plan can be perverted, and this possibility is no argument against it. The plan as such, executed in the same spirit in which it is offered, should be the subject of debate. The real question is: Can the Palestinian republic become a living organism, a more or less equal partner with Israel?

i answer the question in the affirmative. True, after twenty years of Jordanian and Egyptian rule, both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are devoid of any industry. Just now, they are no match for Israel in this sphere. But things have to be viewed in a more dynamic context. The settlement of the refugees and the restoration of the Arab territories to their natural place in a unified country will give their economy a boost on the road to economic prosperity. Politically, the very fact that this will be an Arab republic, a part of the Arab world with which Israel has to deal, will give the Palestinian republic a status of importance beyond its own resources. It will become the natural bridge between Israel and the Arab world.

This idea of a bridge is central to our concept. We don't want a quisling state, serving Israel and considered as treasonous by the other Arab peoples. On the contrary, the Republic of Palestine, in order to fulfill it's natural function as a bridge of peace, must be a true expression of the Palestinian nationality, led by true leaders, and acceptable to the Arab world.

We do not conceive the Palestinian solution as opposed to a regional settlement-but rather as a step toward it, and eventually as a part of it. Even today, the products of the West Bank, mainly agricultural, daily cross the Jordan bridges and fords, on their way to Transjordan, Kuwait, even Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Many Palestinians travel from the occupied territory to Transjordan and back, to conduct their business. Thus, owing to the situation of the Palestinian Arabs, the cease-fire lines are not as hermetically closed as the old armistice lines, which were crossed only by terrorists, soldiers and smugglers. Palestine already serves as a bridge.

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