A One-State Solution

[Vern Humphrey]

P.S. On the term "Palestinian." In 133 A.D. (or C.E, if the fact that we count time from the approximate birth of Jesus) after defeating the second and last revolt of the Judeans the Roman Emperor Hadrian prohibited any Jew from coming within 70 miles of the site of the city of Jerusalem. He also changed the name of the province from "Judea" to "Palestina." Palestina is the Latin for Philistia, the Philistines being the traditional enemies of the Jews; one last parting insult from old Hadrian.

Hadrian also built a Greco-Roman city, Alea Capitolina on the ruins of Jerusalem, and built a temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount. Jews were not allowed to return to Jerusalem until the Muslims conquered the city in 636-7 AD. In 1099, the Crusaders captured Jerusalem, drove out the Muslim and Jewish inhabitants and slaughtered them under the walls. The Muslims re-took Jerusalem in 1187 and again allowed the Jews to return.

[Mark in Ottawa]

Let us not forget that in May 1948, the day after the state of Israel was proclaimed, five Arab armies attacked the new country. Had they not attacked, there would have been no refugees. Since then, the Arab countries have left the refugee issue in limbo, have refused to accept any responsibility for their actions and clearly viewed it as a tool to cause trouble for Israel. At one point, Gaza was under Egyptian control but under the peace agreement following the 1972 war, the Egyptians were smart enough to refuse to take back Gaza. They knew and know that Gaza is nothing but an ongoing pain in the neck. At one point, Jordan took in a lot of Palestinians and their thanks for doing so was that the Palestinians tried to assassinate the King of Jordan and take over the country. The Jordanians threw all of them out by force and they ended up in Lebanon where they pretty much took over part of the country. Bottom line here is that nobody in their right mind wants the Palestinians in their country. Given that, the West Bank cannot become part of Jordan (again) and Gaza cannot become part of Egypt (again). The Israelis will never let them be part of Israel. The only solution is for the two areas to become small separate countries. I would note that to a large exent this is the case now. There are no Israelis at all in Gaza.

[Vern Humphrey]

Let us not forget that in May 1948, the day after the state of Israel was proclaimed, five Arab armies attacked the new country. Had they not attacked, there would have been no refugees. Since then, the Arab countries have left the refugee issue in limbo, have refused to accept any responsibility for their actions and clearly viewed it as a tool to cause trouble for Israel. At one point, Gaza was under Egyptian control but under the peace agreement following the 1972 war, the Egyptians were smart enough to refuse to take back Gaza. They knew and know that Gaza is nothing but an ongoing pain in the neck. At one point, Jordan took in a lot of Palestinians and their thanks for doing so was that the Palestinians tried to assassinate the King of Jordan and take over the country. The Jordanians threw all of them out by force and they ended up in Lebanon where they pretty much took over part of the country. Bottom line here is that nobody in their right mind wants the Palestinians in their country. Given that, the West Bank cannot become part of Jordan (again) and Gaza cannot become part of Egypt (again). The Israelis will never let them be part of Israel. The only solution is for the two areas to become small separate countries. I would note that to a large exent this is the case now. There are no Israelis at all in Gaza.

The problem is there is no road to peace. No Israeli politician can even suggest removing the settlements -- Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated when he suggested such a thing. Similarly, no Palestinian politician can accept a peace deal that leaves the settlements in place.

[Mark in Ottawa]

There is an old but telling joke. A scorpion arrives at the Jordan River and wants to cross but alas he can't swim. He sees a water snake nearby and asks if he could carry him across the river. The snake refuses, saying that without doubt, the scorpion would sting him and he would die. The scorpion replies that that would never happen since if he stung the snake, the snake would certainly die but he, the scorpion would drown. Seeing the logic of it, and wanting to help a fellow creature, the snake invites the scorpion to ride on his back. Sure enough, when they're half way across, the scorpion stings the snake. As he is dying, the snake asks the scorpion why he did that, knowing that they would both now die. The scorpion replies "It is in my nature and in any case, this is the Middle East"

[Art]

Lets not give the Muslims a total pass here. When the Fatimids took over Jerusalem in 1009 they began a period of active persecution of Christians and Jews. This eventually led, under their successors, to the banning of Christian pilgrims and the destruction of all Christian and Jewish places of worship. This led directly to the Crusades.

[lyman]

some relevant political cartoons, slash memes

[lyman]

Hadrian also built a Greco-Roman city, Alea Capitolina on the ruins of Jerusalem, and built a temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount. Jews were not allowed to return to Jerusalem until the Muslims conquered the city in 636-7 AD. In 1099, the Crusaders captured Jerusalem, drove out the Muslim and Jewish inhabitants and slaughtered them under the walls. The Muslims re-took Jerusalem in 1187 and again allowed the Jews to return.