with Dr. Limor Yehuda

Abstract 

In A Two-State Solution That Can Work: The Case for an Israeli-Palestinian Confederation, Omar M. Dajani and Limor Yehuda argue for a reimagined two-state solution centered on a confederal model that combines self-determination with partnership. They propose a confederation that would allow Israel and Palestine to function as independent, sovereign states with clear borders, while fostering cooperative governance on shared issues like security, infrastructure, and public health.

This model addresses the shortcomings of traditional separation-based solutions, such as the unfeasibility of evacuating settlers and the persistent interdependence between Israelis and Palestinians due to the region’s small geographic area. Instead of enforcing physical divisions, a confederation would permit free movement, enable residents of each state to live across the entire territory (including West Bank settlers and returning Palestinian refugees), and utilize shared institutions to address overlapping interests.

The authors argue that this framework resolves the ethical and logistical problems of previous peace attempts, as it does not impose dominance but promotes equality through joint institutions and respect for individual and collective rights. They also suggest that international support, potentially through a transitional administration, would be crucial in helping establish the institutions necessary for a viable Palestinian state and long-term peace.

Ultimately, Dajani and Yehuda’s confederation vision aims to replace the paradigm of dominance with one of equal partnership, providing a sustainable path to peace that addresses both peoples’ attachments to their shared homeland.