Grassroots Commentary
Two State Solution: Israel and Palestine
That is not the question.
The vast majority of Israel and much of the West Bank agree: The million dollar question rather is -- What kind of kind of states?
We know Israel to be the only functioning democracy in the Middle East, a country where over a million Arabs live as full citizens: safely, securely, and viably. Some are judges, doctors, and members of parliament.
However, if the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority (with or without their prior blood enemies, yet current partner, Hamas) become racist and Jihadist dictatorships like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and others in this area, then what exactly are the advantages to a peace treaty for Israel?
Should they become a democracy, protective of all religions and races -- wonderful. I have no doubt most on both sides would then welcome them with open arms.
The elephant in the room remains, however, the Jews living in the settlements throughout the disputed territories, those remaining on the West Bank after cosmetic adjustments incorporating, into Israel proper, the main population centres close to the '67 border.
Yet the Palestinian Authority has made it abundantly clear that no Jews would be allowed in any future state. This does not bode well for peace -- it's hard to find a more racist and discriminatory position that legislates for hate and enmity. Jews and bibles are banned from Saudi Arabia; the persecution of minorities is predominant in the Middle East. Why is it impossible to follow Israel's example where Jews, Arabs, Christians, Druze and others all live with reasonable comfortability and equality under the law.
Another "Judenrein" state smacks of Nazi Germany, not a peace-loving West Bank come to terms with the adjoining Jewish state of Israel. Most of the Jewish settlers would be happy to live there as part of a new democratic state, provided their safety was reliably guaranteed.
No reason why existing populations are not all respected, unless indeed the ultimate goal of some of the Arab leaders is not only a Jew-free Palestine, but a Jew-free Israel as well.
3 Comments
Mary
Friday, May 25, 2012 at 11:09 PM
If I had killed your mother , and then I promised you that I would give your rights .. Would you be happy ?? So cruel hah?
Asaad Sakhel
Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 2:45 PM
I'd say a solution must be found anyways so that no more innocent people are killed. My opinion is to put the West Bank under Jordan's rule for a certain time until a functioning Palestinian democracy is established in the West Bank as a basis for a future Palestinian state. The West Bank was under Jordan's rule anyways until 1967. There are so many people here wishing to enter and exit the West Bank without having to apply for a visa to Israel/West Bank so that they can visit their relatives. These are the ones who are having the hard time. Many people, particularly the older one, wish they could go back to the years prior to 1967 when they could just take the bus from Amman to Jerusalem. They would have lunch in Jerusalem and then dinner in Amman. My father was one of them.
wjm in Colorado
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 1:34 PM
What we need is a One State Solution, and Israel should do to the Palestinian Nomads what every other state in the region has done to these human roaches since recorded history began, and anihilate them with extreme prejudice, and use the land for their and their citizens own benefit. There has never been a Palestinian State, and for the good of the World, there never should be one! Islam only exists to take over the entire world.