Leading Palestinian intellectual: We already have a one-state solution
Columbia Professor Rashid Khalidi says nobody believes firing rockets is resistance that will liberate Palestine or that talking with the U.S. will deliver a just and lasting solution.
By Chemi Shalev Tags: Hamas PalestiniansHamas and the Palestinian Authority should unite, unequivocally renounce violence and jettison the U.S.-led peace process which is “a corpse that has had formaldehyde pumped into its veins for over a decade” – this is the diagnosis and prescription of Professor Rashid Khalidi, one of the leading Palestinian intellectuals in the world.
“Nobody believes that firing rockets and getting 1,400 people killed in response is ‘resistance’ that is going to liberate Palestine, and nobody believes that talking with the U.S., with Dennis Ross putting his thumb on the scales in favor of Israel, which is already overwhelmingly superior, is going to produce an equitable and just and lasting solution of the Palestine question. If you still believe that - you have to have your head examined,” the U.S.-born Khalidi said.
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Palestinian Professor Rashid Khalidi. |
| Photo by: Alex Levac |
Khalidi, a member of the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid peace process in the early 1990s, and one of the first proponents of a two-state solution expressed grave doubts about the chances for its implementation, because of what he describes as the “inexorable work of the bulldozers” and Israel’s “settlement-industrial complex”. In any case, he added, the two-state solution was but a “way station” that would not mean end-of-conflict and would still necessitate agreement on Palestinian refugees and on Israel’s “Palestinian minority” before a comprehensive settlement could be achieved.
A “one-state solution already exists," he added, because “there is only one state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, in which there are two or three levels of citizenship or non-citizenship within the borders of that one state that exerts total control.”
Laying much of the blame for their situation on the Palestinians themselves, he called on them to “re-imagine” the way a Palestinian state would work. “Why not have a Palestinian state in which Jews live? What’s wrong with that?” And in what might sound as an echo of Israeli complaints about the “Tel Aviv state”, Khalidi said that Palestinian leaders need to mobilize their people and “get them out their expensive Audis and Mercedes and out of their bubble in Ramallah where everyone is prosperous and there is no unemployment.”
Khalidi refused to discuss any aspect of his personal relations with U.S. President Obama, which featured so prominently in the 2008 presidential campaign and was used to criticize Obama’s attitude toward Israel. But Khalidi’s criticism of the President’s Middle East policies is withering: “I had low expectations and my low expectations were more than fulfilled. He’s done considerably worse than I would have expected.”
Khalidi said that Obama had squandered his chance of making meaningful changes during his first two years in office, when the Democrats still controlled Congress “and since they lost Congress a year and a half ago, Benjamin Netanyahu has more influence over these issues than the president does. Because he has a House and a Senate that will carry him on their shoulders as far as he wants to go. The President can’t do that.”
In a wide-ranging interview conducted in his office at Columbia University in New York, where he is the Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies, Khalidi also dismissed Israel’s existential fears of Iran as “fantasy” and said that the leaders of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood are “pragmatic” and would not abrogate Egypt’s peace agreement with Israel.
On the other hand, Khalidi expressed grave concern about the extremist Salafi party’s performance in the Egyptian parliamentary elections, which “shocked” him, and suggested that its success may be connected to Saudi funding. “There are several scores of Saudi princes who have personal budgets as large as medium-sized states. So there are 20 or 30 Saudi ‘foreign policies,'" he said.
At the same time, Khalidi believes that Islamist parties will have a hard time maintaining their current popularity in the Arab world, a development that already be seen in what he described as the Gaza public’s growing disenchantment with Hamas. “It’s perfectly fine to come in with a slogan that ‘Islam is the solution’, but try to solve a housing crisis, or infrastructure, or unemployment, with ‘Islam is the solution’, he said.
“This is a process that’s going to fall through – if it’s not short-circuited by hysterical people from the outside,” he added.
On Iran, Khalidi believes that “Ahmadinejad is a technician who has no real role in security or foreign policy or where the military is concerned. You try to convince Americans of that – as far as they are concerned, he’s Hitler’s little brother.”
He said that Israeli leaders are “cynically and irresponsibly” drumming up fears of Iran in order to “maintain Israel’s dominance over the region” and that Jerusalem must change its attitude towards Teheran “which means layers of hysteria, and lies and exaggeration and propaganda are going to have to be peeled back.”
“The idea that Israel is under any existential danger is fantasy. The idea that the Iranians would incinerate a 3,000-4,000 year old civilization for some apocalyptic reason and destroy themselves as a government, as a regime, and as individuals – is irrational,” Khalidi said.
