Joe Biden has come and gone in Israel with little to show for it. But he has, however, left some debris in his wake that will set the stage for Israel’s coming election.
While he reaffirmed his support for the Two-State Solution (TSS), he went on to say “the ground is not right at this moment to restart negotiations,” and: “The two-state solution is still the best way to ensure peace and democracy for Israelis and Palestinians; however, I don’t see a near horizon for this solution.”
Both Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz share that view. Lapid said: ”A two-state solution is a guarantee for a strong, democratic State of Israel with a Jewish majority.”
Meanwhile, Gantz expanded upon this recently with many striking comments at the Aspen Conference in the US. He began by saying: “I think the Abraham Accords can today help strengthen the Palestinian Authority, and build a reality of separation and two entities.”
He continued by stating that “I see this as a Zionist matter and Israel must be a safe, democratic and Jewish state.”
He then made the shocking statement that he was “Happy that I blocked the threat of annexation of Judea and Samaria.” What??
I think he was referring to his practice as Minister of Defense of enabling illegal Arab construction in Area C. As if that weren’t enough, he offered “gestures” which went far further than even the legalization of such construction:
– Approval of the registration of 5,500 stateless persons in the Palestinian Population Registry, in addition to the 12,000 already approved.
– Approval of six master plans for Palestinians in Judea and Samaria – Confirmation of validity in Hizma, Hermela; Permission to settle in Paciks, Hares, Kisan and Tir.
– Increasing the quota of workers from the Gaza Strip who are allowed to enter labor and trade in Israel by an additional 1,500, to a total quota of 15,500.
– Opening of a new crossing – “Salem” – in northern Judea and Samaria, a mounted crossing for the purpose of the entry of Israeli Arabs into the city of Jenin.
Gantz is actively supporting the Fayyad Plan, which the EU is financing and backing politically. The Plan is designed to illegally take over Area C in violation of the Oslo Accords, and so far it is succeeding.
Thus both Lapid and Gantz agree that the Palestinians must be separated from Israel in order for Israel to remain a democratic state with a Jewish majority. Neither of them, however, made even the slightest mention of claiming sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, our biblical heartland. Indeed, their combined silence on this issue clearly demonstrates their complete disinterest in doing so.
Despite this goal of ceding the land to the Arabs, Gantz persists in describing it as a “Zionist matter.” The prospect of this policy is terribly reminiscent of Herzl’s misguided acceptance of the British Uganda Proposal tabled at the Zionist Congress in 1903.
Jewish Virtual Library records:
While Herzl made it clear that this program would not affect the ultimate aim of Zionism, a Jewish entity in the Land of Israel, the proposal aroused a storm at the Congress and nearly led to a split in the Zionist movement. The Jewish Territorialist Organization (ITO) was formed as a result of the unification of various groups who had supported Herzl’s Uganda proposals during the period 1903-1905.
That split remains today.
In fact, the Left in Israel supported Moshe Dayan’s actions in turning over the Temple Mount to the Arabs after conquering Jerusalem in 1967 for two reasons. The first was that they didn’t want to start a holy war with Islam, which Dayan said would be the result of keeping it, and the second was because they wanted to undermine the role of the Jewish religion in Israel.
After the War of Independence, Israel extended sovereignty over all land conquered beyond the partition lines, pursuant to a law that became known as Ben Gurion’s Law. Unfortunately, she declined to do so over all lands conquered in the ’67 War. The reason it wasn’t done is because the Leftist government didn’t want to contend with the Arabs living in said lands, and didn’t look upon it as our biblical heartland. As a result, UNSC Resolution 242 was passed.
Today, the Center/Left supports ridding Israel of Judea and Samaria for the same reason. They prefer Israel to be a state of all its citizens, rather than the nation state of the Jews.
In summary, the Left wants to diminish the role of religion in Israel, and they want to separate from the Palestinians.
Israel’s troubles started in earnest with the signing of the Oslo Accords (1993 and 1995), which was negotiated and approved by the Center/Left Government with a one-seat majority. The worst part of the Oslo Accords was that Israel was required to invite Arafat and 50,000 of his fellow terrorists into Israel. They became the bane of Israel’s existence.
The second colossal mistake was disengaging from Gaza in 2005. That action was also promoted by the Center/Left. As a result, we have been subjected to four inconclusive wars with Gaza.
