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GUEST: Josef Avesar, founder of the Israeli- Palestinian Confederation

Josef Avesar is an Israeli-born lawyer based in Southern California. But in his spare time, as founder of the Israeli- Palestinian Confederation, Josef tries to convince anyone who will listen, that he has found a potential solution to the Middle-East conflict. Israelis and Palestinians, he says, do not have to wait for their respective elected representatives to bring about peace. They can do it themselves by forming a confederation government consisting of delegates representing both peoples.

The basic idea is this: The entire region of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip would be divided into 300 districts, apportioned by population. Each of the districts would elect a representative to the confederation, and work to pass legislation to benefit both peoples. Safeguards against majority rule over a minority would mean requiring a “super majority” to pass laws. A super majority would mean 60 percent of the delegates would have to agree to pass a law. But of that 60%, at least 25% of votes would have to come from whichever group was in the minority at the time [Note, this has now changed to requiring at least 55% of votes from each side to pass legislation]. Both the Israeli government and the Palestinian authority would have veto power.

Currently, of all the residents living in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, 6 million are Israeli Jews, while 4 million are Palestinians, including Arab Israelis. While Israeli Jews are in the majority today, Palestinians are expected to take over in numbers eventually due to higher birth rates.

Josef Avesar believes that this idea is a path to peace. Based on existing models of confederation governments in Europe, the Israeli-Palestinian Confederation would not be a substitute for either government, rather it would work in parallel, and even as a bridge between the two government authorities. According to Avesar, this method “would not impinge on the sovereignty of either the Jewish state or its Palestinian counterpart.”

There will be a debate this Thursday March 15th from 6-9 pm at the Santa Monica Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

The debate panel will feature Saree Makdisi, Professor of English Literature at UCLA, Roberts Seid, Historian. Research and education consultant for “Stand With Us,” Kamal Nawash, Palestinian born attorney based in Washington D.C., and Josef Avesar, Israeli born attorney based in Los Angeles, CA. The panel will be moderated by David Marcus.

There will be a donation of $15.00 with students at half-price.

Space is limited. For more information and tickets, go to www.aboutipc.org
or mail your check for $15.00 to Israeli-Palestinian Confederation,
15915 Ventura Blvd.Ste. 302, Encino, CA 91436. For reservations call (818) 317-7110. For directions and parking visit www.smpl.org