I somewhat disagree with this analysis. What you say is definitely the case for the Israeli side at the moment. The vast majority of Israelis would never agree to live in one state with the Palestinians where all would have de jure and de facto equal rights, and where the Palestinians would likely constitute a majority in no time at all.
However, I do not think that this is the case for the Palestinian side. I estimate that the majority of the Palestinian population would be interested in just such a solution, and that the Palestinian Authority would have no trouble persuading their population of something of this sort.
For a majority of the Palestinians, the two-state solution is a HUGE comprimise, and a one-state solution, with the Israeli population still intact and given equal-rights would still be a historical comprimise. For the Israeli population, a two state solution (with them in control of the majority of the landmass), is the optimal solution.
Best,
Bryan
----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Pollak" <mpollak at panix.com> To: <lbo-talk at lists.panix.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2002 1:48 AM Subject: Re: Palestine, aka, The right list
>
> On Tue, 9 Apr 2002, Chris Kromm wrote:
>
> > Of course, the true progressive position is the demand for a single,
> > secular state. But in today's intellectual and political climate, that's
> > as crazy as arguing for, say, socialism.
>
> The analogy not quite right. Arguing for socialism is always pressure in
> the right direction. Arguing for a single state in the current climate is
> arguing against the forces of compromise on both sides -- against the best
> either of them is willing to contemplate selling to their people. You are
> right that the ultimate solution has to be some kind of organic unity that
> covers the whole region. But the political reality is that the only
> presently available path to that solution lies through the two state
> solution, perhaps as another stage after it, after a reality of economic
> and social integration leads to federation. To support a one state
> solution in the present climate is to support the forces who are against
> peace on both sides.
>
> Michael
>
>
>