Helping a Palestinian State Succeed: Key Findings

Research Summary

q       This executive summary lists out the key findings of two earlier studies of RAND namely “Building a Successful Palestinian State”, and “The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State”, in an attempt to carry it forward with suggestions for implementation.

q       The success of the new Palestinian state depends on good governance and legitimate leadership contributing to economic and social development, territorial contiguity, status of religion, and the freedom of refugees to resettle.

q       The essentials to achieve good governance are opening Palestine’s borders, prosperous economy, managing the refugee absorption, guarantying security, and bolstering initial years by significant international assistance.

q       All the above said issues require significant effort and international assistance besides a great deal of reforming the existing government institutions and practices. The summary analyzes each of these aspects in detail.

q       The second study examines the present demography of Palestine and suggests options for innovative infrastructure required to effectively address the demands when the new Palestine state is created.

q       Highlighting the population density of Palestine and the possible inflow of a great number of refugees following the emergence of the new state, a new transportation system called ‘Arc’ is suggested by the study linking Jenin in the northern West Bank to Gaza City and Gaza Airport, passing through Palestine’s major towns and cities.

q       The concept of the Arc treats Palestine as an urban space, addressing a wide range of issues like water carriage; communications and power lines; gas and fuel pipelines; and transportation.

q       At a point when a critical majority of Palestinians, Israelis, and the International community seriously look towards a negotiated settlement leading to an independent Palestinian state, the studies contain certain valuable insights to move forward.

q       This paper is of great interest in effectively summarizing the propositions of the two earlier studies thereby presenting their findings in a nutshell for the use of policymakers.

Read the full report

Back to Islamic / Arab Research Reports