We should first move to reduce religious tensions throughout the Near East by ensuring that all holy cities, Jerusalem, Galilee, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Mecca (Saudi Arabia), and Medina (Saudi Arabia), be held in international trust. Each city should be governed by those who find them holy. Mecca and Medina should be governed by Muslims with equal representation for all major sects. Jerusalem should have control divided up between the major Jewish sects, major Christian sects, and major Muslim sects. Galilee, Nazareth, and Bethlehem should be governed by representatives of the major Christian sects. This would reduce religious tensions by ensuring that no one nation can claim any of the holy lands. Throughout history that had been a common cause for conflict between Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Second, the 1948 UN map should be restored, contingent on Palestine adopting a secular (or at least non-discriminatory) and free government. Israel must do the same, as well. Palestine absolutely has a right to exist, but so does Israel. Religious extremism hampers peace, as has been seen throughout the long conflict over ownership of the Holy Land.
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