There has been a sea change in Israeli views of the “two-state solution”: “The two-state delusion is dead: Israel knows it, the world must accept it – comment,” by Zvika Klein, Jerusalem Post, February
…This is a remarkable transformation. Just a few years ago, any talk of relocating Palestinians was considered fringe. Parties such as Moledet, headed by late minister Rehavam Ze’evi, were considered far Right, but in today’s reality, would he be considered such? Now, it is mainstream policy discussion, and not because Israelis have become extremists, but because they have woken up.
If October 7 proved anything, it’s that Israel cannot afford to live next to another terror state. According to a survey published last week by Direct Polls for the right-wing pro-settlement organization the Sovereignty Movement and Pulse of Israel, 71% of Israelis oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state. This is up from 59% before October 7 – meaning 12% of Israelis who previously supported Palestinian statehood have changed their position.
That is a tectonic realignment. Support for Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria has also surged, with 68% of Israelis backing some form of sovereignty. A quarter of Israelis favor full sovereignty over the entire area, alongside policies encouraging Arab migration. In contrast, others support applying sovereignty to the Jordan Valley, to settlements, or only to Area C. This shows that Israelis have accepted a simple truth: a Palestinian state would not bring peace; it would bring more attacks like October 7.
If there is one issue that – unfortunately – divides Israelis, it is the hostage deal. Everyone wants the hostages home. The question is, at what cost? An INSS poll published last month found that 70% of Israelis supported a deal to release hostages and implement a ceasefire before the agreement took effect, with 55% believing it is acceptable to meet some Hamas demands to secure the release of hostages, even if fighting resumes later, while 73% oppose any deal that leaves Hamas in power and 59% reject a partial hostage release deal in exchange for a ceasefire. At the same time, 66% of Israelis say bringing home all hostages is more critical than dismantling Hamas, according to a January 12 aChord Institute poll.
There is no easy answer. The Israeli public understands that Hamas is using our morality against us. The question is whether we should allow it to keep doing so.
The return of Trump to the White House has reignited discussions about a potential Israeli-Saudi peace agreement. However, according to the Direct Polls survey, more than half of Israelis oppose a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia if it requires recognizing a Palestinian state. Conversely, the mentioned aChord Institute poll found that 60% of Israelis would support a Trump-led peace initiative that includes normalization with Saudi Arabia and a pathway to Palestinian statehood. This contradiction reflects the tension in Israeli public opinion. Israelis want regional integration, but they do not trust that a Palestinian state would lead to peace….
Those 60% who would support a “Trump-led” peace initiative leading to a “pathway to Palestinian statehood” would not do so if such an initiative came from anyone else: they have faith in Trump’s “cutting the best deal” possible for Israel, including an insistence on Israel keeping control of all the major settlement blocs, the Jordan Valley, and all of Area C. Such a deal would undoubtedly require, as well, the complete disarmament of the new “Palestinian” state, with handguns and rifles allowed only for the police. Not “statehood,” but rather, a “pathway to statehood,” implies a long duration, lasting many years until that “statehood” may finally be achieved. A more significant result is that 71% — nearly three-quarters — of all Israeli Jews are now adamantly opposed to a Palestinian state. That figure is likely to rise as returning hostages tell more stories about their horrific captivity, and as it becomes clear just how many Israeli hostages were murdered by Hamas. The “two-state solution,” whatever that is, can continue to be mentioned by the Great and Good, but it’s now dead in Israel, and no resuscitation is possible. Prime Minister Netanyahu has eloquently phrased what Israel wants for the Palestinians: “I’m certainly willing to have them have all the powers that they need to govern themselves, but none of the powers that can threaten us.”
63% of Palestinians refuse to accept a demilitarized state, while the 29% of Israelis who are willing to accept a Palestinian state will do so only if it is demilitarized. There is no way to bridge this gap.
The world is going to have to get used to Israel’s refusal to commit suicide by accepting a Palestinian state built on land to which Israel has superior title, and that it needs for its defense. But what about all that talk about how wonderful for Israel a ‘normalization of ties with Saudi Arabia” would be? The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has again insisted that there can be no “normalization of ties” with Israel until after a Palestinian state has been established. The value of that “normalization of ties” has been greatly exaggerated. Exactly what benefit would Israel receive from such “normalization” that would outweigh the loss in security that a Palestinian state would bring? Israel should stop running after the Saudis, panting for that normalization, and simply let it be known that “very well then, we will just have to carry on without those ties to Riyadh.” Deprived of Israel’s aid in a variety of fields — agriculture, technology, medical care, defensive weaponry, renewable energy — it is Saudi Arabia that will be the loser. Nothing will now convince the majority of Israelis to accept the dangerous will-o’-the-wisp of a “two-state solution.”
RightStuff says
No two-state solution if one state wants to kill you. Simple.
Cameron Tremblay says
Best Example, Myanmar!
