Why a Two State Solution In Syria is Necessary

Special to Channel613.com

Historical Context

The devastation that has occurred in both Israel and Gaza has shown that Palestinian Arabs will not be placated with land here and there next to Israel. Palestinian Arabs deserve to have self-determination in a democracy that is free of the totalitarianism that was Hamas.

Historically, there was once a Syria Palaestina – a Roman province formed on the site of Judea after the suppression of the Bar Kokhba uprising in 135 CE. It existed until the end of the 4th century, after which it was divided into three Palestines (Prima, Secunda and Tertia). The time of the existence of Syria Palestinian, as a Roman province, was one of the periods of the existence of Roman Palestine.

The phrase “Palestinian Syria” is found in the Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BCE). In 390, Palestine Syria was divided in the Byzantine Empire into Palestine I, Palestine II and Palestine III. This situation existed until 1917.

Modern Syrian History

Syria’s modern history began under French control, with France establishing a republic in 1930 while maintaining colonial authority. Though an independence treaty was negotiated in 1936, true independence didn’t come until after World War II. The French withdrawal was marked by violence, including a brutal crackdown in Damascus that killed 400 Syrians before British intervention finally forced French troops to leave in 1946.

The newly independent Syria faced immediate instability. The country’s defeat in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War triggered a series of military coups in 1949, beginning with Colonel Husni al-Za’im’s takeover. The decade that followed saw rapid turnover in government, with frequent cabinet changes and constitutional revisions. During this period, the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party gained influence, particularly after helping overthrow Adib Shishakli’s regime in 1954.

In 1963, a Ba’athist coup established the party’s long-term control over Syria. Hafez al-Assad, who had been part of the Ba’athist military committee, seized power in 1970 through an internal coup known as the Corrective Movement. He would rule Syria for three decades, establishing a powerful security state and centralizing authority around himself and the Alawite minority. When Hafez al-Assad died in 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad succeeded him, maintaining the family’s authoritarian grip on power despite initial hopes for reform. Under both Assads, Syria maintained a strong alliance with Russia and Iran while remaining in a technical state of war with Israel, particularly after losing the Golan Heights in the 1967 Six-Day War.

The Proposal

This article suggests the formation of a future Democratic State of Syria Palaestina – a province that existed long ago. The current situation in Syria is a disaster waiting to happen. Iran can step in and fill in the gap and Turkey could very well turn rogue and become the new enemy of western civilization and Israel. The rebels in Syria are predicted to be no better than Assad was and the world needs to step up to the plate and make the world a safer place.

Now that the reality in Syria has changed so drastically, why not restore things to the way they were historically, but this time with a democracy in place rather than a Roman province? What is suggested in this article is a paid and subsidized population exchange wherein Palestinian Arabs and Christians can have self-determination in the Levant – where they truly originated.

Historical Precedents: Population Exchanges

The population exchanges described below played significant roles in reshaping countries and fostering relative peace during periods of intense conflict. While these exchanges caused hardship for individuals, the negative consequences were primarily logistical rather than inherent to the concept of exchange. With modern approaches, these negative impacts could be largely eliminated.

The Greek-Turkish Population Exchange of 1923 was part of the Treaty of Lausanne and involved the relocation of approximately 1.5 million people: Greek Orthodox Christians from Turkey to Greece, and Muslims from Greece to Turkey. This exchange contributed to peace by resolving ethnic and religious tensions after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the Greco-Turkish War. By settling populations based on religion and ethnicity, the exchange prevented a continuation of bloody conflicts between the two nations.

Following World War II, the Czechoslovak-Hungarian Population Exchange saw ethnic Hungarians in Czechoslovakia (about 45,000–120,000 people) moved to Hungary, while around 72,000 Slovaks moved from Hungary to Czechoslovakia. This exchange aimed to consolidate national borders based on ethnicity and mitigate tensions that had arisen during the war, especially after Hungary’s role with the Axis powers.

The Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 represented one of the largest population exchanges in history, with an estimated 10–15 million people migrating across newly drawn borders based on religious lines. Though the partition itself was catastrophic, it aimed to resolve religious and ethnic conflict between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs by creating separate nations. In the long run, it allowed the creation of two independent states, reducing the likelihood of inter-religious conflict within each state.

The Cyprus Population Exchange of 1974 followed a Turkish invasion in response to a Greek-backed coup. This resulted in the displacement of around 140,000 Greek Cypriots from the northern part of the island, and 60,000 Turkish Cypriots were moved from the southern part to the north. While the relocation was traumatic, it prevented further bloodshed between the two communities by establishing clearer territorial lines.

