I hope you are right but much that you and others post suggests the other current, the one that wishes to hold onto the West Bank and Gaza is increasingly strong as well. Don't know about numbers but they do seem to be gaining strength. And the dynamics of the situation suggest they will gain more strength.
No, that's not what Israeli polls say, which I have posted -- a solid majority is for a two state solution. The problem is that the Palestinians at present are not for a two state solution, unless they can turn both states into Palestine. There is a real difference between Israelis who want to hold onto the territories now because they believe, as 60% do, that the intifada is an existential struggle; and those who want to hold onto the territories permanently, whether by continued occupation or "transfer". These are different opinions and different ways of thinking even if they lead to similar policies in the present situation.
That's certainly clearly the position of the Sharon govt. But, again, the next "partner" could well be even less acceptable. Again, also, I hope you are right that a non-Islamist govt of sorts can emerge among the Palestinians. I just don't see the basis for its emergence in the stuff we read.
If the next "partner" is less acceptable than war will continue. The Israelis have also read the lessons of Lebanon. Part of what fuels the current struggle is the Iranian/Syrian/Iraqi fueling of the Palestinian side; if that is stopped, the hope is that local Palestinian leadership that is interested in the welfare of local Palestinians can emerge. You're not reading about it anywhere, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the story isn't there. |
