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In a rare glimpse into past peace efforts, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has publicly unveiled a map he presented to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas during 2008 negotiations—one that could have redrawn the region’s borders and established a Palestinian state.
Speaking in a yet-to-be-aired BBC documentary Israel and the Palestinians: The Road to 7th October, Olmert described his proposal as a historic opportunity for peace. “This is the first time that I expose this map to the media,” he said in the interview.
The Offer: A Palestinian State on 94% of the West Bank
According to Olmert’s map, Israel would have relinquished 94% of the West Bank to form a Palestinian state. In return, Israel planned to annex 4.9% of the West Bank but would compensate with land swaps—offering Palestinian-controlled areas near the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The proposal also included a major infrastructure project: a highway or tunnel connecting the West Bank to Gaza, ensuring territorial continuity for Palestinians.
Jerusalem: A Shared Capital Under International Oversight
One of the most contentious aspects of any peace deal has always been Jerusalem. Olmert’s plan envisioned a divided city, with both Israel and Palestine claiming parts as their capital. To manage the Old City and its religious sites, a special international committee would be formed, consisting of Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United States.
Had the plan been accepted, the BBC noted, dozens of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Jordan Valley would have been evacuated—similar to Israel’s 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, which saw the dismantling of Gush Katif settlements.
‘An Historic Opportunity’—That Never Materialized
During the negotiations, Abbas reportedly took the proposal seriously, telling Olmert, “Prime Minister, this is very serious. It is very, very, very serious.”
Olmert recalled feeling they were on the brink of a breakthrough. “We parted, you know, like we are about to embark on a historic step forward,” he said.
However, no agreement was reached, and talks collapsed soon after. Olmert was forced to resign amid corruption allegations, and the political landscape shifted.
Reflecting on the failed peace effort, Olmert made a striking claim in the documentary: “In the next 50 years, you will not find one Israeli leader that will propose to you what I propose to you now.”
The interview sheds new light on a moment when peace seemed within reach—but ultimately slipped away. Whether a similar opportunity will arise again remains an open question.
*With information from The Jerusalem Post (jp.com)
