The two states created, Israel and Palestine, will be side by side, and will probably maintain the hatred that many Muslims and Jews feel for each other. The conception of a Palestinian state usually includes the proviso that the Palestinian state should have limited armed capability so that it could not attack Israel. If a divorced couple were forced to live in the same house side by side the hate which led to the divorce would probably be preserved.

However, the hate is not pervasive nor is it necessarily permanent. Jews have lived and prospered in the Arab world. The great Jewish philosopher, Moses Maimonides, thrived in the Muslim world after escaping Almohad persecution in Muslim Spain. In spite of great persecutions in the Christian world Jews have also lived and prospered there. The great Jewish scientist, Albert Einstein, thrived in the Christian world after escaping Nazi persecution.

The solution is for Israel to become a democratic state. A democratic state must have equality in law among its citizens. Any state based on a particular religion or ethnicity cannot also be democratic. The definition of democracy has changed through history. Ancient Athens which excluded women, slaves and foreigners (a foreigner in Athenian terms might be one whose family had lived in Athens for generations but whose ancestors had a non-Athenian origin) from the vote was not a democracy in modern terms. A democratic state cannot allow slavery as the US did before the Civil War. A democratic state must have separation of religion and state. It must not favour or denigrate any religion or the sect of any religion that follows the law. A democratic state must have a public school system which does not separate students by ideology, race or religion. While US schools were segregated by race the US was not a democratic country by current standards. Students in a democratic, integrated school system can grow up together, learn together and discuss their differences. When they reach adulthood they can work together and marry each other.

Dear David F.,

Thank you for introducing this topic.

But before we can start discussing whether or not a given action can constitute a solution, wouldn't it be useful to first define the problem?

Dear David F.,

If both sides would support one democratic state and
if they could think about the principles which would put
the focus on human and civil rights that would be a
step towards the solution that they could adopt to
the 21st century.

Definitely a new thinking is needed. They should aim to
create one democratic state and a decolonisation process
in Palestine. But as Israeli historian Ilan Pappe points
out - "This isn't going to happen tomorrow."

"It's a very difficult road giving the American support for
Israel and the American ideology, coupled with the Arab
world's disunity and the disunity in the Palestinian camp."

Pappe says:

"This means it will be a very long period before it can be
achieved. However, it's much better to go on a long road
knowing this is the end game than going on the short road
- as we did in Oslo that looked like a two-state solution
but ended up with more occupation, more oppression and
suffering of the Palestinian people."

Prof. Pappe says:

"It would be great if there was a new Palestinian initiative
that would not only represent the Palestinians in the West Bank
and Gaza but the wider Palestinian community around the world.
If they would support one democratic state in all of Palestine."

David f

Wearing Muslim religious tribal clothes to school, and Israelie Jewish religious clothes to school,hardly promotes unity, it immediately signals tribal affinities, differences and divided loyalties.
Yes religions are tribal bloodlines when they don't marry outside of their religious group

The Israelies were very relaxed about Palestinians coming into Israel to live and work,when they were given an assylum area of land (escaping Germany after being displaced from WW 2) in a desert, barren area of Palestine.

As the Israelies did in Germany, they worked hard, and turned the desert area they had been given into a beautiful well run, and organised oasis state.
The Badly run, by Islamist extremists terrorists, Palestinians, looked with envy at the hospitals and beautiful shops, children's play areas and decided that the Israelis state actually belonged to them.

Incidentally, all the children's playgrounds in Israel today have big thick bomb shelter roofing over them, same for shopping centres and other areas.
The Arabs have been attacking Israel since the 1950's, 1960s.

Dear Foxy,

If there had been a democratic state in Australia from the beginning we wouldn't have to worry about an Aboriginal voice or a recognition of an Aboriginal entity. What happened in Australia was that the English came in with overwhelming force, subjugated the Aborigines, forced their religion and culture on them and established a political entity in which the rights of those who survived were limited.

What happened in Israel was that Jews backed by the US and Russia were able to defeat the Arab powers backed by England and France and subjugate those Palestinians who stayed. The subjugation was less overwhelming than that of the British in Australia, and the Palestinians who remained in the new state of Israel became a resentful minority.

The Aborigines who live in Australia are claiming a recognition of the history that led to the present situation.

Both the English and the Jews claimed the backing of their version of the Bible. The English claimed their version of the Bible gave them the right and duty to force their religion on others. The Jews claimed their version of the Bible was a deed to the land given them by God.

George Gershwin said it in song, "The things that you're liable to read in the Bible. It ain't necessarily so."

Dear David F.,

Thank You for this discussion and for explaining things
so well.

I'm unable to travel due to mobility issues but it has
always been my dream to visit Israel. I
have many friends and colleagues there. Instead I do "virtual
tours." My younger brother and his wife went there a few
years ago and told us how beautiful it was.

Therefore my heart cries out that a 21st century solution
can be found and supported by both sides one which puts a focus
on human and civil rights. I hope that I shall live to see
that happen.