Walter Sieruk says
President Trump has revealed his good judgment and understanding of how things are in the Middle East as well as wisdom by being opposed to the terrible folly of what had been termed a “two state solution” Which in reality isn’t really a solution at all.
For example, Hamas had proven not only the its words but ,more terrible murderous actions, starting on October 7th, that it wants to completely destroy the State of Israel and even commit genocide worldwide on the Jewish people. That Hamas jihad attack and continued further Islam terror/murder attacks reveals the terrible folly and total lack of wisdom in the idea of a two-state solution.
Therefore, that so called “two state solution” is not really a valid idea and not a genuine solution. It will definitely not stop this awful Israeli –Muslim land conflict.
Thus, a “two state solution” is out of the question. .This is because a “two state solution” not really a “solution” but an Islamic ploy of deception , a smokescreen and hoax and a fraud.
To put all this in another way , October7th with those Hamas Islamic terror murderous jihadist attacks into Israel from Gaza exposes that even the idea of some people of dividing Jerusalem as well as other parts of the State of Israel between the Jewish people of the Muslim/ Arabs is nothing but folly. To engage the madness of such “talks” is a hoax and a farce .This is because in the so called “negotiations” between the heads of the Jewish nation of Israel and the leaders of the “Palestinians” the Muslim /Arabs the “Palestinian” leaders will speak the truth only when in happens to fit their agenda. The rest of the time the will be speaking half-truths and outright lies. For their goal is to obtain all of the land of the State of Israel. Even in it takes much time and it means getting the land piece by piece. Therefore, those “peace talks” are a hoax.
For the “Palestinian” leaders are employing what is the Islamic doctrine of Taqiyya . Which is the Islamic dogma that lying and deception are good things to do as long as it’s done for the cause of the advancement of Islam. This insidious scheme is part of the stealth jihad . Such sly and something subtle strategy of disingenuous speech, lying deception of achieving the goal of all the land of Israel a war ploy that will be a disaster if the heads of the State of Israel are foolish enough to agree to divide the land of Israel with Muslim /Arabs ,the “Palestinians.” For if such a “peace dialogue” results in a divided land, the outcome will literally be murder. For “Palestinian” leader will allow the jihadists use that land as a base to launch murderous rocket attacks in to Israel. As for example, Hamas of Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Such false hopes for peace which are based on the foundation of lies are nothing new when it comes to Israel. For example, the Bible in Psalm 55:20, 21. Reads “Such men do violence to those at peace with them and break their promised word; their speech is smoother the butter but their thoughts are of war.” [N.E.B.]
Tony Rice says
Brilliant summing up Walter, no point in re-instating situation as was. In fact no ” agreement ” with Hamas could work, because of Hamas. WHEN all the hostages are back, I would flood the tunnels with gas and kill the lot of Hamas. I wonder how the countries and people who flooded Hamas and Gaza with money feel now they know their money was spent on building miles of tunnels and making Hamas leaders into billionaires.
Walter Sieruk says
Those Muslim terrorists of Hamas, who are so wickedly active in their underground tunnels must be two legged mole rats.
In all fairness to the fur covered four legged mole rats , they are’t nearly as horrible and destructive as those horrendously despicable jihadists of Hamas.
Rob Porter says
Walter, get one thing straight, as exceptionally good as it is that Donald Trump was re-elected President of the U.S., for all of his genuine love of Israel he HAS NOT “revealed his good judgment and understanding of how things are in the Middle East.”
Trump’s enthusiasm for Steve Witkoff’s acceptance of the Biden plan for ending the war and returning hostages and his view of how he thinks Muslims view the world, tells us that he does not have a good understanding of Islam and how as a consequence of Islamic teachings, Muslim think and view the world. We are worlds apart and I don’t see evidence that Trump understands this. In my opinion, right now Qatar views Steve Witkoff as ‘a useful idiotic’ as he gullibly swallows Qatar’s deceitful role of supporting Islamic terrorism including Hamas, harbouring terrorists in Qatar, while simultaneously playing the peacemaker role in respect of Israel.
Trump’s fascinating and bold speech about seven years ago to Muslims – I think in Saudi Arabia – call it an ‘anti-terror speech’ – represented a white Westerner’s view of the world and of people’s aspirations that he considered would also apply to Muslims. He has no understanding of the Islamic call for jihad, hatred of “unbelievers”, particularly Jews and Christians, and Muslim desire for a world-wide Islamic caliphate.
My wish is that Donald Trump will very soon come to under his limitation in understanding of Islam and invite in Robert Spencer to educate himself and Steve Witkoff.
Meanwhile this desire for normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabis is nauseating tripe. That the “Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has again insisted that there can be no “normalization of ties” with Israel until after a Palestinian state has been established.” says it all. He wants a Muslim solution that will leave Israel vulnerable to another October 7-like attack. Let Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman go fly a kite. As this article says, the importance of close relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia – from whence most of the 9/11 savages came – is highly exaggerated,
Brent Horton says
I will never, ever, support a ” Two State ” solution. There is a reason why no Arab/Muslim Country on Planet Earth, refuses to take one ” palestinian “.
