Israel-Palestine: Two-State vs One-State Solution
What Does The Future Hold for Israel-Palestine?
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has proven to be one of the most complex and “intractable” conflicts of modern history – or as some may even add – of all time. And after many decades of failed attempts at peacemaking in this region, there still seems to be no conceivable end to the conflict. During those same decades, most of the parties involved as well as the international community have embraced the idea of a two-state solution, but the question we pose today asks whether this solution is still a viable option considering the present context, and if not, is it finally time to consider a one-state solution? This essay will argue that although a two-state solution remains the more desirable and popular option, keeping in-line with both nations’ desire for freedom, civic rights, dignity, statehood and nationhood, it may no longer be a possibility in the near future and as time passes. A one-state solution also has its faults however, as it simply fails to address the issue of inevitable future conflicts and retaliation, which would stem from the most problematic symptom of a bi-national state: the reduction of Palestinian-Israelis to second-class citizens within their own country. Finally, the essay will attempt to show that regardless of what the more desirable and feasible option may be, the context today points to a de facto one-state reality, which some argue would ultimately need to be embraced as the only option.
There is no solution but the two-state solution?
Is a one-state solution feasible today? If it is, how optimal of a solution is it for both populations and state-entities? The answer seems to be negative mainly due to the fact that the Jewish-Israeli populace desires to remain a majority within their own state and similarly because the Jewish-Israeli state depends on a Jewish majority in order to vote-in and implement laws and policies, which are aimed to provide a safe home for the Jewish and
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has proven to be one of the most complex and “intractable” conflicts of modern history – or as some may even add – of all time. And after many decades of failed attempts at peacemaking in this region, there still seems to be no conceivable end to the conflict. During those same decades, most of the parties involved as well as the international community have embraced the idea of a two-state solution, but the question we pose today asks whether this solution is still a viable option considering the present context, and if not, is it finally time to consider a one-state solution? This essay will argue that although a two-state solution remains the more desirable and popular option, keeping in-line with both nations’ desire for freedom, civic rights, dignity, statehood and nationhood, it may no longer be a possibility in the near future and as time passes. A one-state solution also has its faults however, as it simply fails to address the issue of inevitable future conflicts and retaliation, which would stem from the most problematic symptom of a bi-national state: the reduction of Palestinian-Israelis to second-class citizens within their own country. Finally, the essay will attempt to show that regardless of what the more desirable and feasible option may be, the context today points to a de facto one-state reality, which some argue would ultimately need to be embraced as the only option.
There is no solution but the two-state solution?
Is a one-state solution feasible today? If it is, how optimal of a solution is it for both populations and state-entities? The answer seems to be negative mainly due to the fact that the Jewish-Israeli populace desires to remain a majority within their own state and similarly because the Jewish-Israeli state depends on a Jewish majority in order to vote-in and implement laws and policies, which are aimed to provide a safe home for the Jewish and
References: ☐Avnrey, Uri. "One State: Solution or Utopia?" Palestine-Israel Journal of Politics, Economics and Culture 14.4 (2007): 7-12. Print. Awad, Samir Baskin, Gershon. "A Choice To Be Made." Palestine-Israel Journal of Politics, Economics and Culture 14.2 (2007): 94-96. Print. Democracy in America Blog Correspondents ☐Dudai, Ron. "A Model for Dealing with the Past in the Israeli–Palestinian Context." The International Journal of Transitional Justice 1 (2007): 249-67. Print. Ghanem, As 'ad. "Cooperation Instead of Separation: A One-State Solution to Promote Israeli-Palestinian Peace." Palestine-Israel Journal of Politics, Economics and Culture 14.2 (2007): 13-19. Print. ☐Hadi, A ☐Kelman, Herbert C. "The Interdependence of Israeli and Palestinian National Identities: The Role of the Other in Existential Conflicts." Journal of Social Issues 55.3 (1999): 581-600. Print. ☐Lindsay, Talmud. "Six South-African Lessons." Palestine-Israel Journal of Politics, Economics and Culture 14.2 (2007): 96-100. Print. Majdalani, Ahmad of Politics, Economics and Culture 14.2 (2007): 62-68. Print. ☐Ruether, Rosemary, “Invisible Palestinians: Ideology and Reality in Israel”, Christian Century Publishing, (1987), p.587.