Lets all disclose our positions.
My own position is close to Oslo and calls for a negotiated settlement close to the pre-1967 war borders (allowing some movement for security purposes).
Very close to my position. However with 2 distinctions. I would say, that Israel should withdraw UNCONDITIONALLY, and WITHOUT NEGOTIATION to the pre-67 borders. So, I would disallow: "allowing some movement for security purposes".
Not completely however. I would say, that IF the Israelis manage to give the PA something so enticing that the PA voluntarily wants to "allow some movement for security purposes", then that's fine. What I DON'T think is workable, is for Israel to say: "since we are allowed movement for security purposes, we can define our security in such a way and make such demands that it will be unacceptable to the PA, and thus torpedo the peace process", which is exactly what happened.
Rather it should be: Israel withdraws to pre-67, PERIOD. They can make a proposal(s), for amending that with the PA, but if the PA do not accept, then within a specified time period, Israel simply pulls back to pre-67. And that's that.
Israeli occupation of the territories is illegal under international law, for reference see U.N. resolutions - never mind whether there was a Palestinian state before or not. Just as it was a crime for Britain to colonize Africa, regardless of whether the natives were organized into formal countries under European definitions of statehood.
I believe that there is no military solution to the PA/Israeli conflict (or broadly Arab/Israeli). The best chance that I see, is for Israel to pull back to pre-67 unconditionally. Allowing for Israelis to do good faith land-swaps, but ONLY if the PA agree, and within a limited time frame - if that fails, Israel has to pull back, period. I think that here PA would be flexible on Jerusalem (give them the Arab quarter unconditionally) - and you got a deal - even the PA understands that the right of return for Palestinians to Israel proper is unworkable.
Sad thing is, I believe eventually something like this will happen - and could have happened without all the pain. But I guess both sides have to first pay in blood for the populations to accept it, instead of trying for "more". So, same deal, with no dead, or same deal with thousands dead and hatred for generations. Palestinians have felt the pain. When Israelis feel the pain too - and eventually they will - they'll do the sensible thing and withdraw unconditionally (look at their Lebanon action!). |
