Benjamin Netanyahu Comes to Washington With Hopes for Peace

The sheikhs of Hebron in the West Bank have proposed a groundbreaking peace initiative seeking to break away from the Palestinian Authority and establish their own emirate that coexists peacefully with Israel.

Their letter to Israel's economy minister demands recognition of Israel as the Jewish state, withdrawing from Palestinian nationalist aims of reclaiming all refugees to preserve this identity.

They aim for economic opportunity and self-governance for their people, arguing that the current Palestinian Authority regime suppresses prosperity and peace prospects.

Despite criticisms that Israel is employing a divide-and-conquer strategy, the sheikhs view the proposal pragmatically since a traditional Palestinian state is seen as unlikely, especially after the failure and terrorist control of Gaza.

This plan challenges decades of top-down Palestinian governance and could redefine peace efforts with a multi-state or tribal approach in the West Bank, emphasizing coexistence and economic progress.

• Five Hebron sheikhs negotiated with Israel's economy minister Nir Barkat over months before signing a peace proposal.
• They seek to form an independent Hebron emirate recognized by Israel, breaking from Palestinian Authority control.

• Critics call the Hebron emirate plan an Israeli divide-and-conquer tactic undermining Palestinian nationalism.
• The sheikhs believe Palestinian statehood is unlikely and seek pragmatic coexistence and economic growth instead.