Khalidi, who lived for many years in Beirut, also warned of an outbreak of “civil war and sectarian violence” in Syria, which would be “catastrophic for the whole region”. He accused the Gulf countries of stirring the pot in Syria and of drumming up sectarian animosity.
Click here for the full text of the interview.
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Gaza is 1 - and then everything else is the other state. Just make sure we have a true democracy everywhere!
Arabs should recognize stupidity of their expansionist dream and retreat from Jewish territory if they want live in peace.
Yes, we already have a one state solution. It is an apartheid state, even worse, Palestinians are not citizens of that state, have no rights whatsoever even over the land on which they already live. The Oslo accords put the population centers under the control of a so called Palestinian Authority that has no power, it is nothing more than the French Vichy regime under the Nazis. 8 years after the signing of the Oslo accords in 1993, the number of settlers and settlements more than doubled. It more than quadrupled since then. Israel wanted the land without the Palestinian population that will deplete its majority. A two state solution may look good on paper and make for a good conversation in the political circles, but it is impractical since it ignores the 7 million Palestinians who are living in the diaspora. Netanyahu knows that and hence he is not going to give an inch.
If Palestine-Israel is fairly divided with free access to criss-cross between perforated state lines then it can work . The Arab triangle next to the N West Bank and parts of the Galilee ( including Nazareth ) will be part of Palestine , assigning 800,000 Israeli Palestinians the right to chose citizenship or residency in Palestine . I Israel can keep some of the periferical settlements ( Paying compensation ) while the remaining would have the right to citizenship or residency in Palestine , The remaining Israeli Palestinians have the right to switch to Palestinian citizenship and maintain permanent residency in Israel . Jerusalem Is shared . Palestinian refugees have the right to settle in Palestine and a few are aloud to be residents of Israel. Open boarders co-existing yet separated . Each will have 90 % majority in their respecting state . The minorities have to be protected and since they exist on both sides its easier to respect . Israelis need to come to realize that the majority of the Palestinian people were maneuvered ( being polite ) into leaving their homes . Its time to rise and accept a fair deal , a new modern version of the 1947 partition plan . If not then it is a weird and ugly one state . The distinction of Citizen and resident has to be clearly defined . I am a Palestinian and my children and grand children will resist until fairness and mutual respect is delta out .
Another person masquerading to be "Palestinian" in order to further their career. What was his main point? Either the reporting is poor or the man has no real grasp of the situation, it's hard to tell, there are nearly four states now. We have Jordan, PA areas, Hamastan, and Israel. The best idea not mentioned is to incorporate the three entities into one. Those Arabs remaining in eastern Israel can receive permanent residency and civil autonomy, but they would their capital would be Amman and they would vote for a leader in Jordan and for local politicians.
dictates of the occupier to the occupied. Typical.
The merging of all Hebrews into one single state, regardless if they are Jewish, Christian or Moslem Hebrews. Important that the two latter groups cut their ties to "PanArabism" and instead join with the first group - even if retaining their respective mother tongues and religions. As for example the Bedouins who are loyal to Israel.
From Syria, Lebanon, Egypt ( as Arafat) or Saudi. But it does not matter, because so are many jews. But as we can not live together the division is the only sollution. if the pals want to join other entitys as Jordan or Egypt or stay united is their choice.
First, Israel will be a Jewish majority state within the security fence. That ship sailed during Sharon's reign. Palestine's choice is a two state solution with negotiated borders or a two state solution with Israeli chosen borders. As for the Jewish settlers, the moment Palestine's jurisdiction is declared over a territory, the Jewish settlers gain all rights under the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Palestine is stuck with a hostile minority. So what. Lots of country's deal with that. Having a few Jews within their borders doesn't mean a Palestinian state isn't viable. The whole 'annex us, so that we can vote you put of existence' will never happen. Israel will never annex Gaza, so the Palestinian majority one state is very far away. They probably won't annex area A either. The most likely Israeli picked border will be the current security fence.
I totally agree with those on this talkback who say Jordan is the solution, as it is a state where the majority are Palestinians. It's the only solution that is workable; the only problem is that most peoole will see it as it not pc--too bad. The Hashemite dynasty does not represent the majority in Jordan; and the fact that this sham dynasty continues to rule is just another mistake the British made when they gave the larger part of the Mandate to the (Palestinian) Arabs and, instead of naming it Palestine, named it Jordan (from Trans-Jordan).
once there is real true peace israel will cease to exist. arabs from neaghboring country will flock to isael for jobs and a higher quality of living. just like mexicans in california. they will come legal or illegal. israel knows this. no matter time does not belong to israel it belongs to the arabs.
