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There are really only three solutions. One, Israel annexes Palestine in its current form, and ceases to be a Jewish state. Two, Israel annexes Palestine after r

There are really only three solutions. One, Israel annexes Palestine in its current form, and ceases to be a Jewish state. Two, Israel annexes Palestine after removing its current inhabitants. Three, Israel stays in a state of low-grade warfare while carving out the most desireable bits of Palestine for its settlers as its population grows. One is untenable for obvious reasons. Two is untenable until memories of the holocaust cease being a formative experience for Israel, so essentially untenable for the rest of our natural lives. Three is not only the only option available, it's actually not that bad a situation while Israel can maintain its military dominance. I think a big mistake we in the west make when thinking about 'solutions' to the conflict is assuming both sides want peace. That's not been my impression on hearing anyone from either side talk, peace activists from the region but unconnected to the ruling structure notwithstanding.

LorenPechtel 5y ago
Israel would like peace, but they know it's not feasible. Peace will only come about either with the at a minimum extirpation of Jews from the area, or with the backers deciding they don't want to support the war anymore--and that would require at a minimum a serious threat of Israel going nuclear, probably actually nuking somebody's capital. Hence the low-level conflict is the least bad choice.
nekcihc 5y ago
In first solution - it depends. There is also option, that Islam ceases to exist(all according to islamic scriptures). Palestinian Arabs in that situation can convert to Judaism or whatever and anyone who would be able to find Jewish ancestry who were converted can probably easily find those roots. Though in that case, borders of Israel would include more than Palestine. The conflict from Islam POV is about which religion is better. That is biggest weakness of Islam in the region, where Jews were living in Medina and Mecca long before Islam was arisen and where majority of Arabs were Christians up till Middle Ages. So, even if it takes another 1000 years, I would put money on that Jews will survive, while Islam will be long forgotten history.
weatherlite 5y ago
> I think a big mistake we in the west make when thinking about 'solutions' to the conflict is assuming both sides want peace. That's not been my impression on hearing anyone from either side talk Israel has everything to gain by a true peace deal with Palestine. Palestinians though have everything to lose - their entire identity is intertwined with returning to their old homes from 1948. I don't think there is symmetry; one side basically "won" and would really like to live in peace if it was possible (barring a few religious Jewish settlers), but the meaning of peace for the other side is basically letting go of its identity and admit defeat. Palestinians can't let go of what happened in 48, it's as foundational for them as Zionism is for Israelis. A lot of people miss this subtle point but if you really listen to Palestinians it's all there. While if you really listen to (most) Israelis - its mostly about security. Most Israelis don't give much of a hoot about the settlements.

LorenPechtel 5y ago

Israel would like peace, but they know it's not feasible. Peace will only come about either with the at a minimum extirpation of Jews from the area, or with the backers deciding they don't want to support the war anymore--and that would require at a minimum a serious threat of Israel going nuclear, probably actually nuking somebody's capital. Hence the low-level conflict is the least bad choice.

nekcihc 5y ago

In first solution - it depends. There is also option, that Islam ceases to exist(all according to islamic scriptures). Palestinian Arabs in that situation can convert to Judaism or whatever and anyone who would be able to find Jewish ancestry who were converted can probably easily find those roots. Though in that case, borders of Israel would include more than Palestine. The conflict from Islam POV is about which religion is better. That is biggest weakness of Islam in the region, where Jews were living in Medina and Mecca long before Islam was arisen and where majority of Arabs were Christians up till Middle Ages. So, even if it takes another 1000 years, I would put money on that Jews will survive, while Islam will be long forgotten history.

weatherlite 5y ago

> I think a big mistake we in the west make when thinking about 'solutions' to the conflict is assuming both sides want peace. That's not been my impression on hearing anyone from either side talk Israel has everything to gain by a true peace deal with Palestine. Palestinians though have everything to lose - their entire identity is intertwined with returning to their old homes from 1948. I don't think there is symmetry; one side basically "won" and would really like to live in peace if it was possible (barring a few religious Jewish settlers), but the meaning of peace for the other side is basically letting go of its identity and admit defeat. Palestinians can't let go of what happened in 48, it's as foundational for them as Zionism is for Israelis. A lot of people miss this subtle point but if you really listen to Palestinians it's all there. While if you really listen to (most) Israelis - its mostly about security. Most Israelis don't give much of a hoot about the settlements.