Policy Brief: Israel-Palestine

 

Policy Brief

Beyond Division: Egalitarian Shared Sovereignty for the Israel–Palestine Conflict

Author

Dr. Jorge Emilio Núñez, Manchester Law School, UK

Executive Summary

The Israel–Palestine conflict, ongoing for over 75 years, has caused approximately 120,000 deaths and $100 billion in economic losses (UN estimates, 1948–2023). Despite decades of negotiations, both one-state and two-state solutions have proven problematic, largely due to their reliance on exclusive sovereignty and their failure to accommodate the region’s plural identities and normative systems.

This brief proposes egalitarian shared sovereignty, a model developed by Dr. Jorge Emilio Núñez, in which sovereignty is shared across agents (e.g., states, communities, individuals) and levels (e.g., local, national, regional), and distributed equitably to ensure no single group dominates decision-making or institutional control. By integrating Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Druze, and Bedouin norms and leveraging regional cooperation, this approach offers a credible path to peace in the Middle East.

Background and Context

Historical Overview
Rooted in competing claims to land and identity, the conflict escalated through the 1947 UN Partition Plan, the 1948 and 1967 wars, and the ongoing occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Peace efforts, such as the Oslo Accords (1993) and the Arab Peace Initiative (2002), have stalled over disputes about Jerusalem, borders, and refugee rights.

Sovereignty and International Law
Traditional sovereignty, defined as one state’s exclusive control over territory, is unworkable in Israel–Palestine, where overlapping settlements, contested sites (e.g., Jerusalem), and diverse legal, religious, and indigenous systems require a cooperative, multidimensional framework.

Núñez’s Framework: Egalitarian Shared Sovereignty

A Multidimensional and Equitable Model
In Cosmopolitanism, State Sovereignty and International Law and Politics (2023), Dr. Núñez defines egalitarian shared sovereignty as a governance model in which sovereignty is shared across agents (e.g., states, communities, individuals, institutions) and levels (e.g., local, national, regional), and distributed equitably to prevent any group from dominating decision-making or institutional control. Like a cooperative where all members have equal say, it ensures inclusive governance. Key features include:

• Shared Power: Authority is distributed among diverse stakeholders.
• Multilayered Governance: Decisions span local councils, bi-national bodies, and regional organizations.
• Normative Pluralism: Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Druze, and Bedouin norms shape governance (e.g., family or land laws).
• Adaptability: Governance evolves with social and political realities.
• Equity: Marginalized groups, such as Bedouin communities, gain equal influence.

Evidence of Success
Shared sovereignty has resolved disputes in the region. For example, Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel, facilitated by regional dialogue, established cooperative border management. Similarly, the Egypt–Israel Camp David Accords (1978) demonstrate how regional mediation can foster lasting agreements. These precedents support the model’s applicability to Israel–Palestine.

Application to the Israel–Palestine Conflict

Practical Implementation

• Jerusalem’s Shared Council: By 2027, form a bi-national council with equal Israeli and Palestinian representation to manage municipal services and religious sites (e.g., Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa).
• Dual Citizenship Model: Pilot a program by 2028 allowing Jerusalem residents to hold Israeli or Palestinian identities while sharing rights (e.g., local voting, healthcare access).
• Joint Resource Management: Expand the Israel–Palestine Joint Water Committee (est. 1995) to oversee water, energy, and transport, with a $10 million budget by 2026.
• Normative Integration: Incorporate Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Druze, and Bedouin legal principles into local governance, starting with pilot courts for family law in 2027.
• Regional Mediation: Engage the Arab League or neutral states (e.g., Jordan, Egypt, Qatar) to mediate and monitor a three-year pilot phase (2026–2029), with public progress reports.

Addressing Challenges

Obstacles: Hardline factions, fears of sovereignty loss, and mistrust may impede progress.
Solutions:

• Start with low-risk pilots, such as water management, building on the 1995 Oslo II agreements.
• Use regional mediators (e.g., Jordan, with its 1994 treaty experience) to facilitate dialogue.
• Ensure transparency through annual reports audited by the Arab League.

This phased approach, inspired by regional successes like the Jordan–Israel treaty, preserves identities while fostering cooperation.

Policy Recommendations

For Regional Actors (e.g., Arab League, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar)

• Fund $5 million (2026–2028) for studies on shared sovereignty frameworks in the Middle East.
• Support a $10 million pilot for joint infrastructure in Area C by 2027.
• Promote diplomatic language emphasizing “cooperation” over “division.”

For Civil Society

• Launch online campaigns (e.g., videos, infographics) to explain shared sovereignty by mid-2026.
• Form networks of Israeli, Palestinian, Druze, and Bedouin leaders by 2027.
• Host dialogue forums in Jordan or Qatar by 2026 ($1 million budget).

For Israeli and Palestinian Authorities

• Establish a joint task force (Knesset, Palestinian Legislative Council) by June 2026 to draft shared governance plans.
• Test dual citizenship in Jerusalem by 2028, using existing residency frameworks.
• Initiate a $15 million joint public health project (e.g., hospital collaboration) by 2027.

Conclusion

The Israel–Palestine conflict demands a cooperative, equitable solution. Dr. Núñez’s egalitarian shared sovereignty model—distributing power fairly across diverse groups and levels—offers a proven alternative to divisive statehood models. By leveraging Middle Eastern regional mediation, stakeholders can build trust and achieve lasting peace.

References

• Núñez, J. E. (2023). Cosmopolitanism, State Sovereignty and International Law and Politics: A Theory. Routledge.
• Núñez, J. E. (2025, forthcoming). Territorial Disputes in the Americas. Routledge.
• Núñez, J. E. (2020). Territorial Disputes and State Sovereignty. Routledge.
• Núñez, J. E. (2017). Sovereignty Conflicts and International Law and Politics. Routledge.

AUTHOR’S SAMPLE PEER-REVIEWED ACADEMIC RESEARCH (FREE OPEN ACCESS):

State Sovereignty: Concept and Conceptions (OPEN ACCESS) (IJSL 2024)

AUTHOR’S PUBLISHED WORK AVAILABLE VIA:

AMAZON

ROUTLEDGE, TAYLOR & FRANCIS

Friday 25th July 2025

Dr Jorge Emilio Núñez

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