In 2005, in the lead-up to the disengagement, Olmert said at the Israel Policy Forum, “We are tired of fighting. We are tired of being courageous. We are tired of winning. We are tired of defeating our enemies.”
Within a year, he became Prime Minister and said: “We want them to be our friends, our partners, our good neighbors. And I believe that is not impossible.” And: “Peace is achieved through concessions. We all know that.” Do we? What about “peace through strength”?
Does he still believe “it’s not impossible”? Do Gantz and Lapid believe that?
Why does the Center/Left still promote the TSS? Why do they refuse to learn from the past? Why do they ignore that the Charters of both the PLO and Hamas call for the destruction of the State of Israel? Surely they know that the TSS is a fantasy and will never come to be.
Caroline Glick in 2014 published The Israeli Solution: A One-State Plan for Peace in the Middle East. In it, she proposed that Israel annex all the land west of the Jordan River with the exception of Gaza, and offered a path to citizenship to the Arabs.
This was more palatable to the Right, as it kept Judea and Samaria for Israel without endangering the Jewish majority. But the Center/Left rejected it, because they wanted separation from the Palestinians.
In July 2022, Al Arabiya, a Saudi news outlet, published The Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine by Ali Shihabi.
This proposed enlarged kingdom would include present-day Jordan, Gaza, and the West Bank (areas populated by Palestinians attached in a contiguous manner and physically connected to Jordan.
This was a far cry from the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative of the Arab League led by Saudi Arabia.
No doubt Gantz and Lapid would love it. If there were no alternative, some on the right in Israel might also find it better than the status quo.
But there is an alternative known as the Jordan Option, which will soon become operational.
It incorporates the same rational as does Ali Shahabi’s plan, but differs from it in two key respects: namely where the Western border will be, and whether the new entity is a kingdom or a republic.
The Jordan Option requires Jordan to be a republic, with the Jordan River as its western border.
My article How the Jordan Option will impact Israel explains it in detail.
Both the Left and Right in Israel will love it, and so will the Palestinians, for the most part.
I predict that the Right will promote the Jordan Option during the coming election. Consequently, the resulting contest between the TSS fantasy and the Jordan Option will present the voters with a clear opportunity to choose whether they should continue to tie their fate to the failures of the past, one more time, or to pursue this new option, the Jordan Option, with the new Jordanian Republic.
As a result, the Right will win a strong majority of seats and an earnest path towards peace for the Arabs and the Jews alike.
Infidel says
So do Lapid and Gantz envisage a scenario where all Arab muslims currently citizens of Israel would leave Israel for ‘Palestine’? B’cos that’s the only scenario were you have a strong, democratic and Jewish majority Israel. Otherwise, you have what you have now, except that ‘Palestine’ will be free to buy weapons from countries like Iran, Turkey and Russia. Although today, Russia might want those Palis to come to the Donbass to help in their war effort
mortimer says
‘Judea’ is literally ‘the land of the Jews’.
mortimer says
There are obviously two states already created from Mandatory Palestine (apparently the idea of Winston Churchill). There is the Kingdom of Jordan (formerly, the Emirate of Trans-Jordan) and there is the Jewish homeland. Simple. Don’t complicate it.
BexarKat says
I am afraid it is complicated beyond repair. The Arab population will continue to grow and by no later than the beginning of the 22nd Century C.E. the Jewish State will lose its Jewish majority and soon will lose its Jewish identity and afterward, will lose its name. There is no timetable in Islam and a hundred years means nothing.
Bikinis not Burkas says
100% correct but the world is putting their fingers in their ears and going la,la,la.
The World is in a love affair with Islam!
gravenimage says
True, Mortimer.
Kesselman says
No deliverance of any part of the Jewish heartland!
The arguments presented aren’t substantial in any way. If a hand-over should occur it’s just emboldening Arab demands for further accessions to land or entities they don’t have any affiliation with. Thus talk of ”democracy” and peaceful co-existence between the two peoples when Judea and Samaria are outsourced is a pipedream dreamt up by left wings.—What do you think the next big chunk of land could be?
