Is a single, democratic state in Israel-Palestine the only option left? An interview with Jeff Halper.
So far this year, Israel has demolished 140 houses in the Occupied Territories, displacing 702 Palestinians, bringing the total for displaced persons since 2009 to 3,045. The demolition of Palestinian residences and the continued building of new settlements in the Occupied Territories are just two indicators that time is running out for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Is it time to let go of the two-state solution and consider a single democratic state?
Jo Ann And Dave speak with Jeff Halper, who believes that Israeli and U.S. policies have made the single state the only option left to us. Halper is director and co-founder of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICHAD) and a long-time peace activist who believes the current fragmented state of the Occupied Territories makes a viable, sovereign Palestinian state unworkable. He believes its time to look at a regional approach that is democratic but supports national identities. Halper, who was nominated for a nobel prize for his human rights work, will be speaking at a free event on Sept. 22 at the First Unitarian Church about why he has taken up this single state concept.
Jo Ann Hardesty is a former state legislator, former director of Oregon Action and past board president of Portland Community Media, as well as a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, environmental, labor and peace movements for over 20 years.
Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "donation jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).
Co-Hosts: Jo Ann Hardesty and Dave Mazza
Producers: Dave Mazza and Jo Ann Hardesty
Program Engineer: Steve Nassar
Audio Editor: Alicia Olson