It’s time to bury the two-state solution

If there is one thing the recent Israeli election results show us, it is that the overwhelming majority of the Israeli population is sick and tired of the two state solution, that for years, has been forced down our throats. One of the most often quoted lines from the late Albert Einstein is that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. For almost forty years, from the time of the Camp David Accords until today, we have been brainwashed to believe that the only solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict is a two-state solution.

People have bought into this fictitious claim, like the infamous Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels said, “If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it!”

How many thousands of lives have been lost? How many millions of tears have been shed to perpetuate this lie? And when will our leaders have the courage to stand up and denounce this path of folly? What will it take for us to wake up and see that this golden calf that we have prayed to for four decades is just leading us astray?

It’s time for us to step back and reassess our situation. It’s time for us to come to the realization that there are other options out there. It’s time for us to admit that the idea that we must split our country into two for the sake of peace is not only false, but extremely dangerous. It’s time for us to call a spade a spade and unabashedly state that there is no peace partner. This myth has been disproved time and time again. It’s time for us to start looking at other options. We must spend our efforts in finding a long term solution that will solve our problem, instead of just adding to it.

I am not afraid to say it: “There are other options.” Yes, we have many alternatives to the failed two-state solution plan. Let us start researching and discussing those options. Let’s put our efforts into something that will bear fruit instead of more bloodshed.

This process needs to start by recognizing Israel’s rights to Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights and Eastern Jerusalem within the framework of international law. For some reason this concept is one of the best kept secrets in the international community. Many consider it taboo to even discuss the fact that Israel is not an occupying force. That all its lands were acquired in defensive wars and from nations that had no previous claim over the territory. When Jordan illegally occupied its “west bank” in 1948, its offensive grab was not recognized by any country except for Pakistan. Even the Arab league condemned Jordan for this illegal expansion. But most of the world has bought into this propaganda. They accuse Israel of perpetrating crimes which never existed.

The comprehensive Levy Report was a step in the right direction to this end, but was virtually ignored by most policy makers. Once we understand our legal rights, we will have taken a huge step towards changing our mindset and reevaluating this conflict. Israel is the only rightful owner of these lands. Any nation claiming otherwise is manipulating and falsifying the facts. From this just position of strength we can begin to discuss solutions for the conflict with the Arab population within our boundaries and a greater regional understanding.

Until we educate ourselves about our religious, historical, cultural and legal rights to our land, we will be stuck in this inescapable quandary.