Dear professor Khalidi. Countries are very much afraid from having Muslim majority and its not because of Muslim people, but it is because of the tem 'Jihad" that exists in Muslim religion. Even Europeans are becoming vary from this fact. Please go through Muslim history and see what Jihad has done to non Muslims. If you have a solution on that subject, please let the world know.
This person is talking logic , Israel is not interested in making Palestinian state and cannot expel around 4 million Palestinians living inside its borders so the only solution is one state solution and endless small wars if it becomes undemocratic for all its citizens.
Whather we like the idea or not this is the only realiable and practical solution for the conflict regardless the name of the comming one state for the two people
Or is it that politics strips the pragmatic and intelligent of their integrity? Or maybe they shun it because they KNOW it will. Well either way, this guy's right on the money in his analysis, and it's too bad the leadership in the countries he discusses totally lack his clarity of vision.
Mr. Khalidi's fundamental position is belied by the fact he portray's Israeli fears of Iran as baseless and politically motivated, while he argues that the imagined course of Iranian action is nonsensical because it's irrational. I wonder how many rational zealots and terrorists Mr. Khalidi knows?
The head of the State can be Jews The PM Arab The Speaker of Parliament vary between Arab and Jews every 1/2 parliament term. and The Parliament is divided 1/2:1/2 between Arab and Jews This will create a good political system for any bi-national state.
Who wants a second Lebanon?
...when in fact all Arab states deny equal rights and are cleansing themselves of all minorites. Could anything be more repulsive and absurd?
The head of the State can be Jews The PM Arab The Speaker of Parliament vary between Arab and Jews every 1/2 parliament term. and The Parliament is divided 1/2:1/2 between Arab and Jews This will create a good political system for any bi-national state.
Otherwise, the headline is brilliant
I need to remind our dear Professor Khalidi that the Palestinians together with their Arab brethren lost the war. And subsequently, there will be no just and equitable solution. Just like there was no just and equitable solution between the British, Americans, Russians and Nazis after WWII. Because the losers of belligerent wars don't get an equal say. Something the world seems to have forgotten.
US, UK, USSR didn't build civilian housing settlements in Germany!
Every thing kahlidi is saying is truthfull in many aspects, but he being palestinian cant see the forest throught trees either. He cant possibly understand the geo-political nightmare scenario of iran with a nuclear warhead. It must be stopped, who's side is he on anyway, iran with a nuke on a ballistic missile is the entire worlds worst of the worst of nightmare scenarios, if they develop this capacity, you will see the beginning of WW3 and the shiite push to dominate the arab world and senslessly beating there drum of being the people who will free the palestinians from the tyranical zionist regime as they politely put it. Once aquired in the hands of madmen like the ayatollahs and amadinajad, the middle east will be lost for ever, kahlidi needs to state un-eqivically that his people can make peace at any time and can also say no to the iranians that have brainwashed them against the process and continuously use interior ministerial propaganda to continuously disperse such retoric that they sit on , on a daily basis, the entire arab world has fallen for this rubbish, its only about irans stupid ambitions which will never eventuate. Demoniseing israel whilst they make out to be the muslim night in shineing armour , I wonder who thought this crap up. Israel should take over the situation and when she does, kahlidi will find himself in a different scenario all together, untill iran goes , the palestinians will be held for ranson by iran and the state of israel know this all to well.
It came to them from God via Ezekiel in chapter 47 verse 21-23 of that book. It is a jsut solution because God gave it to the Israelis. Stop your stalling and just do it!
Cry, wring your panties. It's truth. It wins over you and any lies you can imagine. Stop stimagitizing the Iranian people. You have lost the most important ally in your war against the Iranian government, and that is us. We are TOTALLY against Israel's actions in the foreign policy arena, just like we TOTALLY despise many of our government's DOMESTIC policies. Get a clue.
Dear Professor Khalidi, You suggest there be a "Palestinian" (Arab) state where Jews live. I say, why not have have a Jewish state where Arabs (Palestinians) live? (Parenthetically, in Europe, where I lived before coming to the U.S., I was called "Palestinian". That was before Arafat, in his genius, started calling "Palestinians" the Arabs living on the Land of Israel, which the Romans in their genius renamed Palestina hoping the Jews will forget their homeland. Well, we did not, to this day. You are a Professor, you should know this and if you don't, read some history books.)
