- Moderator
- #81
Let me ask this then. How is that different than the message from the settlements that Palestinians aren't welcome? It seems to me if they were more integrated to begin with each side would realize that the other are not that much different.
Israel has already clearly and loudly said that Arab Muslims and Arab Christians are welcome. (Yes, I realize that discrimination exists and needs to be corrected. The whole world is like that. Even Canada struggles with it, and we are pretty awesome. Grin.)
"Palestine" is clearly and loudly saying, "We will not even talk to you until the Jews are gone off our land."
There can be no peace with that ideology.
I think that is not so clear. For one - settlements, in particular Jewish ONLY settlements in land that the Palestinians are not allowed to create "settlements" create a difficult situation. I don't think they are asking for all settlements to be dismantled ahead of talking. They're asking for a freeze on further building becuase it decreases the potential for a second state.
Now I know you say it shouldn't matter but it does. Should Jewish settlements become a part of a new Palestinian state with all the rights and protections of any other Palestinian settlement? Yes.
BUT.
How?
How will the following be resolved?
would the residents be willing to accept another nationality
would the Palestinians be able to make them feel both safe and enfranchised
would they be willing to open their settlements to non Jews
how would land disputes be resolved? This is a huge issue in Israel - and the fairness of it is under considerable dispute. I would expect the same from the Palestinian side
In an ideal situation - I would agree that it should not matter, but we're not talking about ideals, where talking about emotional and fallible human beings involved in a very long conflict. A freeze on settlements would do two things: indicate a willingness to negotiate and secondly, it would cease creating false optimism. Optimism that the settlements won't get dismantled. Optimism that this could become part of a Palestinian state.