Synthaholic,
et al,
In a different kind of world, with a different kind of people, this might actually be workable. But we are talking about the Middle East, with the changes it has over time.
The Right-Wing extremists in the U.S. all want a wall with Mexico, but I never hear them scream for a wall around Israel. Why not? It's much smaller and easily doable.
Basically along the red line. Have it patrolled by a special United Nations force which would be paid for by the rich Arab states and Israel.
(COMMENT)
No self-respecting country and no self-respecting people, give-up the right to protect themselves; entrusting their safety and security into the hands of another; those that have no vested interest to risk their lives for the lives of others.
The continuing sage of the Arab-Israeli Conflict started when the turn-of-the-century Allied Powers saw the need to establish a Jewish National Home for their preservation, security and protection --- back then and into the future. The whole idea, from the western standpoint, was in recognition that the Jewish people were an oppressed people and very worthy of culture that needed special attention and a place of their own. While they never envisioned the Holocaust of the 1930's and 1940's, they were well aware of the abuse, victimization and oppression the Jewish Culture had suffered over the centuries; and were attempting to right the wrongs of the past.
When it became obvious to the Allied Powers that certain enemy territory was to become politically pliable, the flexible leaders of that day realized that the administration of certain territories, within such boundaries as may be determined by themselves, was to come into their charge. This territory, they recognized, had a historical connection to the Jewish people appeared suitable for reconstitution of the Jewish National Home, their place of retreat --- safety --- and comfort. Little did they realize, nearly a century ago, the were setting the conditions for a new 100 Years War. Today, as we approach the anniversary of those momentous decisions of the Balfour Declaration, The Faisal-Weizmann Agreement and the San Remo Convention, Israel
(the reconstituted Jewish National Home) is still under duress by destructive forces, and the people and culture that were meant to be secured, preserved and protected, still face Jihad and Armed Struggle from those counterproductive elements that withhold recognition of "Israel" and the legitimacy of its presence on any part of Palestine, from the river to the sea; utterly failing to work out the "consummation of their national aspirations"
(Arab or Jewish).
It is unlikely that given the criminal behaviors of the Arabs over the last century, and the history of oppression experienced by the Jewish People, are either going to disarm. Certainly the Jewish People are never going to allow the political pressures of the European Powers to place them in a position that would ever allow a brutal and violent culture of people like the Arabs to replicate the oppression of the Central European Powers of the 1930's and 1940's.
Just my opinion.
Most Respectfully,
R