Larry Culp says
” shalom”, GOD IS Laughing at the corrupt Israelites! They say , Peace Peace, but there is no peace”, and Peace and Safety!, but sudden destruction iwill soon come upon the wicked Isrealites
Westman says
Is this from someone Culp-able of violence toward Israel? Hate Much? A God isn’t laughing at anyone if that God is moral. The one you describe might be named Loki?
From observation, Peace happens when all the kids have moved out and the pets have expired from old age.
Jesus, Islam’s Isa, said there would always be war and rumors of wars. Been right for several thousand years.
gravenimage says
Wait–you consider the civilized Israelis “wicked” for not wanting to be destroyed by Jihad terrorists? Why?
BexarKat says
Intransigent Palestinians are becoming more militarized. I believe no matter what Abbas proposes his failures of creating a Palestinian state will lead to a Hamas victory in the territories. Hamas will never negotiate an end to conflict and will certainly not surrender the Old City to the Israelis as part of a settlement, as that is their starting point.
I see no hope for a two-state solution. Abdullah is afraid of a Palestinian majority who will certainly overthrow his monarchy for a theocracy.
And yet, the status quo can no longer remain unmolested.
Westman says
Whatever solution is ultimately reached it will depend upon acceptance by what the author calls, “center/left”, because they are the backbone of the Israeli military.
“.. they [the left] wanted to undermine the role of the Jewish religion in Israel.” Why would the Left wish to undermine the (political) role of religion in Israel? Because the orthodox religious right will not serve in the military to accomplish or protect the things it politically demands. Many literally have representation without taxation or military service.
No solution will be effective if it continues to allow a large segment of the population to both be supported and free of military service. Given enough time it will erode Israel into non-existence. If you want to be successful, with any peace plan, the Othodox Right must assume responsibility for themselves and the nation’s defense.
Walter Sieruk says
Pseudo “President” Biden had revealed his total lack of wisdom about the State of Israel when he said that “We still need a two-state solution. It is the only answer.” Biden had by saying that fool statement has shown what an ignorant man he actually is.
Joe Biden sure is the divider and chief and not just when comes to him dividing the American people into different political and social “camp.” For even on the international foreign level Biden is that awful divider’
For Biden backs and supports the awful scheme to divide the State of Israel into two. Meaning the so called “two state solution” is not really a valid idea and not a genuine solution. It will definitely not stop this awful Israeli –Muslim land conflict.
Thus a “two state solution” is out of the question. This is actually just right and fine .This is because a “two state solution” not really a “solution” but an Islamic ploy of deception , a smokescreen and hoax and a fraud.
For example those recent Hamas rocket attacks in to Israel from Gaza reveals that even the idea of some people of dividing Jerusalem as well as other parts of the State of Israel between the Jewish people of the Muslim/ Arabs is nothing but folly. To engage the madness of such “talks” is a hoax and a farce .
This is because in the so called “negotiations” between the heads of the Jewish nation of Israel and the leaders of the “Palestinians” the Muslim /Arabs the “Palestinian” leaders will speak the truth only when in happens to fit their agenda. The rest of the time the will be speaking half-truths and outright lies. For their goal is to obtain all of the land of the State of Israel. Even in it takes much time and it means getting the land piece by piece. So those “peace talks” are a hoax.
For the “Palestinian” leaders are employing what is the Islamic doctrine of Taqiyya . Which is the Islamic dogma that lying and deception are good things to do as long as it’s done for the cause of the advancement of Islam. The insidious scheme is part of the stealth jihad .Otherwise known as “Islamic Gradualism.”
This sly and something subtle strategy of disingenuous speech, lying deception of achieving the goal of all the land of Israel a war ploy that will be a disaster if the heads of the State of Israel are foolish enough to agree to divide the land of Israel with Muslim /Arabs ,the “Palestinians.” For if such a “peace dialogue” results in a divided land, the outcome will literally be murder. For “Palestinian” leader will allow the jihadists use that land as a base to launch murderous rocket attacks in to Israel. As for example, Hamas of Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Such false hopes for peace which are based on the foundation of lies are nothing new when it comes to Israel. For example, the Bible in Psalm 55:20, 21. Reads “Such men do violence to those at peace with them and break their promised word; their speech is smoother the butter but their thoughts are of war.” [N.E.B.]