Cynthia says
The problem is Trump wants the Saudi normalization and they want a Palestinian state- huge dilemma. But it would 100% be a terrorist state.
That the West doesn’t see jihad as a threat, especially after their recent up close and personal attacks is purposeful blinders.
Hank says
“The two-state delusion is dead: Israel knows it, the world must accept it”
The two-state solution has been tried and it does not work. The cycle will repeat itself – Hamas (Iranian Shiites) neutralizing Fatah leaders and taking over the place, money going to building tunnels and Hamas leaders becoming billionaires. The people there get nothing out of it except death and destruction.
Trump’s plan of moving them to surrounding Muslim countries like Jordan or Egypt would break that endless cycle. The funds that previously built tunnels and hatched billionaires would then go to the people themselves as they resettle.
Another bonus is that Islamists would not have an excuse to hold Saudi Arabia, etc., hostage by repeating the so-called “Palestine” mantra. Those Arab states are terrified of Islamists in their societies who keep trying to bring the Kingdom/Government down. If that happens they know that they will lose all their wealth in a day.
Billy says
Israel is the ONLY state, and Islam should be banned due to Muslim terrorism, discrimination, and violence against Israelis. Like a Foreign Terrorist Organization(FTO) designated by the USA Secretary of State, Islam is a MUSLIM TERRORIST ORGANIZATION(MTO) against Non-Muslims and NOT A PEACEFUL RELIGION UNDER WESTERN LAWS(Quran 2:216; 4:95; 8:12,39,74; 9:5,29,41,49, 21:921; 88,111,123;21:92; 49:15 and more). More specifically, Islam is a Muslim Terrorist Ideology and Murderous, Criminal Enterprise of continuous war, discrimination, segregation, supremacy, genocide, polygamy, propaganda, deceit, hatred, incitement, sedition, rape, terrorism, and violence against all Non-Muslims as taught in the Quran. Fundamentally, Islam funds, teaches, and promotes a Terrorist Criminal Organization with Muslims as Terrorists for Allah.
The FRUIT of Islam is incessant WAR, terrorism, discrimination, slavery, malice, ISLAMIZATION, and violence against all Non-Muslims; this FACT must be taught and broadcast to the general public to prohibit Islam, its Mosques, its Courts, and its Schools. Also, Islam is an Antichrist System terrorizing Israel, Christians, and Non-Muslims. Plus, there is NO EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW in Islam or in Islamic Law(Quran 98:6-7; 9:29 and more). In Sahih Bukhari(V6,B60,N80), Abu Huraira narrates, “‘You(Muslims) are the best of peoples ever raised for mankind.’ means, the best of peoples for the people, as you bring them[Non-Muslims] with chains on their necks till they embrace Islam[see Quran 3:110].” See also Quran 3:22,151; 69:30-32; 98:6.
Non-Muslims CANNOT have peace with Islam and its Muslims because Islam and its murderous god, Allah, demand a continuous, Muslim war against unbelievers where Non-Muslims are CRIMINALS under Islam when Allah in Qur’an 8:39 says, “And engage in war with them[Non-Muslims] until there will not be sedition and the religion will be completely to Allah…” HENCE, NON-MUSLIMS MUST MAKE ISLAM, ITS MOSQUES, ITS SCHOOLS, ITS ORGANIZATIONS, ETC. ILLEGAL UNDER THE LAW. Similarly, Islam and its many Organizations must be identified and publicly declared to be MUSLIM TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS for their funding, teaching, and support of terrorism, violence, and discrimination against Non-Muslims(eg. Quran 9:5,29,111 and more).
Western Muslims seek to ensure Islam’s legitimacy against Non-Muslim societies, to impose Islamic Law in Western Legal Systems, and to advance Islam’s totalitarian goals to conquer the West. Consequently, Islam promotes a limitless, terroristic, Muslim war against unbelievers when Allah in Qur’an 49:15 says, “Surely the believers are only those who believed in Allah and his messenger. They do not doubt, and they performed JIHAD with THEIR MONEY AND THEIR LIVES for the sake of Allah. Those are the truthful.”
Deceitful Allah promises Heavenly Paradise to Muslims for acts of Muslim killing in terrorist attacks against Non-Muslims and Muslim hypocrites when Quran 9:111 says, “Surely Allah has purchased from the believers[Muslims] their souls and their money so that they may have the garden[Heavenly Paradise]. They engage in war for the sake of Allah, so they kill and are killed…”
gravenimage says
There Has Been a Sea Change in Israeli Views of the ‘Two-State Solution’
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Yes–I think that Israelis are getting tired of “Palestinian” Muslims wanting to destroy Israel and murder them all. I wonder why? sarc/off