Elias Baboun, a 59-year-old educator and political activist from Bethlehem, has spent nearly two decades advocating for reconciliation among Palestinians and peace with Israel. His vision includes an Israeli-Palestinian federation and a broader Middle Eastern confederation to promote stability and prosperity in the region.
Born into a Catholic family, Baboun grew up during a time when political expression in the Palestinian territories was stifled. This upbringing instilled in him a lifelong belief that dialogue and education can pave the way for lasting peace. “The younger generation of Palestinians does not know Jews, only soldiers,” Baboun explained. “They don’t know there are good people there. The same goes for Jews. They haven’t seen Palestinians, only those who threw stones and carried out attacks.”
Baboun's career began in education, but after witnessing the stagnation and division within Palestinian society, his work evolved into a political mission. He founded a network of technical schools across the West Bank and Gaza, only to encounter challenges when funding was revoked due to the political climate. The loss of funding led him to realize that the future of his students depended on internal Palestinian reconciliation. “After trying to work with several nonprofits, I discovered that politics comes before everything else. That’s when I began considering political work,” he said.
Over the years, Baboun has met with prominent figures, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. He’s also spoken with Israeli politicians. Despite ideological differences and political pressures, Baboun maintains his independence, insisting, “There are three players: Fatah, Hamas, and Israel. I talk to all three.”
Baboun’s main plan is to establish a federation encompassing Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, with three political capitals—Tel Aviv, Gaza, and Bethlehem—and one religious capital, Jerusalem. According to the plan, Jerusalem will receive international status to guarantee freedom of worship for all. Baboun emphasizes that the region’s holy sites should be accessible to all faiths, promoting coexistence and mutual respect.
The plan includes an initial ten-year phase dedicated to rehabilitating Israeli and Palestinian conflict victims and fostering regional development. “Since 2005, I’ve been contemplating this. I studied the topic independently, developed several plans, shared drafts with others, and refined them based on feedback. Now I have a clear vision,” Baboun said.
Baboun’s proposal extends beyond borders, suggesting a Middle Eastern confederation encompassing Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. He believes such cooperation could transform the region economically and socially. “The land belongs to God, not just to Jews or Muslims,” he said. “Why are we killing each other when we could cooperate on human issues and build instead of destroy?”
Baboun also advocated for a governance structure that ensures balanced representation for Israelis and Palestinians, addressing concerns about demographic shifts. “We must find a place for all three groups, regardless of population size,” he said.
While Baboun acknowledges the failures of past peace initiatives like the Oslo Accords, he remains optimistic about his plan’s potential. “We need to try this approach for 30 years,” he argued, emphasizing the importance of integrating political, economic, and religious considerations into a cohesive framework.
Public reactions to Baboun’s vision vary. While he is widely respected in Bethlehem and has connections in Gaza and Israel, the political landscape remains fraught with challenges. Despite this, Baboun remains undeterred. “In the absence of hope, this is hope,” he said.
This article was translated from Hebrew by Marina Levy
