Shusha
Gold Member
- Dec 14, 2015
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I think it's more complicated than the article lets on - it's a bit one sided.
Yes the settlements are an obstacle, a big one from the Palestinian perspective as it literally prevents a second viable state and yes, Netanyahu has been giving lip service to a two state solution and buying time by ramping up the settlements.
BUT
There are other obstacles to negotiation that need to be recognized.
Lack of a negotiating partner who can speak for all the Palestinians.
Continued violence against Israeli civilians.
I think a 3-state solution should be considered...
The fact that there are Jewish people who might one day be living in a State of Palestine is in no way a barrier to peace or a two State solution -- unless the Palestinians make it one by refusing to permit Jews to live in their State.
But the reason behind the argument that they ARE a barrier is truly an obstacle. And they are part of the same problem which leads to continued violence against Israeli civilians. Its all cut from the same ideological cloth.
The conflict won't be solved until the Palestinians make some ideological changes. The problem with the Palestinians trying to make these ideological changes is that a good portion of Palestinian/Arab/Muslim society is vehemently against making these changes. They continue to hold to the, let's be honest here, extremist idea that the Jewish people absolutely can not have a nation, nor have self-determination, nor have even a single acre of land unless thoroughly subjugated under Arab Muslim rule, as per the example of modern Iran. They continue to hold to the extremist idea that the Jewish people had no history in the land and thus have no rights to it. They continue to believe that there was never a Temple on the Temple Mount and that Jewish religion and history is corrupt and fundamentally untrue in fact, as well as theology.
The problem for a government of Palestine is that if they negotiate for peace with Israel half the population will be satisfied and the other half will see it as a betrayal and start a rebellion. (witness the events in Gaza after the 2005 Israeli withdrawal). It is the risk of a civil war within Palestine and the resulting aftermath, which is good for no one (again witness Gaza). A government of Palestine, in even negotiating a peace treaty, let alone accomplishing one, is writing the letter of its own demise, at best and potentially far, far worse. If the choice is between a civil war within your own country, a war you are probably going to lose, and fighting an enemy -- its pretty darn easy to go after the "enemy".
The idea of "land for peace" died with the Gaza withdrawal. Israel is not going to play that game again. Because Israel is fully aware that the problem is not land, or settlements. Or Israel. Or Jews. Its extremists. Its extremist thinking.