What second state?
What are the facts about the so-called "two state solution"? The Palestine Authority (PA) was established under the Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO in 1979, that were in the process of being implemented when terrorism against Israeli civilians reached such an extent that the Israeli Government was forced to halt all further withdrawals. By then the PA included all the main Palestinian population centers, Gaza and the main cities on the West Bank (Tulkarm, Kalkilya, Jenin, Ramallah, Nablus, Bethlehem) constituting 95% of the Palestinian Arab population. Then in 2006, the PA held elections that Hamas won, and as a result of the Sharon policy of disengagement of total withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, Gaza became a Hamas entity. Thus, the PA is split between Hamas and the Fatah/PLO.
As if that wasn't complex enough, the PA in the West Bank is now tottering on the edge of collapse. Pres. Abbas is still considered the President of the PA, even though his term in office expired last year. He fired former PM Fayyad because Hamas would not accept him, and there were negotiations for a Unity Government going on between Hamas and Fatah in Cairo, in the hope of netting the $4.5 billion put up by the EU, UN and US for reconstruction in Gaza. But, they could not agree, and now Pres. Abbas is intending to re-appoint Fayyad (and the money is in abeyance).
But, not only Hamas opposes Fayyad's re-appointment, but the old timers in Fatah are against him, because he is an independent who doesn't give them jobs. In order to overcome this problem Abbas is threatening to call a meeting of the PLO National Council, that has not been in session for about 18 years. The old guard oppose this and are threatening to start a new intifada against Abbas and bring him down if he does this. However, the young guard in Fatah (not so young, but at least not in their 70s and 80s) support a National meeting of the PLO in order to try to take it over and threaten an intifada if Abbas doesn't convene the Assembly. So at present the PA is paralyzed by internal dissension.
Another cause for contention is the PA Police Force, that is being trained by the US, the UK and the EU, and has taken over control of several PA cities. The American and EU idea is that if the PA has enough trained forces to control the various cities, then the likelihood of a Hamas takeover is reduced. As of now the PA Police only operate during daylight. Most experts agree that not only are the PA Police heavily infiltrated, but that once sight of armed Hamas gunmen are seen on the streets the police will disappear. Also, they are likely to use their weapons, supplied by the US and Israel, against Israeli forces.
So we have one of the two states of the "two state solution," namely Israel, but where is the second state? At present it is a non-starter, a figment of the imagination of westen liberals. But, we here in Israel have to deal with realities. This should be borne in mind when PM Netanyahu meets Pres. Obama in Washington.
As if that wasn't complex enough, the PA in the West Bank is now tottering on the edge of collapse. Pres. Abbas is still considered the President of the PA, even though his term in office expired last year. He fired former PM Fayyad because Hamas would not accept him, and there were negotiations for a Unity Government going on between Hamas and Fatah in Cairo, in the hope of netting the $4.5 billion put up by the EU, UN and US for reconstruction in Gaza. But, they could not agree, and now Pres. Abbas is intending to re-appoint Fayyad (and the money is in abeyance).
But, not only Hamas opposes Fayyad's re-appointment, but the old timers in Fatah are against him, because he is an independent who doesn't give them jobs. In order to overcome this problem Abbas is threatening to call a meeting of the PLO National Council, that has not been in session for about 18 years. The old guard oppose this and are threatening to start a new intifada against Abbas and bring him down if he does this. However, the young guard in Fatah (not so young, but at least not in their 70s and 80s) support a National meeting of the PLO in order to try to take it over and threaten an intifada if Abbas doesn't convene the Assembly. So at present the PA is paralyzed by internal dissension.
Another cause for contention is the PA Police Force, that is being trained by the US, the UK and the EU, and has taken over control of several PA cities. The American and EU idea is that if the PA has enough trained forces to control the various cities, then the likelihood of a Hamas takeover is reduced. As of now the PA Police only operate during daylight. Most experts agree that not only are the PA Police heavily infiltrated, but that once sight of armed Hamas gunmen are seen on the streets the police will disappear. Also, they are likely to use their weapons, supplied by the US and Israel, against Israeli forces.
So we have one of the two states of the "two state solution," namely Israel, but where is the second state? At present it is a non-starter, a figment of the imagination of westen liberals. But, we here in Israel have to deal with realities. This should be borne in mind when PM Netanyahu meets Pres. Obama in Washington.
posted by Jack Cohen at 11:37 AM
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