Are Two States a Solution? No one knows how to process peace in the Middle East.
By Clifford D. May
Speaking to the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee the other day, Vice President Joe Biden said: “Israel has to work toward a two-state solution.”
“You’re not going to like my saying this,” he added, but the Jewish state should not build more settlements on Palestinian territory, and should “dismantle existing outposts and allow Palestinians freedom of movement.”
Actually, it is doubtful that many people in that audience disliked — or even disagreed with — Biden’s admonitions. The same is true in Israel, where polls have for years shown widespread support for the dream of Jewish and Palestinian Arab states living in peace and aspiring to cooperation, if not friendship. As for dismantling settlements and giving up land — a commodity pint-sized Israel does not have in abundance — Israelis have repeatedly demonstrated that they are prepared to make significant concessions.