Hopes for a Palestinian State?

[Zakuvia]

With Benjamin Netanyahu winning the election in Israel, the Israeli stance is going to remain that there should be no Palestinian state. This is contrary to what most of Israel's backers have wanted, particularly the US and the UK.

US - Netanyahu made a firestorm when he gamed Obama and the Congress during his pre-election visits to the US, along with denying the Palestinian state in spite of it being one of the tenets of the US-supported peace plan.

UK - The UK's Nick Clegg has stated that if Israel doesn't directly support the two-party solution, the United Kingdom would.

The Middle East is by and large in support of Palestine, though it might be more accurately stated that they were anti-Israel. I myself think that it's fairly time for the Palestinians to have a fully-fledged and UN-acknowledged state. I see it as a win-win for Israel, anyway. Palestine could ask the UN for aid, which would make it such that Israel could keep what aid they offer to themselves, or just offer a nominal amount to the overall UN funds and claim it's their contribution to Palestine. Also, independent UN inspectors could investigate the Hamas-led state and, if Palestine is as rocket-happy as a state as Israel claims it to be, have the international community off its back when it launches reprisal airstrikes.

[Earl of Sandwich IV]

Nope, a palestinian state is a unacceptable security risk until palestinian change their attitude towards Israel. After palestinians used the last years of peace to build a vast network of invasion tunnels, which they then used to abduct and kill Israelis, we should reward them with a state?

[Jamzmania]

With Benjamin Netanyahu winning the election in Israel, the Israeli stance is going to remain that there should be no Palestinian state. This is contrary to what most of Israel's backers have wanted, particularly the US and the UK.

US - Netanyahu made a firestorm when he gamed Obama and the Congress during his pre-election visits to the US, along with denying the Palestinian state in spite of it being one of the tenets of the US-supported peace plan.

UK - The UK's Nick Clegg has stated that if Israel doesn't directly support the two-party solution, the United Kingdom would.

The Middle East is by and large in support of Palestine, though it might be more accurately stated that they were anti-Israel. I myself think that it's fairly time for the Palestinians to have a fully-fledged and UN-acknowledged state. I see it as a win-win for Israel, anyway. Palestine could ask the UN for aid, which would make it such that Israel could keep what aid they offer to themselves, or just offer a nominal amount to the overall UN funds and claim it's their contribution to Palestine. Also, independent UN inspectors could investigate the Hamas-led state and, if Palestine is as rocket-happy as a state as Israel claims it to be, have the international community off its back when it launches reprisal airstrikes.

It is hardly a point of contention whether or not Hamas launches rockets at Israel. It's pretty obvious. The point of contention is that people thought Israel should have just sucked it up and absorbed the rockets and not respond.

[The Greater Lebanon]

There will be no palestinian state as long A) Netanyahu is there, B) Hamas exists

[Asyanica]

God I hope there never will be. All "Palestinian" land is Israeli in my eyes. Everyone is too quick to blame Israel when they are the defenders in every conflict! Only anti-Semites and anti-Zionists hate Israel, I certainly don't.

[Iwassoclose]

Netanyahu just spat on decades of work like it was nothing. what a troll

[Alyakia]

Nope, a palestinian state is a unacceptable security risk until palestinian change their attitude towards Israel. After palestinians used the last years of peace to build a vast network of invasion tunnels, which they then used to abduct and kill Israelis, we should reward them with a state?

a palestinian state would probably be the PA, not hamas. the PA has done none of this.

[Alyakia]

Netanyahu just spat on decades of work like it was nothing. what a troll

he's on record as claiming he killed the oslo accords and being happy about it it's really nothing new for him

[Kaztropol]

The problem is, that history has shown, time and time again, that empires, kingdoms, dictatorships, and democracies have consistently failed to protect the minority Jewish populations in those countries. A long history of Inquisitions, pogroms, and of course the actions of certain European country in the mid-20th century, have shown that non-Jewish regimes cannot be trusted with such basic things as allowing Jewish people to live, let alone practice their religion. Not even the so-called 'civilised' countries can be trusted with that.
The lesson of history is that Jewish people are not safe when under the rule of non-Jewish regimes, it does not matter if it is a kingdom, empire, dictatorship, or even a democracy.

So, in Israel, they simply cannot allow the possibility of a majority non-Jewish population, because to do so would be to once again place the Jewish people in a position where their existence is at the whims of others. Yasir Arafat said that the womb is one of the Palestinians greatest weapons.

If there was a Palestinian state, then, rocket attacks become an act of war - which means invasion and occupation - which means nothing changed. If the attacks stop - then immigration from Palestine to Israel would be heavily controlled, or banned outright - because Israel will not, and cannot, allow anything that could result in a minority Jewish population in Israel - in which case, the Palestinians would be no better off, because their economic opportunities would be next to nil.

