The Palestinian Future -- One State or Two

It's amazing how a nonsensical idea can gain traction if someone thinks it can be used to their benefit.  That's never been more true than the one-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Consider, first, the two-state solution and why it is unlikely to become a reality.  Laying the cards on the table, we see that the major centers of the Palestinian people are in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jordan.  Gaza residents chose Hamas over Fatah, not so much because they were Islamists, although many were, but because Fatah was seen as being corrupt.  The Islamists now in power have one goal; namely, to eliminate Israel, and for this purpose the Iranians are funding Gaza's purchase of weapons.  One way, or another, Israel must, sooner or later, end the rockets and the sniper fire on Israeli citizens coming out of Gaza.

Then there's Jordan with its very large population of Palestinians, i.e. most Jordanians are Palestinians.  But, the Palestinians find it convenient to keep this reality from becoming too overt.  People might begin suggesting either that Jordan and the West Bank merge and become one, or ask themselves why they should focus on the West Bank when the Palestinians already possess Jordan?  This wouldn't play well for Abbas and the other current leaders in the West Bank.

The current struggle to create a Palestinian nation is the entire reason de etra for successive Palestinian leaders.  It's their basis for seeking outside funding.  It's why Palestinian leaders including Abbas have turned down the many offers made by various Israeli leaders for peace.  Indeed, it's something that has escaped our supposedly brilliant ex-past prime ministers; most notably, Ehud Olmert.  (Talk about someone wanting to give away the store!)

Does this mean the only option left is to a one-state solution?  If West Bank Palestinians want to live in limbo, or some self created purgatory, that's their business.  Any number of intermediate arrangements are possible.  Consider Puerto Rico.  The U.S. has offered them (1) their independence, or (2) statehood as a part of the U.S. or, (3) the commonwealth status they currently hold.  Their preference: commonwealth.  The exact same offer need not be made to the West Bank Palestinians. But,  it does show that a number of options exist beyond the choice of one state or two.

Two other points deserve mention; namely, if there is no unity between Gaza and the West Bank, what, exactly, are we talking about?  And, finally, if the Palestinians remain frustrated in their ambitions won't they turn to violence?  But isn't that what Gaza has already done? Their frustration, however, is over the fact that  they hadn't yet managed to destroy Israel.  As to the West bank, they too already tried violence.  It was called Intifada 1 and Intifada 2.  And, while it did harm Israelis, it did far greater harm to the Palestinians.

Despite their frustration over the continuing existence of a State of Israel, what the Palestinians do is up to the Palestinians.  If they want violence, they can have it.  However, the alternatives available to them seem a lot more attractive.  In any event, a single Israeli-Palestinian state is simply not an options.