Overlooking the fact that a two state solution carved the British Mandate of Palestine into a Jewish state of Israel and an Arab state of Transjordan , the world is looking hopefully at the "Roadmap" path to peace which will split Israel into a Jewish state and an Arab state. (Islamic state)
Such a solution does not fit with the understanding of a Bible believing Jew or Christian ( see Land ) but the situation on the ground is not that simple. ( see also Biblical Christian Zionism )
The following perspective comes from a feature by Ari and Shira Sorko-Ram.
The majority of Israelis have resigned themselves to a Palestinian state because of political and demographic features of the area.
Israel is a democratic state of five million Jews and one million Israeli Arabs. All Israeli citizens have equal democratic rights. The Palestinian population of Gaza and the "West Bank" is 3.4 million , and is rising at the highest rate in the world. This contrasts to a generally western approach to having children among the less religious Jews of Israel and the unwillingness of the Jews still living in more comfortable nations to make aliyah.
If Israel were to integrate these 3.4 million Arabs/Muslims and give them the vote, Israel would almost immediately become an Islamic state. The Palestinian leadership is not seeking to annihilate Israel only by military methods; using Israel's democracy against it would be equally acceptable. This is the reason why Arafat was so insistent in pursuing his spurious claim of the "Right of Return" of seven million Palestinians who are claimed to be descendants of refugees from Israel.
Refugees
The whole issue of Palestinian Refugees and the "Refugee Camps" is an important and emotive issue. For some facts on refugees, visit www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/refugees.html
Interestingly, Yasser Arafat never accepted a two state solution, even when one was offered. He initiated the "Intifada" after being offered a two state solution. The man almost certain to take over is campaigning on his faithfulness to the doctrines of his former master, Arafat.
One would not pick this up from media accounts, but Bush and Blair have three principles for this Palestinian state.
| 1 | It must be democratic | ||
| 2 | Israel will withdraw from part (not all) of the West Bank | ||
| 3 | Israel will remain a Jewish state |
Democracy will be incredibly difficult to achieve, even if one assumes the people want it. Palestinian negotiators do not have a record of accepting anything less than their full demands. Israel remaining a Jewish state means the Palestinians abandoning their claim of a "Right of Return". See also Quotes for an insight into Palestinian policy.
President Bush has said to the Palestinians, "If you want to be helped, here's what we're willing to do. If you choose not to be helped, if you decide you don't want a free, democratic society, there's nothing we can do."
The two state solution may be the only solution which man can produce, but it is not what the Bible foresees; except perhaps as a solution which the Antichrist manages to implement. The western world might be pleased to buy a peace with Islamic terrorists by giving away Israel's land, but judgment for dividing God's land must surely follow.
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