MK Zevulun Orlev (HaBayit HaYehudi) has adopted The Israeli Initiative’s solution to the Palestinian problem.
Orlev participated in a series of interviews, in which Israel National News (Arutz 7) spoke to people involved in Israeli politics, seeking alternatives to a two-state solution. Orlev presented his vision for Israel, in which he recognizes that there is a relatively large population of Arabs in Judea and Samaria that deserve a nationality. However, since a Palestinian State is not at all realistic, we should look to Jordan for a solution.
Orlev explained that Jordan needs to take responsibility for the Arab residents of the region and grant them citizenship. The Arabs of Judea and Samaria will have the right to vote and use Jordanian currency, and Israel will be responsible for regional security. In this way, Israel will maintain its right to Judea and Samaria, but will prevent the establishment of a terrorist state.
The Israeli Initiative’s ideas have now been adopted by one of Israel’s veteran politicians. Although The Israeli Initiative was the official plan of the National Union faction in the previous Knesset, which Orlev had been a member of, this is the first time he has expressed public support for it. Until now, only MK Aryeh Eldad had mentioned Jordan as a possible solution. Orlev speaking up is a major step towards convincing the general public to oppose a two-state solution.
Although The Israeli Initiative is as relevant to the political left as it is to the right, we have recently seen many right-wing politicians trying to raise its points in public. An alternative plan for Israel is important as it has ever been.