Israel's Settlement Push Kills Two-State Solution, Leaving Palestinians Few Pptions

[Purveyor]

By Mustafa Barghouthi / December 20, 2012

RAMALLAH The two-state solution is dying. The Palestinian effort late last month at the United Nations to attain non-member observer state status was overwhelmingly approved – 138 to 9 – by the international community. Israel, however, warned that the vote would be purely symbolic and change nothing on the ground. This was a calculated and misleading statement.

In fact, Israel immediately took revenge for the Palestinians’ temerity in seeking to improve our lot by announcing “zoning and planning preparations” for illegal settlements in the sensitive E1 corridor in the occupied West Bank. This week Israel put out tenders for thousands of new settlement units – the most aggressive activity in the area in years.

Israel’s planned settlement construction makes a contiguous Palestinian state virtually impossible. Bethlehem and Ramallah will be cut off from East Jerusalem if the E1 project goes forward, though Israel argues that we can make do with connecting tunnels and elevated roadways, as if that is tolerable. The Israeli plan also closes the settlement semi-circle around East Jerusalem and builds settlements in it – our would-be capital. The north and south of the West Bank would be effectively bisected and Israel would control the key.

“This is not just another few houses in Jerusalem or another hilltop in the West Bank,” Daniel C. Kurtzer, a former American ambassador to Israel, asserted after Israel’s initial announcement of settlement plans in late November. “This is one of the most sensitive areas of territory, and I would hope the United States will lay down the law.”

MORE...

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2012/1220/Israel-s-settlement-push-kills-two-state-solution-leaving-Palestinians-few-options

[Downwinder]

1. Why does the West Bank remind me of a US

Indian reservation? All they need are a couple of casinos.

[Peregrine]

2. Palestinians lost any possible claim

When they supported the invasions of Israel. When they fire missiles at civilian targets. When they put a terrorist organization in charge.

[Downwinder]

3. Like I say, the Mimbres Apaches or the Sioux.

[azurnoir]

5. and when Israel made a murderer Prime Minister?

that would be Yitzhak Shamir who was instrumental in the assassination of UN negotiator Bernadotte Folke or Menachem Begin who was also a member of Irgun oh wait that's different right?

[Purveyor]

6. Oh tut, tut...don't interject history into this! ;) eom

[Scootaloo]

8. In fact they didn't.

I'm curious as to where you developed this wacky notion of yours.

[shaayecanaan]

9. There have not been any invasions of Israel

Its amazing how comprehensively misinformed most Americans manage to be about these issues.

[King_David]

4. I would be wealthy if I had $1 for every action

That has killed the 2 state solution ....

Yet another final nail in the coffin...

[Scootaloo]

7. You would only have $1

These actions aren't "killing it," merely beating the corpse. What killed it is the US insistence that the two parties be viewed as completely equal negotiators, instead of acting as advocate for the weaker party between the two.

Now maybe it's my training and experience as a union advocate, but... that's not a recipe for a successful negotiation, unless you regard "success" as total capitulation by the weaker party.