It is a problem to which there might not be a solution. Unfortunate, but there it is, and it's been in the making for two thousand years.

[Ostroeuropa]

I think we need to consider whether palestine has enough resources and economy to be a viable state by itself.

While one time I would have supported integration into Israel with a humanist constitution guaranteeing equality, i've been persuaded that this just isn't feasible.
I think the best solution for the palestinian people would be independence, and for them to then consider whether the various parts of palestine should referendum themselves into the neighboring arab nations.
If they support a free palestine instead, then that's what I support. I just wouldn't think it wise.

[Alyakia]

The problem is, that history has shown, time and time again, that empires, kingdoms, dictatorships, and democracies have consistently failed to protect the minority Jewish populations in those countries. A long history of Inquisitions, pogroms, and of course the actions of certain European country in the mid-20th century, have shown that non-Jewish regimes cannot be trusted with such basic things as allowing Jewish people to live, let alone practice their religion. Not even the so-called 'civilised' countries can be trusted with that.
The lesson of history is that Jewish people are not safe when under the rule of non-Jewish regimes, it does not matter if it is a kingdom, empire, dictatorship, or even a democracy.

So, in Israel, they simply cannot allow the possibility of a majority non-Jewish population, because to do so would be to once again place the Jewish people in a position where their existence is at the whims of others. Yasir Arafat said that the womb is one of the Palestinians greatest weapons.

If there was a Palestinian state, then, rocket attacks become an act of war - which means invasion and occupation - which means nothing changed. If the attacks stop - then immigration from Palestine to Israel would be heavily controlled, or banned outright - because Israel will not, and cannot, allow anything that could result in a minority Jewish population in Israel - in which case, the Palestinians would be no better off, because their economic opportunities would be next to nil.

It is a problem to which there might not be a solution. Unfortunate, but there it is, and it's been in the making for two thousand years.

i like posts this like, because it assumes that israel is equal. it wasn't and arguably still isn't. if you don't support an ashenazi state, mizrahi state, etc. along with states for every religion and ethnicity ever you're basically a hypocrite.

[Kalifati Arab shqiptar]

A Palestinian state is necessary for peace in the entire Middle East, but since Bibi wants to justify the vast money and weapons he get from US, he created a monster out of a dead thing, just like that pig's head in that kid's book 'Lord of the Flies'

[Martean]

The problem is, that history has shown, time and time again, that empires, kingdoms, dictatorships, and democracies have consistently failed to protect the minority Jewish populations in those countries. A long history of Inquisitions, pogroms, and of course the actions of certain European country in the mid-20th century, have shown that non-Jewish regimes cannot be trusted with such basic things as allowing Jewish people to live, let alone practice their religion. Not even the so-called 'civilised' countries can be trusted with that.
The lesson of history is that Jewish people are not safe when under the rule of non-Jewish regimes, it does not matter if it is a kingdom, empire, dictatorship, or even a democracy.

So, in Israel, they simply cannot allow the possibility of a majority non-Jewish population, because to do so would be to once again place the Jewish people in a position where their existence is at the whims of others. Yasir Arafat said that the womb is one of the Palestinians greatest weapons.

If there was a Palestinian state, then, rocket attacks become an act of war - which means invasion and occupation - which means nothing changed. If the attacks stop - then immigration from Palestine to Israel would be heavily controlled, or banned outright - because Israel will not, and cannot, allow anything that could result in a minority Jewish population in Israel - in which case, the Palestinians would be no better off, because their economic opportunities would be next to nil.

It is a problem to which there might not be a solution. Unfortunate, but there it is, and it's been in the making for two thousand years.

This is BS, I think in my own country Jewish people are not discriminated at all, indeed, Israel is nowadays one of the most racist countries in the world.

I could perfectly live in a country with a jewish minority, or a jewish majority, as I could live in a country with a black majority or a gay majority. Separating humans in terms of 'I'm a jew, you're not, therefore we shall live separated' reflects racist views and intolerance.

Btw, I prefer a united country where arabs and jews live in peace with each other rather than a two-state solution.

[Ostroeuropa]

The problem is, that history has shown, time and time again, that empires, kingdoms, dictatorships, and democracies have consistently failed to protect the minority Jewish populations in those countries. A long history of Inquisitions, pogroms, and of course the actions of certain European country in the mid-20th century, have shown that non-Jewish regimes cannot be trusted with such basic things as allowing Jewish people to live, let alone practice their religion. Not even the so-called 'civilised' countries can be trusted with that.
The lesson of history is that Jewish people are not safe when under the rule of non-Jewish regimes, it does not matter if it is a kingdom, empire, dictatorship, or even a democracy.

