The recent war has broadened the chasm between Israelis and Palestinians, reinforcing the opponents of compromise on both sides. But even before this, prospects for a negotiated two-state solution seemed dismal. Is it time to move on to other frameworks?
A little story. Several years ago, a new neighbor upon meeting me and learning I was Jewish, asked me if I supported a two-state solution. It was weird and a little intrusive to assume it was okay to ask that just because I am a Jew, but whatever. I can't remember anyone ever asking me that before, or since. Even the students in my Israeli Politics class have never asked; maybe I always made clear I'd just answer with a professorial response rather than a direct one. Anyway, I told the neighbor, "No. But I do not have a better idea."
On the binational state idea, I agree it is a total non-starter. But your raising it made me wonder what are the "success" cases of binational states? I suppose it comes down to definition, and I am not even sure we have a good one for this category. Belgium? Cyprus (which failed)? Bosnia-Herzegovina (well short of success)? All these seem "easy" compared to Israel and Palestine.
A little story. Several years ago, a new neighbor upon meeting me and learning I was Jewish, asked me if I supported a two-state solution. It was weird and a little intrusive to assume it was okay to ask that just because I am a Jew, but whatever. I can't remember anyone ever asking me that before, or since. Even the students in my Israeli Politics class have never asked; maybe I always made clear I'd just answer with a professorial response rather than a direct one. Anyway, I told the neighbor, "No. But I do not have a better idea."
On the binational state idea, I agree it is a total non-starter. But your raising it made me wonder what are the "success" cases of binational states? I suppose it comes down to definition, and I am not even sure we have a good one for this category. Belgium? Cyprus (which failed)? Bosnia-Herzegovina (well short of success)? All these seem "easy" compared to Israel and Palestine.