PALESTINE: THE ONE STATE ‘NON’ SOLUTION

May 7, 2010 at 12:49 (DesertPeace Editorial, Israel, Land Theft, Palestine, Second Class Citizens, Status of Jerusalem, Two State Solution, zionism)

As the question of Palestinian Statehood comes to the floor again, the choices of a One or Two State solution arises …… again.

For sixty two years Palestine has been occupied by Israel. Each year more Palestinian lands are stolen, either by the Israeli government or by settlers. The Municipality of Jerusalem is slowly finding ways to rid all of the Holy City of its Palestinian population.

To those that support a One State Solution I ask; how would it be possible for Palestine to exist at all under such a solution? Do you really think that the Israelis will ever be prepared to allow Palestine to be an equal partner in a bi national state? Do you really think that the animosities that exist on both sides of the wall will disappear automatically creating a peaceful environment?

In reality, there HAS BEEN one state since 1948, a zionist controlled one where the Palestinians with Israeli citizenship have lived as second class citizens. Recent developments do not even allow families to be united in cities such as Jerusalem itself.

There is just NO WAY that a One State Solution is possible. Israel might argue that a Two State Solution would pose an unacceptable security threat to them. They have been arguing that same point as things stand today, hence the creation of the wall of apartheid. Israel’s vision of a One State Solution is not different than their ‘final solution’, a Jewish state for Jews only.

Critics have been adding ‘fuel to the fire’ regarding this question; John Mearsheimer recently stated in an address at the Palestine Centre in Washington…

Contrary to the wishes of the Obama administration and most Americans – to include many American Jews – Israel is not going to allow the Palestinians to have a viable state of their own in Gaza and the West Bank. Regrettably, the two-state solution is now a fantasy. Instead, those territories will be incorporated into a “Greater Israel,” which will be an apartheid state bearing a marked resemblance to white-ruled South Africa. Nevertheless, a Jewish apartheid state is not politically viable over the long term. In the end, it will become a democratic bi-national state, whose politics will be dominated by its Palestinian citizens. In other words, it will cease being a Jewish state, which will mean the end of the Zionist dream.

He also stated that….

“Regrettably, the two-state solution is now a fantasy. Instead, those territories will be incorporated into a Greater Israel,which will be an apartheid state bearing a marked resemblance to white-ruled South Africa. Nevertheless, a Jewish apartheid state is not politically viable over the long term. In the end, it will become a democratic bi-national state, whose politics will be dominated by its Palestinian citizens. In other words, it will cease being a Jewish state, which will mean the end of the Zionist dream.”

The full text of his speech (also on video) can be found in THIS post.

The one-state solution means accepting treatment like this, Hokayem says. Emile Hokayem is the Political Editor of Abu Dhabi’s The National. His views can be seen HERE.

One important question that is constantly overlooked is  why should Palestine be treated differently than any other nation? Why can’t they have their own state within their own SECURE borders? My answer to that is that Palestine MUST be allowed to have its own state and not share one with those that have sworn to destroy them.

Can Palestine wait another 62 years to see what a new flag would look like? Can they wat to hear what a new (bi)National Anthem would sound like?? NO WAY! A Two State Solution is the ONLY viable one.

Also see THIS brilliant post dealing with the continuing Nakba…. more reasons why One State is a NON Solution.