James Lincoln says
Walter Sieruk says,
“For their goal is to obtain all of the land of the State of Israel. Even in it takes much time and it means getting the land piece by piece. So those “peace talks” are a hoax.”
Very true, Walter.
Perhaps they may be more appropriately called PIECE talks.
Walter Sieruk says
Jesus taught “”If a kingdom is divided against itself.that kingdom cannot stand ; if a household is divided against, that house cannot stand…” Mark 3:25. [N.E.B.]
gravenimage says
Two-State Solution or Jordan Option? Your Choice.
…………………………………………
Fatah has openly said that they consider the “two-state solution” just a stepping stone for the full destruction of Israel.
Ted Belman says
Please familiarize yourself with what the Jordan Option is all about. Go to the last link in the article to read about what it entails.
Voters in Israel will be given the choice between the TSS in which they give away most of Judea and Samaria and the JO in which they keep it.
gravenimage says
Dear Mr. Belman, I truly wish the Jordan Option were an option–but I sadly doubt it. Anti-Jihadists Caroline Glick and the Elder of Ziyon consider Mudar Zahran a fraud, and note that this plan has no backing in Jordan.
Zahran doesn’t even live in Jordan; he lives in London. I think he’d like ruling Jordan, though, if the West were willing to install him. I doubt this would be very popular, though…
And most “Palestinians” *hate* this plan, because it would mark an end to their sucking up foreign aid and their fevered dreams of destroying Israel.
I fervently wish there was a viable option that would lead to a fully democratic Jordan and a real future for Palestinian Muslims that didn’t involve constant plots to murder Jews–I’m just not sure one exists.
vevaios says
I think this is a very important conversation which is well past due being discussed, as Defense Minister Gantz is making enormous moves to revive the TSS, a ‘plan’ which has always failed to secure peace and has always led to war after every attempt made to pursue it.
Among the false presumptions upon which the TSS is based and which undermines any possible success resulting from it, is the notion that a terrorist entity should be granted the stature and respectability of being an earnest partner in peace. In point of fact, if there are confidence measures to be expected, they should be expected from, not granted to, the terrorist entity of Fatah, who instead expect gifts to assure their appearance, rather than their support, at the resulting negotiations. As the ridiculous offers made by the Israelis have been turned down time and again by the now titled “Palestinian Authority”, they have neither any interest in a just peace with Israel, nor any interest in just a piece of Israel. They intend to take it all, and they have never so much as changed their own charter which states their position on Israel quite clearly.
Regarding the potential opportunity presented by the Jordan Option (JO), it appears to be a very interesting proposition. It provides for the construction of a city, and the development of an economy in Jordan, to house and sustain the Palestinians who will choose to leave the Palestinian territories and emigrate to Jordan where they will receive jobs and free housing and what social necessities they require. Their education will be provided by the Jordanian government and UNWRA will finally be closed. Jordan will be lead by Mudar Zahran, a man who has always spoken of a desire of obtaining peace with the Israelis who he has always described as his brothers. He is not a terrorist and has never advocated for violence, rather quite the contrary is true. He recognizes that the instability injected by the unsustainable TSS as well as the leaders of the PA who he has stated clearly are responsible for the constant murder and subjugation of the Palestinian people. He is committed to become a future signatory of the Abraham Accords, and as such, he will pursue the establishment of an interdependent economy with Israel, which will present an added layer of stability between the two peoples and the two nations and the peace created between them.
Under the JO, the people emigrating to Jordan will do so of their own accord, and many will follow the offer of the social benefits of welfare, free healthcare and free education. Word of mouth of the life that they encounter will help encourage others to translocate as well. This will deplete the numbers of warring Palestinians available in the territories to make war against Israel, and this by itself will help advantage a more peaceable relationship between the Arabs remaining and their Jewish neighbors. With the change of management, those who violate the law or the peace, will be faced with the prospect of being deported to Jordan to stand trial under Jordanian law, to face Jordanian punishment for their violations. All of this will further add to encouraging a peaceful state of affairs. And the blood money paid to those who do carryout the murder of Israelis will be ended.
As I say, a very interesting plan with a very intriguing potential for achieving a long desired peace. It offers important benefits to both sides while obviating any continued pretense at pursuing the “peace process” of the TSS which has always lead to war.
As choices go in life, this one seems to be an easy one to consider.