Reply #8: Except that the PA

[JoDog]

will never accept a 2-state solution. Even if they are just granted Gaza by the UN, that would make any agreement a de facto 2-state solution. A 2-state solution would be a de facto acknowledgement of the existance of Israel and acceptance of its continued existance. If the PA were will to do that, they would be at the negotiating table. But since that is one of Israel's main requirements for the restart of talks, they refuse.

There is no such thing as "occupied land" in Israel. At most, Judea and Samarra are "disputed territories" that were occupied by Jordan before 1967 and then claimed by Israel after the 6 Day War. Even so, Israel has repeatedly offered incredible amounts of territory and concessions, including the 1994 proposal that would have given the PA about 95% of its demands (an offer which probably cost PM Rabin his life) and a 2000 proposal that conceded to almost 100% of the PA desires. Both were rejected. The PA was not then, and is not now, interested in 2-state compromise.

Please remember that there was a 2-state solution already: the original partition of Trans Jordan in 1947. It was split into 2 states: one for Jews and one for Muslims. Rather then accept that, the Arab citizens, backed by the nations that had agreed to accept any refugees as citizens, attacked Israel after it declared itself a political state in 1948. The same thing will happen again in 2012, unless the PA changes one of the basic tenets of its philosphy and accepts the continued existence of the Jewish state.

I'm not saying Israel hasn't done reprehensible things. Quite the contrary. There have been human rights abuses, and they must be dealt with. But anyone who thinks that the PA will settle for just Gaza and/or Judea/Samarra is ignoring history and the facts on the ground, both of which are essential for anyone looking to make a fair assessment of what will go into motion next Friday.

I strongly encourage everyone to take a look at these 2 short videos by an Israeli deputy minister of foreign affairs. And remember, there are 2 sides to every story. All we seem to hear in the West is the PA's side. Take a few minutes to listen to Israel's, just in the interest of being fair. And here's an extra on why the 1967 borders (actually the 1948 borders), combined with modern warfare technology, would likely mean Israel's death, as well as violating previous UN resolutions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGYxLWUKwWo&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAuBc_cbXo0&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2hZ6SlSqq0&feature=share