So, in Israel, they simply cannot allow the possibility of a majority non-Jewish population, because to do so would be to once again place the Jewish people in a position where their existence is at the whims of others. Yasir Arafat said that the womb is one of the Palestinians greatest weapons.

If there was a Palestinian state, then, rocket attacks become an act of war - which means invasion and occupation - which means nothing changed. If the attacks stop - then immigration from Palestine to Israel would be heavily controlled, or banned outright - because Israel will not, and cannot, allow anything that could result in a minority Jewish population in Israel - in which case, the Palestinians would be no better off, because their economic opportunities would be next to nil.

It is a problem to which there might not be a solution. Unfortunate, but there it is, and it's been in the making for two thousand years.

This is BS, I think in my own country Jewish people are not discriminated at all, indeed, Israel is nowadays one of the most racist countries in the world.

I could perfectly live in a country with a jewish minority, or a jewish majority, as I could live in a country with a black majority or a gay majority. Separating humans in terms of 'I'm a jew, you're not, therefore we shall live separated' reflects racist views and intolerance.

Btw, I prefer a united country where arabs and jews live in peace with each other rather than a two-state solution.

I would also prefer the one state solution, but as you say, Israel is quite a racist country.
It isn't likely to happen. (Palestine are hardly angels either, it's worth noting.)

[Valaran]

I really hope that there is Palestinian State.

But I'm worried the continual encroachment by illegal settlements (to say nothing of how Netanyahu obstructs the peace process) will render it a distant dream. Hamas also doesn't help; Fatah seem the better option (relatively speaking).

And I don't believe a one state solution would be as effective in securing peace for either side. It could work, but I doubt it.

[Zorbae]

While a Palestinian state is not achieved, neither is peace, when it comes to the Middle-East.

[Alistan]

http://www.salon.com/2014/11/17/is_the_european_union_about_to_sanction_israel/

I heard this could happen to Israel.

And two state is never gonna work.

[HaMakom]

No, the land of Israel has always been and should remain Jewish land.

Why should we be prioritising terrorist anti-Semites over the Kurds anyway?

[Valaran]

No, the land of Israel has always been and should remain Jewish land.

Why should we be prioritising terrorist anti-Semites over the Kurds anyway?

And attitudes like these are why we can't have nice things (like peace, or equality).

[Russels Orbiting Teapot]

The children of Israel and the Palestinians have learned to hate each other too well to live together. The one state solution will become either apartheid or genocide unless something changes dramatically in Israeli culture.

[Zorbae]

No, the land of Israel has always been and should remain Jewish land.

Why should we be prioritising terrorist anti-Semites over the Kurds anyway?

Times have changed. The backwards and conservative view that, because the land was entirely Israeli a few thousand years ago, it should remain so now, is ridiculous. Palestinians are now the majority in the disputed territories of Palestine, and they have the right to govern the territory that they live in, especially with the crimes Israel commits against them. The politicians of Israel must treat the situation as it is, not hearken back to some previous time that is no longer relevant.

[HaMakom]

No, the land of Israel has always been and should remain Jewish land.

Why should we be prioritising terrorist anti-Semites over the Kurds anyway?

And attitudes like these are why we can't have nice things (like peace, or equality).

Are the Palestinians naming their rockets now? "Put 'Peace' in the launcher, then bring over that crate of 'equality', make sure you only launch when you've got all the children positioned around the launch site"

But seriously, if you want peace and equality, don't support the side which calls for the destruction of the other. Support the side which has a long history of giving land for peace, support the side which is a democracy, has freedom of expression and free speech, support the side which has true racial, sexual and gender equality. Support Israel.

[Alistan]

No, the land of Israel has always been and should remain Jewish land.

Why should we be prioritising terrorist anti-Semites over the Kurds anyway?

And attitudes like these are why we can't have nice things (like peace, or equality).

I thought initially that all Israelis are evil, but when I look up on the internet, a lot of Israelis just want peace, and those who don't want peace are the minority.

[Alistan]

And attitudes like these are why we can't have nice things (like peace, or equality).

Are the Palestinians naming their rockets now? "Put 'Peace' in the launcher, then bring over that crate of 'equality', make sure you only launch when you've got all the children positioned around the launch site"

But seriously, if you want peace and equality, don't support the side which calls for the destruction of the other. Support the side which has a long history of giving land for peace, support the side which is a democracy, has freedom of expression and free speech, support the side which has true racial, sexual and gender equality. Support Israel.

Ahem, Ethiopian Jews and Arabs in Israel, are treated like second class.

[Benian Republic]

Yay nothing like getting some of your land back.

The Palestinians deserve their own state more than the Israelis do and I am quite happy to see world powere are beginning to see it.