r/JewsOfConscience Jewish Anti-Zionist Dec 01 '23

AMA AMA with Suheil Yassin from One Democratic State Initiative on Sunday Dec 1, 9 AM EST, r/JewsOfConscience

r/JewsOfConscience is excited to host an AMA with Suheil from the One Democratic State Initiative on Sunday, December 1, at 9 AM EST. You can post questions here that will be added to the AMA, or even better show up at that time.

From the ODSI website about their mission:

The One Democratic State Initiative is a Palestinian political endeavor that aims at making the central issue “A Jewish state or a democratic state?” (rather than simply solidarity with Palestinians or criticism of Israel without a definite political objective) the core of the Palestinian liberation discourse, a key milestone in the struggle for the decolonization of Palestine.

The purpose of the Initiative is thus to mobilize individuals, entities and political parties, in Palestine and abroad, to network behind such an endeavor. To do so, we are reaching out both online and on the ground to individuals and groups who support the One Democratic State solution, who see Zionism for the danger it is but do not support the One Democratic State solution, or who are simply willing to listen.

The more people take part in our campaigns, the more successful we will be. If you share our vision for a transition from settler colonialism to democracy in Palestine, we urge you to declare your support for it by signing up and checking the “I might be able to help” box to take part in the Initiative—There’s tons to be done, and you can make a difference.

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u/GreenIguanaGaming Arab Muslim Ally Dec 01 '23

Hi. I'm not Jewish but I do love this subreddit.

If I may be allowed to ask some questions.

  1. Realistically there are generational wounds, there are fears and anxieties and there is also deeply seated hate in most Israelis with zionist sympathies and some Palestinians as a result of the abuse they've received. What would the first steps look like? What are reasonable fears that should be curtailed given the history?

  2. What is a realistic time line for such an initiative?

  3. This is technically the main issue regarding the topic of peace - - Israel has overwhelming power and Palestinians are extremely weak. Israel under zionism is a settler colonialist state (on top of being apartheid/ ethno nationalistic). There is no incentive for Peace with Palestinians because zionists and settlers want the land. So basically what can be done about the disproportionate power that Israel has in this discussion and the future of Palestine/Israel?