One democratic state

The predicted imminent collapse in the West Bank (a prelude to the Gaza scenario) is begining to happen: no gas, no money, ethnic cleansing, pogroms by settlers etc. This should remind us of certain truths. For decades, people of conscience around the world have worked tirelessly
for justice in Palestine. We have marched, educated, organized, documented violations of international law, supported humanitarian relief, and challenged systems of oppression. Your dedication has helped transform global awareness. What once seemed unspeakable is now
widely discussed: apartheid, settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, corruption of the Oslo created regime, and the denial of fundamental human rights.

Public opinions shifted dramatically because a genocide is a game changer. Yet awareness alone is not enough. We must also have the courage to advocate for a political vision that is just, practical, and rooted in universal human rights. That vision is one democratic state in all of historic Palestine. It is the only solution. It is moral, just, and achievable.

Many of us long argued that it was a delusion to think of "two states solution" for the logical reasons you can see in my 2004 book Sharing the Land of Canaan (available here
https://qumsiyeh.org/sharingthelandofcanaan/ ). But even those who supported that idea of "two states" with good intentions oer ut of ignorance have now come to realize the intrinsic nature of Zionism: expanding colonial control (now also Lebanon and Syria), settlements, annexation, fragmentation of Palestinian communities, discriminatory laws, military brutality, pogroms, and the genocide and ethnic cleansing. For decades now, we did have one state from the river to the sea ruled by an apartheid regime. We should not continue to pursue a mythical political formula that does not corresponds to reality. Instead, we must work toward a future that does.

The alternative is not endless conflict but a single democratic state based on equality before the law, equal citizenship regardless of religion or ethnicity, constitutional protections for all communities, and full respect for international law and universal human rights. Such a state would recognize the dignity and security of all people regardless of their religion (or lack thereof) while addressing historical injustices through truth, accountability, restitution,
reconciliation, and the implementation of internationally recognized rights, including the rights of Palestinian refugees. This is a post-Zionist (post-colonialist) world that is the ONLY course short of catastrophic global war that destroyes our civilization.

We learn from history that some 170 countries arrived at a postcolonial history where descendants of colonizers and descedents of colonized share the country (although to various degrees of decolonization). We learn that colonial struggles rarely end-up in scenatrios like those in Algeria (removal of colonies) or the US and Australia (large scale genocide). We also see many examples of societies overcoming entrenched systems of discrimination and racism.
South Africa's transition from apartheid is one example, though every
society must find its own path. Durable peace is built not by
separating peoples behind walls or in concentratoin camps (as
happening here) but by guaranteeing equal rights, shared institutions,
and mutual respect.

This vision rejects supremacy in all its forms. It affirms that no one can achieve lasting freedom by denying the freedom of another. We are destined to share this land. The real question is whether we will do so under a regime of domination or within a democratic society where
every individual enjoys equal rights and equal responsibilities. The international solidarity movement now has an opportunity and a responsibility to help shape this future. Instead of defending unrealistic diplomatic formulas, we should build a broad movement around clear principles:

Equality for every human being.
An end to discrimination and systems of ethnic or religious privilege.
Full implementation of international law and human rights.
Justice for refugees and all victims of displacement.
Democratic governance with constitutional protections for everyone.
Reconciliation based on truth, accountability, justice, and shared humanity.

This is not merely an idealistic aspiration. It is the only realistic democratic and achievable solution. Every year that passes without equality deepens injustice and makes future reconciliation more difficult while bringing teh world to the edge of catastrophe (as is seen now with the ilegal Israeli/US war on Iran and other countries t advance perceived Zionist interests). Movements change history. They begin with ordinary people who refuse to accept injustice or the mindless march to armageddon as inevitable and who organize around a compelling moral and just vision. The campaign for one democratic state requires educators, students, artists, faith communities, trade unions, academics, legal scholars, health professionals, environmentalists, and all people committed to justice.

We invite you to join us in building this movement. Let us replace despair with hope, division with partnership, and exclusion with equality. Let us work together so that every child born between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea or born in exile grows up with dignity and peace. The future belongs not to separation and domination but to democracy, equality, and our shared humanity. Please join the BDS campaign (http://bdsmovement.net) and also the One Democratic State campaign (https://onestatecampaign.org/en/). Read, discuss, organize, educate, and help build the broad international movement that this historic moment demands.

The time is now.

Mazin Qumsiyeh