Israel has never intended to see the formation of two states. Zionist ideology has always, from its inception, held its right to the two banks of the Jordan. It will eventually evolve into one state and that fear is what engenders Israel's paranoia. It has never been able to solve the dilemma of how the Jewish state is to be both Jewish and democratic. As we are witnessing today, the state is becoming more and undemocratic and as it builds its one state it finds itself with an Arab majority, so its options are extremely limited: either it can become a democratic state for all its citizens or it will become a Jewish theocracy where its apartheid can no longer be hidden.
So, are you as against an Islamic theocracy in any land throught the Middle East as you appear to be with the current state of affairs in Israel?
The unmasking of it's apartheid may be the least concern of what might develop. Look closely at the similarity of what's beginning to take place in Israel today, and the beginnings of the darkest episode of human history. It grows in increments, and the foundations are being set into place.
There are more arabs in Jordan who define themselves as palestinians and are descended from the original refugees of 1948 than there are in Judea & Samaria. If we were willing to SERIOUSLY consider the idea it has potential. Jordan is huge whilst Gaza is one of the most densely populated place on earth so plenty of place for people to live, its a ready made state so its like moving straight into a new home rather than having to build the house first. The security forces are loyal and well equipped so they can put down any trouble makers, it also give the palestinians an army to defend their state something that a new one will not be allowed. Jordan is one of the most liberal of arab states. It would be very easy to negotiate a deal with Abdullah which would involve Israel returning a small part of Judea & Samaria to Jordan, all palestinians getting citizenship and everything else being formerly annexed to Israel. In exchange an international fund will be created to create a huge financial compensation package for Jordan. Any property owning now Jordanians living in land that was annexed to Israel will be allowed to stay on some kind of residential visa ( not as citizens with democratic rights ) although initially Israel would encourage ( not force ) as many as it could to leave by buying out. People who rent over a number of years would leave Israel and go to Jordan. Its not the politically correct solution but its viable and solves all the problems. Why do the only solutions anybody talks about created a non viable palestinian state or replacing Israel with a binational state which isn't viable in its own right because binational states don't have a very good record and there is to much hatred.
I don't know why, I'm sure he's not saying this for the good of the palestinains. Perhaps he just wants to keep them where he can see them?
why jews will not return to the countries they were born in. and stay there?why would jews in the name of a religious truth claim a land that belong to others?
There are also more Pals- than Jews from the Jordan River to the Sea - and even it Jordan does become Palestine why would then Pals in Israel proper have to leave? Where the jews of NYC or France forced to leave because Israel was created?
back to the drawing board
There are more Jews living in the US than there is living in Israel (yes actually that's true, when you factor in the little detail that the settlements aren't in Israel). If we were willing to SERIOUSLY consider the idea it has potential. The US is huge whilst Israel is one of the most densely populated place on earth so plenty of place for people to live, its a ready made state so its like moving straight into a new home rather than having to build the house first. The security forces are loyal and well equipped so they can put down any trouble makers (something which the IDF doesn't seem so good at without killing). Its not the politically correct solution but its viable and solves all the problems. Why are the only solutions anybody talks about an unrealistic Israeli state or replacing Palestine with a binational state which isn't viable in its own right because binational states don't have a very good record and there is to much hatred. I hope I don't have to point this out, but this is not a realistic suggestion I'm just trying to show you how stupid your suggestion is. But maybe it isn't, what do I know. I'm just working on the assumption that you are very keen on the solution that relies on shipping away all Arabs, and not quite so interested in the one that instead relies on shipping away all Jews. Am I wrong?
That was the original San Remo Two State Solution however implementing it now it would be a disaster. As long as the only purpose of a "Palestinian State" is to conquer and replace the Jewish State there must not one.
Why is it twisted logic, its not a politically correct idea to talk about but its logical and could work. Jordan is paid to give all palestinians citizenship so they have a ready made state. Israel will return to Jordan a small percentage of Judea & Samaria and annex the rest and the international community will recognize that land as being part of Israel and Jordanian citizens living in Israel will be granted residency visa so they can live in their homes but they will be Jordanians and have no democratic rights in Israel. The two state idea is political but it will never be viable once the independence parties are over and they have to deal with real issues. 22% of mandate Palestine ( 5000km ) in 2 parts with no recourses and a growing population will be viable economically, tiny Israel would be nearly 4 times the size of the palestinian state and it would still have problems. How long before the palestinians come back saying we were cheated we demand more land? A binational Israel will never work so politically correct or not a palestinian state in huge Jordan with its developed economy is the most practical option if we are thinking about the wellbeing of ORDINARY people and take the political ideals out of it. If Rabin had talked about this as a solution rather than the 2 state one it could have been done with or without the PLO permission, the PLO would have been wiped out and the ordinary people would get on with life as Jordanians.
