By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a surprising development, five sheikhs from Hebron have expressed their desire to separate from the Palestinian Authority. They are seeking to join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel as a Jewish state, according to The Wall Street Journal. The sheikhs have engaged in over a dozen meetings with Economy Minister Nir Barkat since February. They have also requested that he present their letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Five Hebron sheikhs propose peace with Israel by establishing an independent “Emirate of Hebron” that would join the Abraham Accords. Now, that’s a headline that certainly grabs your attention, and it’s causing quite a stir. The core idea is to create a small, self-governing entity in the Hebron area, south of Jerusalem, essentially forming an independent “Emirate” within the West Bank’s current C Sector. The proposal also suggests including the emirate within the Abraham Accords, the groundbreaking normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations.
The concept is somewhat akin to a series of city-states or emirates, each managing its own affairs like policing, education, and local services. The area’s security would presumably still be handled by Israel. This approach mirrors the Emirates Plan, proposed by Dr. Mordechai Kedar, which suggests that independent city-states in the West Bank, governed by local clans, could be a more stable path to peace compared to the ongoing pursuit of a unified Palestinian state.
The plan focuses on shifting power away from political organizations like Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, placing it instead in the hands of local leaders and trusted communities. The sheikhs see this as a way to sidestep the current political stalemate and create a more pragmatic approach to peace. The article suggests these sheikhs have long-standing ties with Israel, and they may have seen the current PA as inefficient or ineffective.
One crucial aspect is the potential involvement of Jewish settlements within the proposed emirate. These bilateral agreements would presumably allow settlements to function inside this new state-like entity. It is worth noting that Hebron is a major West Bank city and houses about a quarter of the West Bank’s Palestinian population. This isn’t a small endeavor, especially when you consider the population size could reach about the same as a country like Luxembourg or Malta.
The timing of this proposal is definitely interesting, given the current geopolitical climate. The Palestinian Authority has struggled for many years, and its alleged connections to Russia and its historical ties to the Soviet Union could be factors. The argument is that this plan allows for local leaders to govern without outside meddling. This is something to keep in mind in a region that is already complex and has always been politically volatile.
Of course, there are questions and challenges to consider. The idea of “Bantustans” or divided territories, where there is an inherent imbalance of power, is something many people would be wary of. However, the proponents of the plan suggest it is proposed by the local residents, not as a racial enclave, but as a traditional clan, and their history in the area suggests they are genuinely interested in peace. The devil, as they say, is in the details. The success of any such plan would depend on the specifics of negotiations and the willingness of all parties to compromise.
Furthermore, the concept of a Right of Return for people of Jewish descent, could also be at play, potentially adding another layer of complexity to an already intricate situation. The history of the region is deep and layered, and how the people view themselves could influence any possible peace agreement. This situation is not easy and requires a significant amount of introspection.
Ultimately, the proposal by the Hebron sheikhs represents a potentially new direction in the search for peace. It prioritizes local leadership and offers a framework for a more pragmatic approach. Whether this initiative will gain traction and succeed remains to be seen. While the plan has its flaws, it shows a willingness to move forward by those most impacted and is an attempt to break away from a stalemate that has lasted for far too long.