It Ain't Gonna Happen

Submitted by Ken Leondar (United States), Sep 9, 2003 at 18:54

I start from the assumption that Palestinian acceptance of Israel's right to exist will never happen. There are enough terrorist-minded Palestinians and others of their ilk supported by the Saudis, Syria and Iran to ensure that the killings will continue as long as they can find some way to get into Israel (see todays news). No Palestinian government is going to face down what is a significant part of their population. Right now the terrorists appear to be able to strike at will. Therefore, the only thing that can be done is physical separation; unilaterally complete the fence/wall on whatever line makes sense, incorporate major settlements if possible, abandon other settlements and add a minefield and free-fire zone to the east of the fence/wall. Let them have their damn state. Troops trying to protect isolated settlements would be redeployed to monitor the border. Announce to the Palestinians and the World exactly what will happen if the border is violated. Then, any incursion becomes state-sponsored terrorism and is a rationale for all-out war. The decent Palestinians may then realize that they are not just bystanders in this conflict and may decide to do something about the terrorists in their midst. The Palestinians will, of course, scream about losing territory and so will the relocated Settlers and I do not pretend to know how it will all turn out. But we have to try something new, and understanding that there will never be a Palestinian partner makes decisions, although painful, a lot easier.
This does not address how to ensure that the Palestinians develop a peaceful state which is a subject for another time.
Ken Leondar

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