Arabs govern Arabs, Jews govern Jews. Let the Palestinians form a single state with Jordan, and not with Israel. Anything else is inviting eternal conflict as the national narratives cannot be reconciled, and when national narratives can't be reconciled war is an eventual certainty.
when Israel was created were all Jews forced to go there? In Argentina, NYC, Europe? No- So make Jordan Palestine, that is fine, but you still have a one state in Israel with a 50-50 Palestinian/Jew demographic - there is no other way but a one state solution.
"Because Israel insists on governing the Palestinians and refuses to give up any of that control or let them have their own state."
Let's raise the Wall and see what happens! Problem is only that someone has to give Israel a security, unfortunatly that security is indeed much like a formalhydrided skin. On a note though, Israel should strengthen its relations with peaceful neighbours such as JOrdan and Saudis.
the only one state solution to end this conflict is Jordan=Palestine! There is no reason why Israeli and West Bank arabs need to suffer because of a nearly century old British decision to create a failed (Trans)Jordan to be ruled by an alien, crony monarchy with no Mandate from the majority of the population! Once the Heshamite are removed, Jordan will become "Palestine" and the West Bank will be divided between Israel and that (hopefully democratic) new state. that is the only just and lasting solution to the conflict!
the only one state solution to end this conflict is Jordan=Palestine! There is no reason why Israeli and West Bank arabs need to suffer because of a nearly century old British decision to create a failed (Trans)Jordan to be ruled by an alien, crony monarchy with no Mandate from the majority of the population! Once the Heshamite are removed, Jordan will become "Palestine" and the West Bank will be divided between Israel and that (hopefully democratic) new state. that is the only just and lasting solution to the conflict!
Try this: It's all Israel and it's all for the Jews!
Professor Khalidi has a few missing books in his reference library that will enlighten him on the middle east conflict. One is the Hamas Charter of Death & Destruction of Israel which will enlighten him greatly and help solve his confusion about Hamas' stupidity in actually believing that firing rockets is resistance that will liberate Palestine. Another is the IRGC Al Quds book on its military rules of engagement vis a vis Israel by hiring proxy shock troops along whatever lands it can usurp that border the Jewish State and emanate terror from there such as its border with Lebanon, Gaza, and hopefully Egypt next.
The only thing the world sees is a country which calls itself a democracy holding the indigenous people under brutal military occupation and creating an apartheid State. It cannot last. It will not last. It no longer matters who did what when - all that matters is that Israel has made a two-state solution impossible so there will be a one state solution and it will have a Palestinian majority and it will probably be called Palestine.
no one willingly gives up his land. and palestinians could not give up thier land in the 70s, 60s, 50s, 40s 30s. and today they are reluctant to accept the 2 state solution because of the world pressure on them, and the lack of hope that anything will return, as opposed to more being lost. anything other than this is false and nonesense. the land of palestine ws gangraped by the zionist movement, the US, the UK, france, and today the palestinians are being accused of not giving it up willingly.
no one willingly gives up his land. and palestinians could not give up thier land in the 70s, 60s, 50s, 40s 30s. and today they are reluctant to accept the 2 state solution because of the world pressure on them, and the lack of hope that anything will return, as opposed to more being lost. anything other than this is false and nonesense. the land of palestine ws gangraped by the zionist movement, the US, the UK, france, and today the palestinians are being accused of not giving it up willingly.
The majority of Palestinian Arabs wanted the ONE STATE solution in 1948 with equal rights to all and no adoption of any religious brand for the state. In brief, they did NOT want any partition to occur, since for them, Palestine is indivisible.
Responsibility for Israel,s troubles begins some 70 years ago when Ben Gurion made the following statement and every one of his successors signed on to the plan and acted accordingly. "In 1938, Ben-Gurion made it clear of his support for the "Jewish state" on part of Palestine was only as a stepping ground for a complete conquest. He wrote: "[I am] satisfied with part of the country, but on the basis of the assumption that after we build up a strong force following the establishment of the state--we will abolish the partition of the country and we will expand to the whole Land of Israel." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 107 & One Palestine Complete, p. 403) So keep spouting lies from seattle ---it does not change the facts.
