A Roadmap to a Commonwealth of Greater Jerusalem
By LTC (Ret.) Arthur A. Arduna

The issues between Israelis and Palestinians in search of an acceptable solution for separate Palestinian and Israeli nations are very complex. Consideration should be given to a new vision that argues peace and prosperity may result from a voluntarily negotiated interdependence of Israel and the proposed nation of Palestine

perhaps called The

Commonwealth of Greater

Jerusalem in which each nation remains sovereign. This interdependency arrangement would permit resolution of conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians that cannot be settled in any other way because it provides an opportunity for sharing whateTvehre c Caonmnomt obnew deivaildthed o.f

Greater Jerusalem is to be a symbiotic society comprising the nations of Israel and Palestine, each governed by their respective governments. The two nations would be uniquely bound together to insure justice for the citizens of each nation currently residing in the other nation's territory by negotiating and agreeing to a shared core set of common laws based on comCmoomn

mvaolunewse, aalth Bill of Rights

applicable to citizens of both nations.

As sovereign nations, each government retains the right to promulgate and enforce additional laws applicable equally to all individuals living within its national boundary, so long as these additional national laws do

Cnootm vmioloantew tehaelth Bill of Rights.

To protect each nation's interests, regardless of residency, only Israeli citizens may vote in the Israeli political process, and only Palestinian citizens may vote in the Palestinian political process.

The City of Jerusalem, the jewel that sheds its rays of light touching the hearts and minds of Israelis and Palestinians alike, will comprise three sectors: one to be under Israeli sovereignty (the Israeli seat of government), the second under Palestinian sovereignty (the Palestinian seat of government). The remainder of the City of Jerusalem is to become a Sacred Enclave, its perimeter contiguous with both the nation of Israel and the nation of Palestine.

The Sacred Enclave, comprising the many holy sites sacred to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, sets the tone

for a peaceful Commonwealth

of Greater Jerusalem.Said

eCnoculnavceil iosf aHdomlyi nMisetnered by a (representing Judaism, Islam, and Christianity) enjoined to preside over the Sacred Enclave under the rules a priori established by the Commonwealth

of Bill of Rights.Said enclave is held in trust by the council enjoined to ensure that the holy sites are available to satisfy the devotional needs of each faith.

The Gaza Strip remains Palestinian. Other Palestinian lands are as negotiated between the Palestinians and the Israelis, Palestine being contiguous with that sector of the City of Jerusalem under Palestinian sovereignty.

Each nation is to be policed solely by its own police force, armed with weapons and potency as agreed to between the two nations. However, to insure Israel's security, Israel will retain primary responsibility for the military defense of the Commonwealth of Greater

Jerusalem against foreign threats. Initially, Israel's Armed Forces' fulfillment of that role assures Israel's security; and Palestine benefits by being relieved of the financial burden involved, money best spent on economic development.

Hopefully, this roadmap contributes something of value to the vital current Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiations. The healing effects produced by a successful conclusion to the negotiations may even serve as historical global tipping point that blunts the growing conflicts now engulfing the world in blood.