I refer to "Israel-Gaza war: a two-state solution is the only viable course for peace", 10 November.
I find it astonishing that an international group of "concerned academics" should publish an Open Letter calling on Israel to offer a "two-state solution" without mentioning that this solution has been offered to Palestinians repeatedly since 1937 — by both Israel and the United Nations — and has repeatedly been refused. Most recently in 2008 when the "secret proposal" of Ehud Olmert offered near 100% of Palestinians demands, only to be again summarily rebuffed with no counter offer.
It's not for nothing that Palestinians are said to be unable to take "yes" for an answer.
The "concerned academics" also don't mention that the Palestinian side have a policy known as the "Three noes", established at the Khartoum Resolution in 1967. It calls for: NO peace with Israel, NO negotiations with Israel and NO recognition of Israel.
This policy holds to this day by both Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank.
How can we deal with that?
Having made repeated offers of a two-state solution, all rebuffed, Israel asks "With whom are we supposed to negotiate? With whom are we supposed to agree? To whom are we supposed to offer a state?"
Indeed.
To achieve a peace we all ardently hope for, it's no good rehashing a stale formula that's failed time and again.
It's time the west shifted from constant pressure on Israel and pressured instead the Palestinian side, especially the (marginally) more moderate Palestinian Authority to drop the "Three Noes". To demand Hamas drop its Charter to kill Jews "wherever they're found". To demand recognition of Israel.
And, distressed by children killed as we all surely are, call for Hamas to surrender. Not ceasefire, which will allow Hamas to lock and reload. Surrender.
Of course this is difficult. But “difficult” is rather better than impossible.
Pf etc
