Kossacks, it seems like the I-P issue has very much divided our community. That is understandable since it is a complex situation that has confounded some of the best foreign policy minds of our generation. I’m not an expert, but here’s what I see as a cross section of the spectrum of ‘solutions’ you could propose if you were somehow ruler of the universe.
(FULL RESPONSES ARE AVAILABLE AFTER JUMP)
Of course, as we saw with the Oslo Accord, getting all of the interested parties to agree and act on a resolution is a very tricky solution. Also, Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority are all subject to myriad outside pressures. Still I think it's interesting to take a look a few potential 'endgames.'
This would be best if formatted in a variety of columns: ie Divide Jerusalem (Y/N), Allow new Palestinian state to form a Army (Y/N). Also great would be some form of chart suggesting which groups or organizations have proposed which ideas.
That being said, here’s my shaky attempt at a poll. A map of current area (from Wikipedia) is here:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/...
-----
UPDATE. SORRY FOLKS. SEEMS LIKE THE POLL SOFTWARE IS CUTTING OFF MY (ADMITTADLY LENGTHY) RESPONSES. HERE THEY ARE IN THEIR ENTIRETY:
- Entirety of Israel to become Palestinian state. Immigrant Jews return to original country of origin. Jews born in Israel (70% of Jewish population) are offered Citizenship in the country of their choice and fair compensation for their land by the international community. Palestinian population to determine whether to form secular or Islamic state.
- Borders between Israel and Palestinian-majority occupied areas dissolved. Historically displaced Palestinians given financial compensation. Israeli government, Hamas, and Palestinian Authority to determine religious disposition and constitution of new state either through democracy or armed conflict.
- Israel unilaterally offers statehood to both Gaza and Westbank territories along the 1967 borders. Israel destroys settlements and repatriates settlers. Hamas and Palestinian Authority are left to create a unified Palestinian constitution either through democracy or armed conflict. Palestinian state allowed to form an army. Corridor of land connecting Gaza and Westbank is offered by Israel in exchange for matching territory along the I-P border.
- Israel unilaterally offers statehood to both Gaza and Westbank territories along the 1967 borders. Israel destroys settlements and repatriates settlers. Hamas and Palestinian Authority are left to create a unified Palestinian constitution either through democracy or armed conflict. Palestinian state NOT allowed to form an army, and is monitored by UN Peacekeepers (ala border with Lebanon). Corridor of land connecting Gaza and Westbank is patrolled by Peacekeepers.
- Both Israel, Hamas and Palestinian authority disarm in exchange for being a protectorate of large United Nations peacekeeping outfit. NATO offers to protect territory in event of attack by neighbor. A Palestinian state is created along contemporary borders, and Israel must destroy settlements created after Oslo talk, but is given the option of maintained pre 1993 settlements. Hamas and Palestinian Authority are compelled to create a unified Palestinian constitution through democracy. Both sides of Jerusalem are protected in an international ‘green’ zone and opened to visitors from any nation.
- In exchange for both Hamas recognizing Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign state and a peace treaty with Syria, Israel withdraws to 1967 borders and recognizes Palestinian statehood. Safe passage via superhighway created between Gaza and West Bank. Hamas and Palestinian Authority are left to create a unified Palestinian constitution either through democracy or armed conflict. Palestinian state allowed to form an army. Jerusalem is protected by international peacekeeping force (Oslo accord + Palestinian Army)
- In exchange for both Hamas recognizing its right to exist as a sovereign state and a peace treaty with Syria, Israel withdraws to 1967 borders and recognizes Palestinian statehood. Safe passage via superhighway created between Gaza and West Bank. Hamas and Palestinian Authority are left to create a unified Palestinian constitution either through democracy or armed conflict. Palestinian state NOT allowed to form an army. Jerusalem is divided. International peacekeeping forces police the border. (Modified Oslo accord).
- Israel maintains current borders, as outlined by ‘defense wall’. Egypt, Jordan, and Syria each annex their neighboring areas of the Palestinian territory and grant full citizenship to population in exchange for compensation from Israel and international community. Jerusalem divided with Jordan.
- Status quo.