A suggestion for peace in the Middle East.

Update:

10 September 2003

Nearly two years of ever escalating violence have passed since I wrote the article below. My outlook for the region is even more dismal than it was before. Ever the optimist, I still think peace can be achieved. It will just require more drastic measures than I proposed earlier. Rather than drafting the children at age 18, I now believe that they need to be taken at birth. I propose that we place “baby camps” throughout the region. The children from both sides will be raised together by volunteers of the sponsoring countries. It must become a privilege for the parents to visit their children. Any talk of hatred would reduce visitations. Once the children turn 18, continue with the plan below. In a generation, I sincerely believe you would have peace in the region.

Notes: in the caveats section below I mention that I thought all parties must be seeking a peaceful solution. I'm no longer certain of that thought and may be leaning to the realization that some people do NOT want peace (nearly incomprehensible to me but appears to fit with the observed facts better than I would like). Second, I mentioned that I did not desire to force an external solution on a local problem. That sounds almost quaint after seeing what my country (the U.S.) has done in Afghanistan and Iraq.

17 December 2001

Background:

The region has been a bloody mess for so long as I can recall. A brief review of history indicates that the fundamental problems are systemic and self-perpetuating. A fundamental change is required to subvert continued senseless violence. If you have a better method to solve your problems then go to it. If not, give these suggestions a fair hearing and a trial run and witness the results for yourselves. I offer these suggestions only as a disinterested bystander who is tired of watching two neighbors continuously fight. While fame and fortune would be nice, I seek nothing in return for my thoughts.

Caveats:

I sincerely believe (naively perhaps) that all parties involved must be tired of violence and seek a peaceful solution. The political actions thus far have NOT worked to the advantage of either side and that the populations involved are probably longing for peace but just do not know how to achieve it.

I have no formal background in peace keeping or foreign policy nor do I wish to force an external solution on local problems. I merely offer these suggestions for your consideration. Feel free to ask for assistance. I have lived on the planet for a while and have experienced many things first hand as an individual which when applied on a large scale should make a significant difference over a period of time.

The suggestions offered will be very painful to follow for some individuals. Many, will simply NEVER change their current views. I aim these suggestions squarely on the shoulders of the young generation to carry out with the assistance of your elders or if necessary in spite of them. Your children and grandchildren will benefit from your actions today. Consider the alternatives if you continue your present methods.

Suggestions:

All involved parties need to sit down and plan the logistics. Pulling this off will require great political courage, a willingness to accept inevitable setbacks, and a strong determination to endure until successfully implemented.
Draft everyone in the region between the ages of 18 and 18 1/2 on the start date.
Boys go to one of the three training camps in the host country. For example, all Israeli boys between 18 and 18 1/2 would report to one of the three training camps located in an Arab country. Arab boys between 18 and 18 1/2 would report to one of the three training camps located in Israel.
Girls report to one of the three training camps in their own country.
For six months, permit no one to leave the training camps. Teach fundamental skills to everyone and permit free religious expression within the camps. Start with vigorous physical training similar to a military boot camp. Begin language training for all. Choices include:
If Arab, Hebrew or the language of any of the sponsoring countries.
If Israeli, Arabic or the language of any of the sponsoring countries.
After six months,
- Permit any girl a pass to visit her family in the host country for five days provided she acts as an escort and takes one or more of the boys with her.
- Move two thirds of each camp to the other two camps (1/3) to each.
- Start a new group in each of the camps (E.G. Step 2)
The camps now contain a mix of people who are just starting at Step 2 and those ready to move on. The remaining steps are for those who have been with the program for six months. They will now begin public works projects in the hosting country and be permitted off the camp during daylight hours only with an escort. For example, an Arab boy is permitted to visit the villages nearby the camp he is assigned provided an Israeli girl is with him at all times.
After nine months, permit any boy a pass to visit his family in his own country for five days provided he take one or more of the girls with him.
After one year,
- Move two thirds of each camp to the other two camps (1/3) to each.
- Move the second group up.
- Start a new group in each of the camps.
- Permit any boy or girl from the first group to visit his/her country provided they are escorted as before. Allow them to work out and decide which family to visit.
- Continue to permit the 5 day passes every three months for the duration of their service in this fashion.
- Continue the public works projects for the duration.
- Continue moving two thirds of each camp every six months.
After 24 months, their service is completed and they may return home. It would be expected that during the course of this time, a few would choose to marry and start families. Those who have decided to marry will be given free land and housing in a buffer of land between the neighboring countries. If after five years, the young couples are still married, they will be given the opportunity to live and work in any of the sponsoring countries for a year.

Anticipated problems and penalties:

Problem: A draftee refuses to co-operate with the training received.
Penalty: Prison for remaining time of his/her draft.

Problem: A draftee is killed while being escorted on leave by a third party.
Penalty: The escort and immediate family of the escort are held responsible. The escort and immediate family go to prison for five years in the neighboring country. All possessions of the immediate family are destroyed. When released from prison, they will be taken to a point 100 km from the border and will be left to the kindness of the neighbors for return home.

Problem: A draftee is killed by another draftee.
Penalty: The draftee and immediate family of the draftee are held responsible. The draftee is punished according to the local laws of the land he/she is in. The draftee family is imprisoned for five years in the neighboring country. All possessions of the immediate family are destroyed. When released from prison, they will be taken to a point 100 km from the border and will be left to the kindness of the neighbors for return home.

Problem: A draftee is killed by someone in the host country.
Penalty: The person and his/her immediate family are held responsible. The person is punished according to the local laws of the neighboring country. The person's family is imprisoned for five years in the neighboring country. All possessions of the immediate family are destroyed. When released from prison, they will be taken to a point 100 km from the border and will be left to the kindness of the neighbors for return home.

Problem: All other offenses of local laws.
Penalty: According to local customs.

Definitions:

Buffer of land: take an equal section of land from each country along the border and expand as necessary.

Escort: a draftee who takes responsibility for another in order to leave the camp to visit family or to perform public works.

Everyone: every living person regardless of condition or position.

Immediate family: mother, father, all brothers, sisters, and children.

Public works projects: building homes or providing basic utilities such as water, gas, electric, phone and sewer lines.

Sponsoring countries: Part of the logistics to be worked out. These countries are those that would sign up in advance to provide work and housing for a year to any couple that request it.

Training camps: facilities that will need to be constructed prior to the start date. It is imperative that these be completely secure facilities and it is suggested that the sponsoring countries provide a portion of this security and perhaps a portion of the trainers.

Notes:

Know before undertaking such suggestions that a multitude of problems and special situations will occur. Human nature will want to keep a young mother with her child. Many will have special needs. It will be difficult to imprison sick and elderly and to destroy the possessions they have worked a lifetime to acquire. I urge you to allow no exceptions for any reason.

Continue these suggestions for a generation. These suggestions may seem unduly harsh. I propose that they are no worse than your current situation and at least are predictable. After a generation has passed under these rules, lift the draft, and live in peace.