Reply #49: I notice that you failed to comment on the harsh treatment

[pennylane100]

that the Palestinians endure under Israeli occupation. However, that is beside the point. I acknowledge that I have low expectations for freedom to flourish in a Palestinian state. But that is not a reason to keep them living under Israeli occupation.

Individual rights to not exist for them at the moment, Statehood would give them a better chance of gaining rights than under the present occupation where in Gaza they are blockaded in and in the West Bank where they are being overrun by illegal settlements. Either way their choices are few but it should be theirs to make.

You ask why would the progressive liberal world promote a state that has no intention of living up to western ideals. Sadly, that can now be said of this country's support of Israel where prominent religious leaders there speak openly about the need to build communities reserved only for Jews. There are many Jewish communities that severely restrict the rights of women and Israel Arabs usually are treated poorly.

Wile they can with some small justification say the occupation ensures the safety of their citizens they cannot justify it by saying that the Palestinians are not up to running their own country. Sink or swim, that is the Palestinian choice and the sooner both sides sit down and start acting responsibly, the better.