[PAX] Working toward a two-state solution?

So this is just an imagination exercise (because I doubt if we can actually come up with an acceptable solution from both sides), but I

 

This statement shows neglect for the entire history of the region/conflict, and is obviously biased.

I'd like to avoid such things in this thread and actually work on possible two-state solutions. If you feel like contributing something worthwhile to what my intent for this thread is, you're free to do so. If you don't want to discuss a two state solution, make your own thread.

This isn't meant to be a debate of who's right and who's wrong.

 

That's an interesting option. Do you see it as a solution for Israel or Palestine? If it's for Palestine, how would you recommend getting the water safely to Palestine?

 

I would hardly call the treatment of people in the West Bank as fair or democratic. Road blocks, movement restrictions, walls and fences, illegal settlements, segregation, checkpoints, unequal access to food and water, unequal access to judicial system, human shields, excessive use of force against civilians, walls separating Palestinians from their jobs/families, administrative detention, and countless more incidents documented by Amnesty International, the UN, South Africa's Human Sciences Research Council, and other organizations hardly qualify as 'far from cruel' in my book.

That's not to say that the Palestinians haven't had more than their fair share of violations as well. The thing is neither side is blameless. It isn't about who's right and who's wrong, it's about finding a mutual solution. Israel doesn't want the Palestinians, and Palestine doesn't want the Israelis.

I don't believe a single state would work. Assimilation of the Palestinians would be near impossible into Israel's culture. They're an ethnic and political minority, that doesn't want, and isn't wanted in the country.

 

That's an interesting idea that I'd like to explore a bit more.

Is there any specific way you'd propose keeping the system secure? I guess what I'd be afraid of is someone (a politically radical group) contaminating, or destroying the pipeline in order to hurt Palestine. Israel could still access water from the Sea of Galilee, even if the pipeline was destroyed. If however there was sufficient security for your pipeline, it could be a worthwhile solution. Any ideas pertaining to security?

 

I like this, it's a creative and interesting solution. Definitely something to consider.

I guess my next question would be funding: international funding, Israeli/Palestinian funding, or a mix of them all?

 

Thanks for the input, Dragon. I'll try and get a detailed response to it sometime tomorrow.

Until then, I guess if one was to use the 'solution' I outlined (don't think I'm trying to negate your points, I just haven't been able to get to them yet), what would you recommend doing with Gaza? I think Palestine should have the option in including it in their state, but what would happen to Gaza if Palestine didn't want it?

 

I agree, I really don't see a solution in the near future, and everything I outlined was very basic, and ignored many of the political posturing that has happened in the region. A true solution would take a lot more than what I outlined, and my arguement didn't even account for consequences. I really can't say much because everything you're saying is true, and needs to be considered.

I also don't think that any solution would really prevent the surrounding nations from funding anti-Israel groups. I don't see any solution possible if the surrounding nation's interests are to be taken into account.

As impossible as the situation seems, a solution is needed, and it's needed soon. People often times seem to ignore (not saying you do) that humans are on the ground in the region, and are directly affected by any action or inaction.

The only way I see Israel and Palestine coming to an agreement on their own is if both sides put aside their posturing, and approached the conflict united. This however, is unlikely. That's why I'm beginning to toy with the idea of a UN enforced resolution, and that would be no easy task. I'm extremely weary of nation building, and even more so of a universal government. I'm not sold on a UN forced peace, but I'm starting to think about it more and more. It's definitely a stick situation, but we can't just give up because of how monumental of a task it is.

I respect your post, and appreciate it. My question for you then is what do you think could be done to start working on peace?

 

Not to mention that their national defense is comprised of mostly American made arms. The money and the arms could easily be held over Israel's head to make them behave the way is wanted (in my case, peace discussions). But yeah, people here would hoot and holler.