Speaking at the UN, President President Mahmoud Abbas took an unprecedented position in the course of what have become increasingly common warnings over the lack of progress on a two-state solution. He conceded that the one-state solution is an option.
That’s not a position Palestinian officials historically like to talk about. For a long time, establishing an independent Palestine next to Israel has been the only game in town. Israeli policies, Abbas warned, are “gravely undermining” the two-state solution.
But while a one-state solution is something that Israel’s far-right has long advocated,it’s clearly not the same state as Abbas envisions. Abbas warned that the Palestinian Authority would “continue the struggle and demand full, equal rights for all inhabitants of historic Palestine.”
Equal rights is clearly a deal-breaker for most of Israel’s current coalition government, which has been working on law changes to ensure that Israel’s status as a Jewish-ruled state is never undermined by any pretense of democratic character. Since a one-state solution would give Israel an Arab majority, this would clearly be an issue, if they’re given any sort of voting rights.
Abbas is ready to give Israel lebensraum. This will pave the way to the final solution to the Palestinian question.
I’ll hold my breath. Maybe not.
Go back in time, and we see the Palestinians wanted a one-state solution, and the two state idea came from the Israelis, forced on the Palestinians. Then, when the Israelis did force it, they did a Lucy and pulled the football away from the Palestinian Charlie Brown.
Given the disdain of most Israeli’s for the Palestinians that solution will be nigh impossible. Palestinians will for a long time remain second-class citizens of that single state. That is nothing new. Those living in Israel already are.
Much smarter Palestinians than Abbas have been saying this for awhile. Those who make a two state solution impossible, make one state inevitable. This will eventually destroy Israel as a Jewish-majority state.
I suspect Abbas has known this for awhile. His nest is feathered until now by pretending.
Now the show he put on is ending. He’s closing it down. That is significant.
Everybody knew this for a while. Abbas is irrelevant. It is Israel’s supporters in US that want to keep two state fantasy alive. For as long as this corpse could be kept propped up, the question of Israel’s borders can be delayed. It is no secret that Israel covets parts of Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Palestinian leader could not ever admit that they lost and Israel won. That the partition that gave them part of Palestine is ancient history, and no occupied territory is going to be returned.
Once Palestinian leadership accepts that — then the entire enchilada is
In Israel’s lap. The issue becomes the one human and political rights of Palestinians in common state — state with borders recognized by its neighbors.
It is significant that the statement comes following the deal between Abbas and Hammas. Israel can digest West Bank and East Jerusalem. But not Gaza. In order to get a one state solution, Israel must let Gaza go. With some international guarantees, a two state solution can redefined.
Well, unless the no-state solution catches up globally. Which it may.
Demographic trends. Although my point may be based on some out-of-date data, now that I look at it. The NY Times (Israel’s Looming Demographic Crisis) and Boston Globe did some relevant stories recently. They discuss another problem I hadn’t considered: how Israelis will be able to maintain a decent quality of life despite the rate of population growth. Doubly so for the Palestinians, with the Israelis stealing so much of their water.
Everyone is a foreign agitator who is not kneeling down in front of every Israeli whim. Sorry, Americans are just as sick and tired seeing the Congress abdicate its responsibility to its citizens fighting for Israel’s never ending problems. Arabs are not doing “fine” in Israel. The ridiculous restrictions wnd daily cruelties are clear for the world to see.
The problem must be solved, but Israel has no incentive to solve snything any time soon. The longer it lingers, the more land under occupation will Israel appropriate. So, why haste?
It really does not help being blindly supportive of any foreign country, even Israel. We are becoming enablers.
Exit your echo-chamber, and go visit Israel. Most Israeli-Arabs are integrated into society, and have a much higher standard of living than their brethren in the 22 Arab countries surrounding Israel.
Every inch of land appropriated for settlement is under full Israeli control, per the Oslo accords, signed by the PLO. They are free to exit the agreement at any time.
This is correct. And a good path to problem solving can be opened. Israel cannot hope to reconquest lands to Euphrates, no matter what the God said. But for some in Israel and US focusing on reality is hard. But the sobering fact is, US citizens had it enough. We gave our problems to tend to.