Problems and prospects of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

There has been a conflict between Israel and Palestine for the duration that the Israel state has been in existence.

The UN in 1947 split the British-mandated Palestine into the two states creating an Arab state and Jewish state (Drummond, 2004. p. 11). Israel thus came into being. However what would have been an Arab state never took root due to lack of organization amid the Arabs in Palestine and the self interests of its surrounding Arab neighbors (Drummond 2004, p.

12).Even as the Jews believed in the legitimacy of their occupation of the new state, the Arabs believed that the new Jewish state was not legitimate and was theirs by right (Kerr 1975, p. 5). The relationship has been plagued by conflict and disagreements since then.

The creation of the two states led to misplacement of Palestinians many of who became refugees (Drummond 2004, p. 48). There has been much effort to bring peace to the Middle East especially to end the conflict between the two states.In 2003 a new program was initiated by Israel and offered by the US administration in collaboration with Russia, the United Nations and European Union (BBC, 2010). It is basically a plan called a road map to guide the two states towards peace.

The roadmap has bee modified severally since then but despite that, it has not been totally embraced by the two states or fully implemented. The roadmap has several stages, targets set timelines and centers on key issues. These issues of concerns are mainly humanitarian, security, economic and political realities of the two states (BBC, 2010). Spatial and non-spatial benefits of a two state solutionAn end to the conflict between the two states is desirable to many because of the prospects it offers for the two states as well as in the Middle East and the world. The first indication of likelihood of creating a two state settlement is that both parties are receptive to peace agreements and end to the conflict (Morris, 2009, p. 163).

The Palestinians especially those in Israel territory complain of ethnic discrimination and segregation. They also complain of socio-political mistreatment and legal hurdles for their activities with continued suspicion and treatment as second rate citizens (Morris, 2009, p. 70). Palestinians also cite military aggression, detention and torture. They are prone to be subjected to rampant road check limiting their movements (BBC, 2010).

Palestinians arrested by Israel complain of brutality and torture. The Palestinians experience considerable dispossessions, control system for possession and development of civic land and planning that controls advancement and use of land thus limiting their activities (Morris, 2009, p. 173). These measures have economical, physical and social impact on Palestinian territories and depict abuse of Palestinian rights.A creation of two states seems the best option for Palestine to secure self governance (Kerr, 1975, p. 110).

Both parties also see an end to the conflict as the opportunity to create genuine ability to effect viable governance that will promote the wellbeing of each state. The creation of two states has been seen as the only chance for lasting peace between the two states. Both sides have seen the effects of the conflict on their lives. For Israel, there have been terrorist attacks from Palestine and violence. For Palestine there have been economic, humanitarian and political sufferings (Morris, 2009, p. 17).

The Palestinians suffer disruption of their livelihood, social activities and poor living conditions. Given a chance for self governance, the states would be able to prioritize their needs and address them according to the wishes of the masses through legitimate democracy. A two state settlement would also settle the land issue once and for all. This will grant Jewish and Palestinian people rights to their land which they both greatly desire.

Both states would take control over whatever land they have and begin utilizing the resources. Each can make decisions about its affairs and determine the course of its future.A two state settlement has also been viewed as Palestine’s chance to establish administrative, judicial and economic reforms for maximum prosperity and democratic governance with a new constitution (BBC, 2010). A two state settlement would also ensure that Israel increases Palestinian revenues by releasing assets in its control. Israel would also free up Palestinian institutions thus improve Palestinian trade (BBC, 2010).

A point of conflict between the two states has due to strain for religious freedom and practice. Both parties long for the opportunity to fully live their faith.The different culture, language and faith can be fully practiced and observed if the two are individual states (Drummond, 2004, p. 69). The religious interests of the various groups Muslims, Christians and Jews would be protected.

Freedom of religion has the prospect of minimizing conflict between the West and the Muslim world (Kerr, 1975, p. 312). Another reason for desire of a two state settlement is to protect the relationship between the two states. Israel governance creates tension because it has a lot of power while it is a minority in the area.Living as one state will create more tension among the majority Palestinians and lead to civil unrest. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulted in acts of violence punctuated by ceasefires.

