Is the Two State Solution Dead?


The assumption, at this time, is that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a two-state solution. One will be Jewish (Israel) and the other Arab (Palestine). This latter state is to be comprised of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria -- according to many Israelis) and Gaza (which is currently facing an Israeli invasion). These two parts of this future Palestinian state are not only not contiguous, nor are they governed by the same entities.

The "Road map," as proposed by the Bush Administration, and agreed to in principle by most of the West and Russia, is rooted in this principle. But little success has been obtained, for while we're told that a majority on both sides would agree to such a solution, the facts on the ground mitigate against such a solution. One of the biggest obstacles is the growing presence of Israeli settlements throughout the West Bank, settlements that are connected to Israel proper and to each other with Israeli only roads. These roads and check points divide up the Palestinian territory into what essentially are cantons, little city/states that can't reach each other. If a two state solution were agreed to, would these settlements be removed? It's difficult to foresee such a thing. There is another problem, and that is the Jordan Valley, which Israel seems keen on controlling. If they do, then the Palestinian state would be essentially encircled by Israel. How would this work?

The other night I was watching Bob Simon of CBS, who lived in Israel for about 10 years, on the Charlie Rose show. Apparently, 60 Minutes is running a piece Sunday night about the conflict. Simon stated that history has likely passed the 2 - state solution behind. The current front runner in the upcoming Israeli elections is Benjamin Netanyahu, of the rightest Likud Party. Netanyahu has never been supportive of a 2-state solution, so if he wins the election, then will he be willing to work with an Obama administration in reaching an equitable peace plan?

I ask all these questions because I'm not certain all the parties, on either side are committed to a solution to the problem. And I'm wondering if the solutions considered are such that in the end Jimmy Carter was right, what is and what will be is something akin to apartheid.

Indeed, the options open, if a true two-state solution is not possible, include a one state solution with the vote given to Palestinians. That won't happen anytime soon, because the demographics aren't on the side of Jewish Israelis. Such a state won't be Jewish, though it could be quite democratic and open. Another solution, and the one that's pretty ugly, but seems possible, is an institutionalization of what is now present -- Israeli control, with cantons, separate Palestinian enclaves. That is apartheid. Oh, and the other option, which could go either way, is ethnic cleansing.

So, you see, this isn't pretty! My hope is that things can be different, but who has the will to make it different? And where do we, especially we who are both American and Christian, come in?

Here's the Simon interview:


Comments

John Shuck said…
Bob,

I think you spelled this out well. One thing could happen, suggests Rabbi Michael Lerner, is to go to the pre-1967 borders, and those Jewish settlements will have to live under the new Palestinian government.

That is the only fair way. That will be the U.S.'s responsibility to make happen.

If Obama isn't strong enough, we will like you say be left with those awful options.
The Prophet said…
The punishment of the arrogance of the U.S.

"And with a claimed strong voice, saying," Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great room and has become the den of demons and evil spirit throughout, and shelter for all unclean and hateful bird.
Because all nations have drunk the wine of the wrath of fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury. "(Revelation 18,2-3)

During these last several weeks have been negative news to shake the United States.
The material that caused the disaster Hurricane "Ike" in Texas, the collision of two trains occurred in Los Angeles where 10 people died, the financial crisis that is leading to bankruptcy for large companies like Leman Brothers and others, the crisis that still inmobibliaria endures, high inflation and mismanagement of course that President Bush has given the nation, all these things could be classed as "shock" the pride of the American people used to live in waste and wantonness.
And if they join the thousands who died from the attack on the twin towers, or more than a thousand people died from Hurricane Katrina, or the moral degradation that is coming to American society. All this evidence lugubre the scenario that today the United States.
The next president to be elected may not change much this negative reality.
But the Evangelical Church in the United States can not do something to change this, but even when these churches seem more concerned about their property and political alliances that change the poor spiritual reality in the United States.
This nation for many years has shown hostility to Latino immigrants who enter the country, and warfare with other Arab countries especially.
The administration of President Bush is leading the U.S. confrontation with the world, and probably also look to do with God.
The methods used by the anti-American government and also its people's traditional generosity desdicen previously demonstrated the United States, but now seems to show much pride and arrogance.
Of course one can not generalize to all people.
However, the beating that this nation is experiencing both economic and climatic are a clear warning from God that the United States correcting their wrong policies that have for the world.
Otherwise it is likely that in a short time will get from the trial of God over this nation as it sobrevinieron to other countries such as China or Burma.
The true Christian churches in this country should check the distance in a very clear and with more strength to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to avoid being influenced by the prevailing darkness in this nation. A dark and that is affecting many countries.
It is time we hear the voice from heaven speaks to our conscience by saying: "Come out of her, my people, so do not be partakers of her sins, and receive of her plagues, for her sins have reached to the sky, and God has remembered her iniquities. "(Revelation 18,4-5)
Anonymous said…
There are Palestinians who believe that the Madhi (Muslim Messiah) won't return until the whole area is Muslim. They wish to eradicate Israel's existance or if it were possible convert all Jews to Islam. I used to think, it was just a tiny small portion of Palestinian's who believed that, but I now think that there are as many who believe that as don't. So Israel's feeling is that, the more you concede the more the Palestinians will demand, believing Allah is giving them victory. I don't believe that peace will come to that region until God deals with it. I think, many Palestinians and Jews have suffered so much that all they have left to live for is the religious meaning they have attached to their suffering. So they feed the suffering to feed that meaning. All I can say, is that, the only thing that will change the hearts is those who are willing to embrace the suffering with the people, and draw from it a meaning rooted in love. Read Lamentations and the words of Christ in Matthew, the Sermon on the Mount. In that region, hate is stronger than death, many are willing to die for hate. The only love that will change that is love that is stronger than death, you have to be prepared to die for those ppl to make love and peace have an impact. Christianity in the west is often very shallow, the USA is spiritually dangerous because it is materialistically so rich. It is not a very good place to be united to the suffering's of Christ. Does anyone agree, disagree with any of what I have said, I may be wrong its just ideas not developed.
Robert Cornwall said…
John,

I'm not sure that Israel will leave the settlements outside their protection. That might work, but I'm not sure it'll happen.

Simon says that the only way we can really influence Israel is to cut off aid. Bush Sr. threatened it, the only President to do so, but ultimately didn't have the political will to go through with it.

Its funny how Bush 41 and Bush 43 took such different tactics with Israel.
John Shuck said…
That's it, Bob. These bombings are courtesy of the U.S. taxpayers.

It is time to keep this conversation on the front burner.

Is the U.S. going to fund apartheid?
Anonymous said…
Why not a 3-STATE solution on palistina ?

Help the westbank and shut off Gaza. The stick and the carrot. Palestinians will SEE a better westbank.

Make of (some parts of) palestina example regions by massive support.
A few cheap truckloads western overproduction will convince more, it should be really more.

West must not set a unachievable myth goal where no one actual in believes.
Let palestinians really SEE what the good alternative is on running around with green towels and machine guns.
You can't blame any side for being sceptic and not believing in words an myths.

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