The Two State Solution

Netanyahu and Secretary of State, Antony Blinken (JNS)

I wish I could agree with the Biden Administration. The idea of two states, one Jewish and one Palestinian living side by side in peace and harmony would be the ideal solution if it were possible. But as I have pointed out many times, it isn’t even remotely possible. That realization is now recognized not only by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it is also recognized by the majority of the Israeli people. As noted by JNS columnist, Caroline Glick: 

Israelis, of course, have engaged in the question of Palestinian statehood. After the atrocities that the Palestinians carried out against their people and state on Oct. 7—and as the full mobilization of Palestinian society in Gaza and Judea and Samaria on behalf of Hamas’s war of genocide against Israel has been revealed—Israeli support for Palestinian statehood dried up. As Direct Polls revealed last month, 81% of Israelis, including Arab Israelis, say there is no prospect for peace with the Palestinians, including 70% of left-wing voters. Some 88% of Israelis do not trust the Palestinian leadership. 

This poll should not go unnoticed by the rest of world Jewry. It reveals that until October 7^th, there was a sizable number of Israelis that supported a ‘two state solution’. Especially by Israelis that are left of center. Now much of the left recognizes the fallacy of that ‘solution’. How could they not, considering the huge numbers of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank  (and anywhere in the world they can be found) supported the bloody massacre by Hamas of 1200 Jews and the kidnapping of 300 mostly Jewish hostages from Israel. 

That the the Biden administration and even some of Israel’s left wing politicians (that include some retired generals) are ignoring that is mindboggling. How in heaven’s  name can you agree to the creation of a state bordering Israel that would in essence be run by Nazis that their public supports! 

Consider the following reasons not to support it (some of which I have noted myself) by Glick:

The P.A.’s U.S.-financed forces train for war against Israel and participate in terrorist attacks.The P.A. pays salaries to jailed terrorists, including the Hamas murderers and rapists who carried out the Oct. 7 atrocities.

The P.A. schools, universities and media indoctrinate Palestinian children and society as a whole to seek the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish people through a genocidal jihad.

The P.A.’s official position since Oct. 7 is to seek the establishment of a unity government between Fatah and Hamas in Judea and Samaria, as well as Gaza. 

In other words, empowering the genocidal P.A. means maintaining Hamas’s grip on power. Neither P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas nor any P.A. or Fatah official has yet condemned the atrocities of Oct. 7. 

It is sheer madness to advocate for a Palestinian state led by people like this. That Netanyahu has rejected it makes eminent sense. The rejection of a Palestinian state is the far safer option than embracing what will surely be the biggest existential threat in Israel’s history. And yet this is exactly what the Biden Administration wants Israel to do.

I am convinced that Biden’s support for Israel is genuine and that he fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself. Support backed up with considerable substance. Which is something Jews worldwide should express profound gratitude for. Especially in light of the protests all over the world accusing Israel of genocide. But exposing Israel to the same thing all over again multiplied many times over if the West Bank were to be turned over to the Palestinians would actually undermine Israel’s ability to defend itself. Which could portend its demise! God forbid.

Netanyahu has been given the Israeli version of Sophie's Choice. By rejecting the two state solution he risks losing American support which in an of itself would constitute an existential threat. Israel would not be able to defend itself without the military hardware and munitions the US supplies. 

As much as I would love to see peace between Israel and the Palestinians... as much as I would be willing to give up land for peace... it cannot be at the risk of  Israel’s demise. Which a Palestinians pray for and why they support Hamas.  

Contrary to popular belief, I believe that Netanyahu could be convinced to support a two state solution if Palestinians would be deradicalized. He actually said as much with respect to giving them control over Gaza. But we will sooner see pigs fly. Especially now when Palestinians are surely eager for revenge on a major scale considering what Israel has done to them there as they pursue Hamas.

If they would only realize it is Hamas that is really responsible for their misery. Then there might be a chance for deradicalization. But 75 years of indoctrinated hatred of Israel is so deeply embedded into their national psyche, that blaming Israel is all they can see. Instead of blaming Hamas, they see them as their eventual liberators!

Why the Biden administration doesn’t factor these truths into his calculations I cannot understand. It would be one thing if Biden predicated his support for a Palestinian state on the deradicalization of the Palestinian people. Then I would support it too. But he has not said that and keeps insisting that Gaza should be handed over to the PA who would eventually also govern a Palestinian state! 

The president has to know all of these problems. Which turns his genuine support for Israel on its head! 

I just don’t get it.