Reply #3: thank you..I think you hit a number of good points [View All]

[Douglas Carpenter]

Most Americans don't realize that almost every single Palestinian would gladly accept a single state which included the current Israeli state along with the West Bank and the Gaza IF it included full EQUALITY of democratic citizenship rights for both Jews and Palestinians living together in peace as EQUAL citizens. This is unacceptable to the Israeli state because it would in the not so distant future mean a significant Palestinian majority.

The two-state solution based on the 1967 border has been unanimously endorsed by the Arab League and the Palestinian Authority. Even Hamas has acknowledged that they would accept it. However this is actually their second choice.

The difficulty for the Israeli state is how to get the Palestinians out of the way while maintaining real control of the territory and its resources; especially water. A pseudo-state for Palestine seems to be what the Israeli state thinks is the answer since annexation or expulsion are not politically viable options.

I'm reading a really good book right now by Professor Tanya Reinhart of Tel Aviv University, The Road Map to Nowhere: Israel/Palestine Since 2003 - Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Road-Map-Nowhere-Israel-Palestine/dp/1844670767/ref=sr_11_1/002-4750258-7334423?ie=UTF8