Arabs never accepted any partition nor that others then arabs live in ISRAEL, They are guikty of their own situation, having no land, no government and no identity
If your question is why Israel does not accept the 1967 borders proposed by Fatah it's because Abbas' map of Palestine in his headquarters where he plans and drafts the future of the "two state solution" does not have an Israel of any size on the drawing, only one large State entitled "Palestine", and he's the "nice guy" compared to Hamas who ... well you should see what Meshal has penned and planned for Israel in Hamas' charter of death and destruction of Israel. But all of this was general knowledge in the previous century and it's now the 21st. Where have you been hiding out all this time? Did you not even hear Abbas himself recently finally acknowledge the collective Palestinian error of not accepting the State offered to them back in 1947-48?
he was talking about Jordan or should I say Trans Jordan or should I say 3/4 of British Mandated Palestine or should I say part of the Turkish Empire?
Why should they treat Jews differently than Turkey treats Kurds or Iran Ahwazi Arab?If Ahmadinejad can accuse Europe of 'stealing Iran's rain' what can we expect from Palestinians after 63 years of bloodshed and wars?They are all Muslims after all....PS.What do you want to do with Dar al Islam Koranistic idiocy?
It completely ignores Israeli Jewish needs of Jews having self-determination besides the fact that very few Jews here would agree to this option. Additionally, how do you go from 100 years of violence and hate to suddenly living together? The conflicts will change to other issues but the same energy of fear, suspicion and paranoia of one another will remain. It will turn into a Lebanon or Yugoslavia.
They want a religiously/ethnically - cleansed - "Jewish" state. And if they ever succeed with the Palestinians, you can just about bet they'll start on the Christians.
For something which was written in the 18th century.
because it is not Israelis or Jews who will be 'giving' it is world opinion which will give justice to the indigenous Palestinians through boycotts and sanctions, just as it did with South Africa. Israel has no-one to blame but itself and when the fingers point as they will it will be sane followers of Judaism who remain in the new state and happily call themselves Palstinian. Which is in fact what they always were.
Time will tell. But time is not on the side of status quo!
Time will tell. But time is not on the side of status quo!
Time will tell. But time is not on the side of status quo!
A one-state solution can only work for both Jews and 'Palestinians' if both are more committed to their nation and its principles than to the differences between them (and the destruction of either one of themselves). So, the artificial construction of one nation or two nations will not work with the enmity between the two parties unresolved. It's something the good professor doesn't address. I believe it's because he harbors a fundamental disdain for Jews and Israel.
Let's not generalize too much - what do you think?
resistance must continue ???
Because they have the ability to think things through and come to original conclusions based on research and analysis. Which is a surer and more interesting intellectual base than the usual Israeli hasbara, propaganda, unverified religious stories and racial superiority complex.
The one state solution is a great one for Palestinians but very few Jews will agree to it. It means the end of Israel. The author knows this but doesn't care. He cares only about his people.
Israel will have to choose between a one state solution (as is) or a democracy.
All that is now needed is for the indigenous Palestinians to get equal rights - establish a secular state and because they are a majority, call it Palestine and then Jews, Muslims, Christians, Atheists and the rest can get on with life.
...to expect a country with a developed infrastructure and 200 atomic missiles to just close up shop now, is it?
Israel has created this situation by refusing to give freedom and justice to the indigenous Palestinians. If Palestine becomes a Muslim state which discriminates against Christians and Jews then it will be punished, just as Israel is being punished for its discrimination and apartheid State. Why should they not be 'made to live together.'? Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, Hindus, Buddhists etc., live peacefully together around the world in many countries - why should this country be any different?
would best be relocated to Jordan and Syria from whence their grandparents originally came.
Read (carefully) Ezekiel 47:21-23 and tell me that it is not the One-State solution!
It would suit neither the Palestinians, who would feel denied their nationhood, not the Israelis, who would be denied theirs.
I can't work out whether the leftists on this board promote it out of either: i) A wish to extinguish the Jewish nature of the state; or ii) Some ridiculous notion of 'we're all the same and will live happily ever after if just given the change'. Arabs and Jews are polar opposite. Muslims v's Jewish. Culturally fundamentally different. This difference should be celebrated for diversity's sake not forced into some ridiculous middle ground lowest common denominator culture/society.
Because all citizens are EQUAL under the law and minorities are protected by a CONSTITUTION! A one state in Israel/Palestine can work if it adopts these two basic ideas.
