The Two State Solution

The President and the Prime Minister at a press conference (Jerusalem Post)

Much has been made of the President’s recent endorsement of a two state solution to the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. The reason for that is that the administration has been very careful to form its own policy with respect to that issue. A policy that was free of the baggage of past administrations. In fact it has been very careful (some would say reckless) in developing its own policies on a variety of issues that fly in the face of the conventional wisdom of the well established polices of the past.

For that Trump has been severely criticized as a complete ignoramus and an incompetent fool that relies on the advice of his even more ignorant and incompetent son in law. All while claiming to be a genius on all matters. (Which he in fact constantly does.)

That criticism has mostly come from the left and foreign governments. But even some people in his own party questioned his ‘wisdom’ on these and most other changes in US policies. Policies that were taken for granted for years.  There has been a lot of criticism of the President’s policy decisions and even some not so private guffawing at his bloated claims of success. (Most recently during his UN speech.) Not to mention criticism where he actually deserves it. (Mostly about his character.)

With respect to policy, however, it really depends on which side of the political fence you are sitting on. If you are a political conservative or lean that way (as I do) then you are for the most part pleased with many of his changes. If you are a liberal you tend to disparage everything he does as ignorant and irresponsible. 

As I have said many times, the vast majority of things the President has done has been good for the country and for the State of Israel. I am not going to list them all and explain why I believe that. Been there and done that. I am however going to talk about his recent endorsement of the ‘Two State Solution’. I support it.

That may surprise some of you since I have said multiple times that I oppose it. But the fact is I only oppose it under the current circumstances. Not in theory. 

In theory – if this would end the conflict and eliminate terrorism against our people, resulting in two countries living side by side in peace and with friendly relations, I would jump at the chance. That is why I initially supported Oslo even though it meant giving up East Jerusalem (except for the Kotel area).

I agree with the premise that based on current demographics, you can’t have both a Democracy and a Jewish state in a one state solution.Incorporating all the West Bank into Israel and granting full citizenship and equal voting rights to Palestinians would mean that in very short order - Jews could become the minority and Palestinians would vote Israel out of existence as a Jewish state. (Recent laws to the contrary can be repealed.)

What I think (or at least hope) Trump has in mind is a what I have in mind and have repeatedly stated. Which is that a Palestinian state cannot be created in the current and age old climate of Palestinian hatred of Israel.That hatred is in their mother's milk! 

I have seen it time and again. When a typical Palestinian man (or woman) in the street is asked about whether Israel has  right to exist, most often the answer is firmly in the negative. They have been indoctrinated for decades to see Israelis (sometimes simply called: the Jews)  as usurpers of land that is ‘rightfully’ theirs and as being responsible for all their suffering as refugees!

While most of them won’t act on it by terrorizing Israelis, most of them do support those who do. Both morally and financially with monetary payments to families whose sons (and in some cases  even daughters) have sacrificed themselves as martyrs trying to kill Israelis. And all too often succeeding.They are celebrated as heroes. Streets are named after them. You can’t make peace with people that have this attitude. Which is why I am happy that the US no longer contributes money for that, having cut off all foreign aid to Palestinians.

Where the President and I part company is not in the goal, but in the practical application of this goal. He would like to make peace by the end of his first term. I am actually one step ahead of him. I would like to make peace right now! But based on the aforementioned climate, it is a virtual impossibility.

It just ain’t gonna happen no matter how good it world serve Middle East (and even world) peace.  Which means that until attitudes change en masse, the status quo will remain. It must remain! Israel will continue to control the territories and because of its need for security will unavoidably continue to make life miserable for its Muslim inhabitants. Which also means that their hatred will increase.

Meanwhile all of the President other foreign policy objectives with respect to Israel I fully support. Examples of which include:

1. Formally recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s internal capital by moving its embassy there. That was a significant symbolic statement that will very like never be reversed by any subsequent administration.

2. Never referring to settlements as an obstacle to peace. They were never the real obstacle. Certainly not after Oslo.

3. Choosing Nikky Haley to represent the US at the UN. She is one of the most pro Israel and fair minded US representatives in its entire history

4. Trump’s constant unwavering and unequivocal support for Israel’s right to defend itself as it sees fit. This is unlike any other administration – which often couched its support with warnings that they must not go too far - and sometimes even accusing them of it right along with other nations of the world. Trump has never done that. 

5. Pulling out of the nuclear deal with Iran has virtually destroyed its already plummeting economy. They are now experiencing terror some are attributing to their own people: Iranians seeking freedom from a tyrannical Islamist government. We hear a lot of belligerent talk from the current regime. But that is all it has ever been. In the meantime we will see just how long their fundamentalist regime will last as their economy keeps plunging.

I could go on. But I think I’ve made my point.

Of course there are the naysayers that will spin all of these achievements negatively. But they will not convince me. Trump’s polices have thus far been great for the Jewish State. And the people those polices effect the most - Israelis - know it, as recent polls have indicated!

So I would not sweat this new commitment to a two state solution. Even those who, unlike me, oppose it ideologically shouldn’t worry about it. In my view it has about as much chance of happening any time soon as does Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas becoming an Orthodox Jew.