Many see the resolve of this continuous buildup of conflict as the gate way to internal peace (Drummond 2009, p. 27). Israel is uncomfortable with the establishment of a one state and favors two state establishments. This is because if its sovereignty were dissolved the Israeli state would no longer exist not just for the current citizens but for all Jewish people in the world.Israel would lose itself in the heavily Arab populated single state that would remain (Debate, 2010). A two state establishment also gives best chance for Arab nations to formally recognize Israel and relate with it in a respectful and mutually beneficial manner.

Palestine favors a two state establishment since it would guarantee Israel stop settlement. Despite agreements Israel continued with settlements increasing occupation in West Bank and Gaza. The establishment would also end deportations and destruction of Palestinian properties and infrastructure (Drummond, 2004, p. 27).Palestine would also experience more movement and people including international aid.

Trade and economy would be greatly improved (Morris, 2009, p. 170). Problems of a two state solution Having been in existence in a mingled state, the process of separating the two peoples would be difficult. Many have grown up in the cities and it would be hard to ask various groups to relocate thus destroying their heritage and experiences (Morris, 2009, p. 171). A two-state settlement would grant Palestinians within Israel by 1967 national rights.

But in the process, Palestinians living in Israel before 1948 would loose the same rights (Morris, 2009, p. 73). This seems unjust and unacceptable to the Arabs. Such a settlement would also eliminate a right of return to the Palestinian refugees. An agreement to the creation of two states would see Israel lose some areas of historical significance like Judea. By giving up these areas, the whole point of protecting their heritage would be lost too (Debate, 2010).

A two-state solution is viewed as problematic since it would undermine Palestinians who continue to live within the Israeli state by catering to the needs and rights of the Jewish people.From past experience, the Palestinian administration has not proven that it can be trusted to cease terrorist attacks on Israel. The Gaza strip has been used by Palestine to launch attacks on Israel. Sharing a border and having Palestine at close proximity with Israel would seem to increase Israel insecurity. In addition, having two states exposes Israel security in its most narrow areas.

One of the areas that provide Israel with security is the West Bank Mountains (Debate, 2010). If Israel lost these, it would increase its vulnerability.Another key consequence of creating two states is that Israel would have to withdraw from its settlements (Debate, 2010). This is one compromise which Israel does not favor.

The Jewish people who have settled in the land would not be able to relocate to the various parts of the world they have come from. It would create new refugees. In the current state of affairs, Palestinians do not offer a united front. Even the Arab nations do not offer support to Palestine that would ensure its prosperity (Drummond, 2004, p.

225).This casts serious doubts as to the stability of Palestine should it be a self governing state. There is concern that granting Palestine full governance would lead to its exploitation by other Arab nations. Iran is viewed as having a desire to be dominant in Middle East (Drummond, 2004, p.

225). The Middle East does not seem interested in Palestinian sovereignty and is much more opposed to Israel’s sovereignty and in a two state settlement, Syria and Lebanon would be a concern for Israel with regards to security (Drummond, 2004, p. 226). Conflict between Israel and Palestine goes deeper than conflict over land.It is a search for singular possession of what both sides view as their rightly entitled land (Drummond, 2004, p.

224). If the solution does not resolve the historical aspect, no matter how the land is allocated, it does not guarantee peace. Thus creating two states with borders can not guarantee a solution to the conflict. There exists unwillingness among the Palestinian to acceptance Israel and that needs to be resolved first (Debate, 2010). A challenge for creation of two states is also found in the lack of commitment by Palestinian leaders to denounce terrorism (Debate, 2010).

The leaders seem to perpetuate a mentality that terrorism is as a result of Israel doing due to socioeconomic hardship it puts Palestinians under. Continued threats against Israel for these perceived evils make it hard for Israel to feel safe in the establishment of two states. Misuse of funds and flow of finances make serious threats to security between the two states (Debate, 2010). Another difficulty is the Palestinians refugees’ insistence on repatriation rather than the conventional settlement methods of refugees.The right of return makes it hard to address the urgent needs of the Palestinian refugees (Debate, 2010). Conclusion There has been much effort to bring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a thing of the past.

Both one state and two state advocates realize that each is difficult to implement and none can guarantee total satisfaction. It is in dialogue and compromise that true peace can be achieved and with it progress in the two states. Peace between the two states will increase peace in the Middle East and internationally.