France, Spain, China, Canada, Britain, Switzerland, .....................................
Canada would be an example to look to. Created out of the conflict between the French and English, now a success, multicultural democracy and contributing member of the UN, G7, G20 etc.
Who writes this consitution? The Muslims, the Jews? some hybrid. They both want to live different ways, why force either to live another way or both to live in some hybrid way?
If it remains Israel everyone will be Israelis, if it is called Palestine everyone will be called Palestinians, if they change the name to something neutral like Canaan then everyone will be Canaanites and within that state will be all religions - Jews, Christians, Moslems etc., a modern nation which can be a part of the civilized world as opposed to the apartheid theocracy which Israel now is. Jews are not a race or a nationality - they are a religion. whether practising or not it is a religious definition - no Judaism no Jews - hence anyone calling themselves Jewish is claiming a religious affiliation.
Not in Canadia! They don't allow the Right to Keep and Bear Arms! It is not in their Constitution. And, wiothout the means to remove an oppressive government by force if other means fail there is no Liberty in that land.
the jew and arabs have completely oppoiste cultural backgrounds, conflitants views for their society...dman, they don't even speak the same language! How long people belive such a one state would last before go down into a sectarians civil war? Days, weeks? Both jews and arabs want to live in their own state, their own state. Im totally up to a two state solution, but one state? Thats the shortest way into chaos and war. Canada, USA, Brazil, Australia and other countries are not multinational states, but multicultural states, they were colonized first by people from Europe, but were contructed by people from many places around the world...sorry to say, but saying any european country is multicultural is a bad joke, you people in Europe barelly endure immigrants, don't say your countries are like countries in America or Oceania, becuse they don't!
French Canadians and English hate each other in Canada
One could continue forever...Gypsi people of Eastern Europe? Occupied Western Sahara? Hazara people in Pakistan? Surely not the Arabs, who have 20 states of their own...
Or women in Arabia?!
Basically, the professor says 'Islam is not the answer'. The irony is that people that truly matter... like the Muslim Brotherhood, Khamenei, Maashal, Nasrallah or the Bozos of Islamic Jihad... believe that 'Islam is the only answer'. Maybe we need to send the professor as an envoy to those fanatics... let's see how far his vision for peace gets us. I like to think, academics are good at lecturing. But executing peace solutions in the real world... is reserved for people of influence and power.
People of influence and power have been playing around for 60 plus years. The reality on the ground is One State ... defacto or otherwise. There will be no two states. There will be Greater Israel by deceit, deception and brute force. And this fully supported by the US. the UK and weasel countries like Canada and my own country Australia. This one state will not be democratic, peaceful, just. A minority Jewish population will control a demonised majority Palestinian people.
Swanston... if you'd like to predict the future. I would suggest a visit to a fortune teller. Be aware, that in logic... prediction is given to fools. I prefer not to be any more foolish then absolutely necessary. But I would allow you... as much foolishness as you possibly can stand. Good luck.
More a matter of observation and a recognition of what is there to be observed. The facts are on the ground. The US has deliberately prevented any opposition to Israel's action. This is a tragedy for both peoples - Jew and Palestinian. Rashid Khalidi has provided a thoughtful reflection on the reality of the situation. I am saddened by your unwillingness to recognise this.
Obama is a secret believer in the one-state solution. He is realistic enough to recognize that a two-state solution simply will not work. Therefore his outrageous one-sidedness in favour of Israel is designed to sink the two-state solution, and leave the one-state solution as the only game in town. Short-termist zionists may thank him now, but will regret that in years to come.
I've been using this name for years and I have the archaeological evidence to prove it. Google it and you will see that I have Youtube posts dating back at least five years. If anything, you are the imposter! But I take solace in the saying that impersonation is the sincerest form of flattery (or words to that effect)
I know you're going to be attacked by right wingers. But I add my voice to your own. I am a Palestinian, and a one state solution is in my opinion the only fair solution. From the river to the sea, a united country that can truly be a beacon upon nations of the middle east.
so i would not count them in this formula. and yes, I am a christian born in the holy land.
seem like amicable sorts but an Arab majority in the country would annihilate the Jewish minority since the majority might not be as nice as Joe and Fa seem to be.
Christinas win! Read the Book and find out how!
have you seen orthodox citizens trying to escape poverty? no, they run to yeshivas and pray for salvation, and hand outs.
Your propaganda holds no water.
