Position Paper

Advancing a Free and Democratic Palestine with Equal Rights for Israelis and Palestinians

Subject: The Strategic and Moral Benefits of Supporting a Free, Democratic Palestine: Ensuring Equal Rights for All

Executive Summary

For decades, the two-state solution has been a cornerstone of U.S. policy in West Asia and North Africa (AKA the Middle East), believed by many to be the best way to achieve peace and stability in that region. However, the reality on the ground has shifted dramatically. The territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea is now functionally a single political entity where roughly 14 million people — about 6.5 million Jewish Israelis and 7.5 million Palestinians — live under a system determined by Amnesty International to be “a cruel system of domination and a crime against humanity.”1 Americans increasingly recognize that the tax dollars sent to Israel have not achieved the policy goal and should be redirected for other purposes, including domestic needs.

Supporting the establishment of a free, democratic Palestine on all of historic Palestine, that guarantees full equality for all inhabitants — Jewish, Muslim, and Christian alike — is a moral imperative, will benefit all people who reside in that land, and it is a strategic necessity for the United States. Such a framework aligns with American values of democracy, equality, and self-determination while fostering long-term stability in a region vital to U.S. interests.

1. A Free Democratic Palestine Strengthens Regional Stability

Sustainable peace cannot be achieved under conditions of disenfranchisement and occupation. The ongoing reality fuels instability across the region, contributing to the refugee crises, radicalization, and cycles of violence that endanger U.S. allies and global security.

A unified democratic framework through one democratic entity with equal rights would:

· Reduce regional tensions by addressing the primary sources of unrest in the region.

· Encourage democratic governance across the region, offering an alternative to authoritarianism and extremism.

· Protect U.S. strategic interests by stabilizing trade routes, reducing humanitarian crises, and preventing further regional conflict.

Amnesty Apartheid Against Palestinians Report

2. Equality and Human Rights Reflect Core American Values

The U.S. has long claimed to champion the principles of liberty, justice, and equality before the law. Yet, current realities in the region — lack of protection, dispossession, movement restrictions, and unequal access to resources for the Palestinian people, along with the absence of self-determination for the Palestinian people — contradict these values.

By advocating for equal rights under the law for Israelis and Palestinians alike, Congress can help promote:

· Rule of law and accountability, essential to lasting peace.

· Protection of minorities and religious freedom, key to democracy’s durability.

· U.S. credibility abroad, showing that our commitment to human rights is consistent and principled, not selective.

3. Economic and Social Benefits of a Shared Democracy

A free and democratic Palestine on all of historic Palestine would unlock immense economic potential. The region’s human capital, technology, and cultural resources could fuel joint prosperity. The World Bank and regional development agencies estimate that open borders and equal economic participation could multiply GDP growth for both peoples, thus eliminating the dependency on foreign aid.

Key benefits include:

· Expanded regional trade and innovation through cooperative industries and infrastructure.

· Improved humanitarian outcomes, lowering U.S. aid burdens in the long term.

· Creation of a model for coexistence that could inspire other conflict zones.

4. Policy Recommendations for Congress

1. Support Equal Rights: Condition U.S. aid on compliance with international human rights and anti-apartheid standards.

2. Promote Accountability: Encourage impartial investigations into human rights violations.

3. Invest in Peacebuilding: In the aftermath of decades of violence, Congress should fund civic, educational, and technological initiatives that foster coexistence and joint economic growth.

4. Encourage Diplomatic Reassessment: Urge the U.S. State Department to review current frameworks and explore the concept of a One Democratic Palestine with equal rights. The U.S. should move away from the traditional support for Israel and the two-

state model, which no longer reflects on-the-ground realities and violates international law.

Conclusion

The United States has a moral and strategic interest in promoting democracy, equality, and justice in the Holy Land. A free, democratic Palestine with equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians offers the only sustainable foundation for lasting peace and stability. Supporting such a vision is not only a stand for human dignity but also a practical step toward regional stability and U.S. security.