Devolution: The way forward for the Middle East

There is actually a straight-forward solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. It involves the concept of "devolution", what the UK did with respect to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Island. In Scotland, they have their own parliament, which is roughly similar to a "state legislature" in the US, with some differences. The Scottish Parliament handles things like education, healthcare, law and order, infrastructure, and other Scotland-specific issues, and has their own "First Minister". However, economics and foreign policy still get handled in Westminster, the UK Parliament. And it works out great, and the vast majority of Scots would not have it any other way. They get all the advantages, economic and otherwise, that a relationship with the wider UK involves, but also get to handle their own internal affairs, like criminal Justice, schools, etc., with relative autonomy. This system preserves the concept of a "United Kingdom" in terms of currency, foreign affairs, military, etc., but gives the Scots a sense of self-determination as well. It is the perfect compromise between on the one hand no recognition of Scotland versus Scottish independence, which would be an economic disaster for her, and most Scots realize that. It works, and it it works great.

So too could we have one Israel, including Judea and Samaria (the so-called "West Bank") that would balance the legal right of Israel to all her lands (see Balfour, 1917) with the desire for indigenous Arab populations for recognition. A "Palestinian State" could have its own Parliament and leadership and handle things like healthcare, education, infrastructure, etc. while remaining part of a broader Israeli state, much as Scotland is part of the UK. This could work - there is no reason why it could not - and the economic lot of the Arab populations would be vastly improved as a result, much as Scotland has much better economic opportunities as part of the UK than it would outside that.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair supported the establishment of a Scottish Parliament under the late initial "First Minister" of Scotland, Donald Dewer, during the late 90's. Mr. Blair is now an "elder statesman" who enjoys fancying himself as a "peace envoy" and likes to "opine" about the Middle East. Well, why not take a chapter from his own political history. Why not propose the concept of devolution, which he so enthusiastically promoted for Scotland, and, which has, in all fairness, worked well, for the Middle East situation as well.

The UK will forever be united, as a people of different histories, but with the same underlying ideals. One can only hope that such could come to pass in the Middle East as well. Israel should also be forever united, even with its different ethnic groups. This is consistent with history, international law, and humanitarian concerns.

I am surprised frankly I have not heard of such a proposal before for the Israel - Palestinian conflict. But I am also certain I cannot be the only person to have thought of it.

To me this is the only "legal, moral, and winnable" (to channel Jason Priestley regarding Vietnam) option at this time. To simply have one state of Israel (which I am on record as agreeing with) is in my judgement both legal and moral, but the "realities on the ground" of today call into question the realism of that. Having a "devolved Parliament" for Palestine much as Scotland has seems to me a good way to meet legal and moral ideals with current realism.

Mr. Blair, here is your chance to be the "elder statesman" you really could be. Bring your treasured "devolution" concept to the Middle East.