But then neither did the whites in apartheid SA freely give equal rights to blacks. Neither did men freely extend voting rights to women. Blacks and women had to fight for their rights, and eventually these battles are won. Israeli Jews cannot hold off the granting of full civil and human rights to all Palestinians, including the refugees in neighbouring states, forever. Israeli Jews can and will try to stop this; but ultimately, it is not a question of what Israelis will allow.
It is because of Muslim Jew hatred that there is no Pal state.
You are correct, sir! That is why God Almighty ordered them to assimilate the 'foreigners' into their society so He could punish them for disobedience when they stubbornly refused. Read Ezekeiel 47:21-23 and tell me that it is not the perfect solution to the Arabs population living in Judea and Samaria.
"“The idea that Israel is under any existential danger is fantasy. The idea that the Iranians would incinerate a 3,000-4,000 year old civilization for some apocalyptic reason and destroy themselves as a government, as a regime, and as individuals – is irrational,” Khalidi said". This he said regarding Jews that just 70 years ago went through the 'irrational' holocaust, and the irrational ethnic cleansing of loyal Sephardic Jews across most of the Arab world? How about the 1948 war of independence in which Israel was attacked before it even had a foreign policy to speak-of? Israel exists in-order to protect Jews from the same silly irrationality Khalidi now mocks in the statement above. It is not the Jewish-Israeli level of rationale - or lack thereof - that is the issue here.
you also forget what happend with palestinians in 1947, plan dalet anyone?
Even on the state of Israels page it says PALESTINE was invaded. Yes it was invaded by arab armies who went to the aid of the Palestinians who were being marauded by Jewish terrorists seeking to destroy the bid for statehood for them. Your people were smuggling in planes in parts , and weapons as well as ammo in barrels on refugee ships. Dont try to play innocent!
1948 went neighbours in.
Your rabid rants are all hogwash. The crux is, why do you support killers of women and infants, both Israeli and American ? Why do you support those who celebrated the events of 9/11, Mr. New Yorker ?
Not all of the land of 'palestina' was/is Israel. But, all of the west bank, Judea and Samaria, IS Israel. And, no matter how many of the Arabs manage to migrate there, it will always be Israel.
The Arabs most certainly launched attacks inside the current borders and the borders of the Jewish half of the 1947 UN partition; to claim that they didn't is preposterous. For example, Tel Aviv was bombed by Egypt. But there are a lot more examples than that.
that a one state solution would be a much better thing than a "Palestine" ruled by Hamas!
All people were as intelligent abd clearsighted as this man.
they have rejected 2 state with the continuing settlements, now its off to 1 state therefore demolishing zionist grand strategy of a greater israel without arabs.
An Arab Palestinian state could be constructed in the remainder.
An Arab Palestinian state could be constructed in the remainder.
He is totally irrelevant to anything. His ideas are neither here or nor there. Why is Haaretz wasting time with this nobody? A serious newspaper would only interview serious actors that can make a difference.
he is one of the foremost scholars in the world on the subject, and some people like to listen to intelligent views rather than pointless propaganda
The fact that he takes the classic Edward Said/Tariq Ramadan posture ('I am so much more civilized than my Arab brethren that they can't even follow my kind of taqqiyah') only makes him that much more dangerous.
I don't hear you complain about oh, someone like Alan Dershowitz. He lives in the US...but you don't object to him interfering with Israel do you? This professor makes more sense and is probably a lot wiser than the aformentioned Dershowitz....and he has every right to his opinion
Bring this guy and Ray Hanana into the land to take over the Palestinian authority
I have a similar saying. I believe therefore; it must be true, for if it wasn't, I would not believe.
I have a similar saying. I believe therefore; it must be true, for if it wasn't, I would not believe.
Rashid Khalidi is the smart guy; I have doubts he is really welcome by Palestinians; however, anyway, he said "The idea that the Iranians would incinerate a ..civilization for some apocalyptic reason and destroy themselves .. – is irrational" . His claim is not convincing. Is what Palestinians did always rational? Was the explosion of buses and cafees rational? If yes, so ...
the King David Hotel rational?
At the time.....
Yes, both bombing buses and bombing the King David Hotel were rational on a large scale--as in, both were rational attempts to further their causes (I'm not commenting on the morality of either event). Iran beginning a nuclear war is completely irrational since it will only hurt their future and bring large scale devastation to themselves. And to preempt anybody who didn't understand my first sentence: yes, it is somewhat irrational for someone to kill himself for a cause, but from the perspective of the guy who gave the order, it is completely rational. Furthermore, each bomber was brain-washed that he will be rewarded with paradise, so, again, not even so irrational.