An issue left unresolved for seven decades
The Palestinian issue is the oldest unresolved crisis of the contemporary world. It arose from the occupation of land, the displacement of millions, repeated violations of human rights, and successive wars, with each generation confronted by new sufferings and new questions. The solutions proposed so far by Western powers and certain regional mediators have either centered on imposed compromise or obscured the reality of occupation through fraudulent partitions of Palestinian territory. The result is clear: No lasting peace has been achieved, nor has the displacement ended, nor have security and justice been established. This book begins at that very impasse, asking why existing prescriptions have failed and what realistic, just, and democratic solution can finally break this vicious cycle.
A critique of conventional solutions: From compromise with the usurping regime to normalization
The dominant framework of previous plans has turned Palestine into a bargaining chip. This includes negotiating with a regime founded on force, accepting token self-governing authorities in place of genuine sovereignty, or pursuing normalization in the hope that the issue will be resolved by an America that sees itself as a global hegemon. These approaches have ignored both the root of the crisis – the denial of the right to self-determination for the land's original inhabitants – and the will of the Palestinian people. Consequently, such approaches have resulted in nothing less than the further occupation of Palestine by the Zionist regime.
A national referendum: The Islamic Republic’s proposal for a just and democratic solution to the Palestinian issue
This book, through a systematic compilation of the perspectives of Imam Khamenei, which are grounded in Islamic principles, puts forward a clear and testable solution: the holding of a national referendum across the entire historical land of Palestine among all original Palestinians, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews, following the return of all refugees to their homeland, in order to determine the structure of governance.
Within this framework, the votes of the true owners of the land are collected through a democratic process, namely by popular vote. The central features of this plan are as follows:
1. The right of return for all Palestinian refugees to their homeland
2. Holding a disciplined and inclusive referendum under credible international supervision
3. The establishment of a government elected by a Palestinian majority, with sovereignty over all of Palestine.
4. Entrusting decisions regarding non-native, immigrant settlers to the government formed by the popular vote
The book explains that this solution is not only consistent with the fundamental principles of democracy but also aligns with established standards of international law, from the right to self-determination to the mandates of humanitarian law. Furthermore, a practical framework for its implementation has been submitted to the United Nations, where it has been made available as an official document.
Why the “referendum” works: Three dimensions of its efficacy
The moral dimension: Its standard for judgment is the inherent right of the land’s original inhabitants. The plan excludes no religious group and recognizes Palestinian Jews and Christians alongside Muslims. As such, it is rooted in impartial justice.
The legal dimension: The right to self-determination is a universal principle. A referendum serves as the instrument for realizing this right, aligning with the precedents set by the advisory opinions of international legal bodies.
The operational dimension: Moving beyond slogans, the book provides a practical roadmap for implementation. This includes identifying and registering the comprehensive identity of Palestinians, forming an international executive committee with the participation of Palestinian representatives, establishing a support fund, and designing mechanisms for electoral oversight and voter security. The result is a step-by-step path: from the return of refugees, to voting, to the formation of a government, and ultimately, to the exercise of national sovereignty.
The relationship between resistance and democracy in this framework
This work regards the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian nation not as a substitute for democracy but as the very force that compels its implementation. So long as the rights to vote and return go unrecognized, the people’s resistance to oblige the occupier to accept a referendum remains both a moral and political right. In other words, resistance and a referendum are two sides of the same equation that lead to Palestinian sovereignty over the entirety of Palestine.
Structure and content of the book
The book is organized into two main chapters.
Chapter One begins with a precise critique of the “failed solutions,” presenting the rationale for resistance, the rejection of imposed compromise, and the necessity of restoring the criterion of “Right”.
Chapter Two explains in detail the Islamic Republic’s thesis: From the principle that Palestine belongs to the Palestinians and their right to decide, to the details of conducting the referendum, the scope of participation, the role of international institutions, and the four stages of implementation. The appendix contains the official text submitted to the United Nations, which documents the legal and operational framework for the proposed “national referendum.”
Who should read this book?
This book is essential reading for researchers and students of West Asia studies, international law and peace studies; for civil society and media activists; for policymakers and diplomats; and for all readers seeking a solution that is just, democratic, and viable to end one of the longest conflicts of the century. It provides a theoretical framework, an operational roadmap, and legal foundations. Above all, it champions the voice of the Palestinian nation as the ultimate criterion for resolving the issue.
The “Palestinian Referendum” is an invitation to abandon the dead end of baseless agreements and return to the clear path of Justice and the Ballot. If we truly desire lasting peace, sovereignty must be restored to its rightful owners – and this book charts the exact course to achieve it.
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