Welcome
The purpose of this conference is to explore which state model would be the best to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, respecting the rights to self-determination of both Israelis/Jews and Palestinians. Despite the current diplomatic focus on the two-state model, the continued failure to bring peace to the region highlights the necessity of rigorously examining all options for a resolution of the conflict. The conference seeks to systematically measure the two state model against the promise of alternatives; very specifically the potential in the model of a single bi-national state.
The central goal of the conference is to focus a scholarly lens on a wide range of issues pertaining to one and two state models. These would include, among other relevant topics, possible federal and parallel state models, democracy and constitutional design, immigration and refugee return policies, resource allocation, gender and nationalism, and the role of religion. Mindful of the fraught context in which debates relating to Israel/Palestine unfold, this conference aims to open up a measured and thoughtful conversation on the range of possible paths out of the current impasse.
The framework for the conference invites robust academic critique of the deficiencies and perils of both models. The security and human rights of all individuals and peoples of the region remains a fundamental governing principle of the conference’s vision.
Dedicated as we are to achieving the scholarly goals of the conference, we are committed to ensuring that neither anti-Semitism, nor any other form of racism, has any place in this forum. This commitment will inform both the conference and all aspects of its planning process.
We will be approaching an international publisher with a view to preparing an edited collection of the papers presented at the conference. Final decisions on the inclusion of specific papers will be made following their submission to the organizers. Presenters are encouraged to submit paper drafts by June 1, 2009.
While the political future can be decided only by the peoples of Israel/Palestine in future negotiations, we believe that pursuing this visionary exercise is an important part of the ongoing search for justice and peace in the Middle East.
Israel/Palestine: Mapping Models of Statehood and Paths to Peace is co-sponsored by Queen’s University and York University, and is an official U50 initiative, part of York University’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.