Avi Gil Proposes Permanent Eastern Border for Israel
Former official Avi Gil suggests defining a permanent eastern border now, decoupling it from final political status.
Key points
- Avi Gil urges Israel to define a permanent eastern border without waiting for final status talks.
- He argues that governing millions of Palestinians indefinitely threatens Israel's democratic character.
- Gil suggests based on 1967 lines with land swaps to secure international support.
Former Foreign Ministry director-general Avi Gil urged Israel to define a permanent eastern border. This call appears in a recent column for The Jerusalem Post. He argues against delaying this decision until final status negotiations are complete.
The discussion coincides with the 33rd anniversary of the Oslo Accords. It also marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Shimon Peres. Gil links these historical moments to the current need for clear territorial boundaries.
Assessing the legacy of Oslo agreements
According to Gil, the Oslo process failed due to several factors. These include Hamas terrorism and the weakness of Palestinian leadership. He also cites the expansion of Israeli settlements and right-wing government policies.
However, he maintains that the core logic of the agreements remains valid. He states that Israel cannot govern millions of Palestinians indefinitely. This is especially true if Israel seeks to remain a Jewish and democratic state.
Gil notes that Shimon Peres initially preferred a Jordanian option. He also considered a confederative model. The specific phrase “Palestinian state” does not appear in the original Oslo Accords, he points out.
Separating sovereignty from security borders
Gil proposes separating the issue of permanent borders from political arrangements. He suggests a sovereignty border to ensure a Jewish majority. This would preserve the democratic character of the state.
He distinguishes this from a security border. A security border could allow control up to the Jordan River. This control would last as long as circumstances require it.
International support for land swaps
An internationally acceptable agreement would likely be based on the 1967 lines. This would involve land swaps. Gil believes this approach could keep major settlement blocs under Israeli sovereignty.
He sees Donald Trump's presidency as a potential opportunity. This could help gain American, Arab, and broader international support. Such support is crucial for stabilizing the region.
