The Right Return

ACTION MEMORANDUM

TO: The Next President of the United States

FROM: Chuck Freilich

DATE: September 1, 2008

SUBJECT: The Right Return

"The Israeli-Palestinian "peace process" is in deep trouble, and unless we pursue bold new approaches, it may soon be dead. If that happens, the situation could deteriorate further into violence and terror, with severe consequences not just for the sides themselves, but for the entire region and U.S. interests.

One such bold approach would be to turn upside-down the assumption that the refugee issue can only be settled after a final status agreement is achieved. It may be possible not only to save but also to re-invigorate the peace process by Israel’s offering to begin the resettlement process beforehand. Such a proposal, if supported by the next U.S. administration and other relevant international actors, could break psychological barriers and help ease the politics of a final status accord...."

Read the full text here.