be required to provide civil national service at age 18 to 20.
You will be required to inform on anyone planning terrorist acts including family members. This will be a condition of residency!
If after 10 years of residency they wish to apply for citizenship they may. There then will be at least a two year period to investigate if they have successfully fulfilled the requirements of residency prior to bestowing citizenship. If they and their immediate family have met the conditions citizenship can be bestowed upon them.
Once Israel has successfully integrated Area C it can then work on Areas A and B. Unless you can be sure you know how to successfully help Arabs emigrate overseas and integrate others why would anyone in their right mind make the 700,000 Arabs of say Hevron (Hebron) Israeli residents yet alone citizens. This is a terrorists dream, to be able to freely travel all over Israel with an Israeli ID card.
Walk before you run and go step by step in this super risky proposition of incorporating a massive amount of Arabs into the State of Israel. If you can be highly confident that you can help large amounts of Arabs emigrate then you could start annexing parts of Area A (a City at at a time). Israel should NOT bring an Arab Trojan Horse into Zion. If you can NOT make sure a large amount of Arabs will emigrate, not do annex these areas and make these people residents. Perhaps some areas such as Hevron become like San Marino or the Vatican (inside of Italy) where they have municipal level autonomy with trappings of a nation such as a flag and soccer team but are demilitarized.