In 1865, the Ottoman Empire’s Population Transfer moved approximately 40,000 people from the North Caucasus, mostly Circassians, from Russia’s Terek Oblast to the Ottoman Empire following the Russian conquest of the Caucasus. While many Circassians were displaced or killed in the process, the transfer helped reduce the threat of resistance to Ottoman rule in the region.

Why Jordan Is Not the Solution

Many have tried suggesting that the two-state solution lies in re-settling Palestinians in Jordan. However, this approach faces several significant challenges. The “Jordan is Palestine” concept represents an existential threat to Jordan, which has proven relatively stable. Jordanian writers have expressed concern about the potential increase in the number of Palestinians in Jordan, noting this would result in the de facto elimination of their country to appease Israeli interests.

This approach also unfairly shifts responsibility. Scholars Ryan and Hallaj have argued that this plan unjustly places the burden of Palestinian homelessness on Jordan while exonerating others. Previous attempts at implementation have failed, including the 1985 effort at a combined Jordanian-Palestinian initiative. Confederation talks broke down over leadership issues and timing, with even PLO leader Arafat insisting on “five minutes of independence before beginning negotiations with Jordan.”

While Palestinians and Jordanians share extremely close ties, have intermarried for generations, and retain a shared history, any cooperation should only come after the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, with both peoples freely choosing how to interact as independent nations.

Economic Development Framework

The west should step forward with developing an economic platform for the future state of Syria-Palestine. This framework encompasses several key regions and sectors requiring specific development approaches.

Western Syria along the Mediterranean coast should focus on developing its rich agricultural potential. The cities of Latakia and Tartus could serve as major agricultural processing centers, particularly for citrus fruits and olives. Modern irrigation systems should be installed throughout the coastal plain, taking advantage of the higher rainfall in this region. The ports in both cities need significant modernization to handle increased agricultural exports, with new storage facilities and quality control systems.

Northern Syria, particularly the Aleppo-Hasakah plains, should prioritize large-scale grain production. This region has historically been Syria’s breadbasket, and modern farming techniques could significantly increase yields. A major irrigation network should be developed, drawing water from the Euphrates near Al-Raqqa, requiring construction of primary canals and secondary distribution networks, along with modern pumping stations.

Central Syria, centered around Homs and Hama, requires development of water-efficient farming methods due to its more arid climate. Winter rains should be captured in new reservoir systems, while greenhouse farming near these urban centers could provide year-round vegetable production. A major agricultural research center in Homs could focus on developing drought-resistant crop varieties and training farmers in modern techniques.

The Eastern region around Deir ez-Zor presents unique opportunities for development along the Euphrates River. The existing irrigation systems need complete rehabilitation, with modern pumping stations and efficient water distribution networks. This area is ideal for date palm cultivation, which could become a major export crop. Fish farming projects along the river could provide additional food security and export potential.

In Southern Syria, particularly around Daraa, the focus should be on water-efficient farming techniques. Modern drip irrigation systems should be installed throughout the region, and strong transportation links to Jordan’s markets should be developed. This area could become a major vegetable production center with proper investment in processing facilities.

Infrastructure and Sector Development

The energy sector requires significant investment in both traditional and renewable resources. The oil fields in Deir ez-Zor need modern equipment and infrastructure, while the eastern desert regions present excellent opportunities for solar power development. A comprehensive power distribution network must be built to connect rural areas to the grid.

The education system needs complete modernization, with rebuilt universities in major cities and new vocational training centers in each governorate. International partnerships could bring expertise and resources, while distance learning programs could reach rural populations.

Healthcare development should focus on building regional hospitals in each governorate, supported by mobile medical units for rural areas. Medical training facilities need to be established to address the shortage of healthcare workers, and pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity should be developed to reduce dependency on imports.

Tourism infrastructure requires careful restoration of historical sites such as Palmyra, the Aleppo Citadel, and Krak des Chevaliers. Eco-tourism opportunities along the coast should be developed, supported by new hospitality training programs and modern airport facilities.

The technology sector presents opportunities for future growth. Major cities should establish tech hubs with startup incubators and IT training centers. Modern telecommunications infrastructure is essential for this development, requiring significant investment in fiber optic networks and mobile communications systems.

Key Objectives

This proposal aims to accomplish five critical goals. First, it would provide Palestinians with genuine self-determination in their own democratic state. Second, it would help preserve and protect life in Gaza. Third, it would eliminate the threat of extremist organizations like Hamas. Fourth, it would ensure Israel’s security needs are met. Finally, it would promote world peace and stability by preventing the emergence of another radical Islamic state.