A couple weeks back I came out for a two-state solution–the "peace process"–and Saif Ammous, who generally endorses stuff I write, scoffed at me. I have to post our dialogue on the question. Will get to it soon. In the meantime, a point for Saif’s side. Efraim Sneh, the former deputy defense minister whose statement about the urgency of a 2-state solution I found persuasive, at the Israel Policy Forum annual leadership event on 12/3, just wrote something on the Jerusalem Post’s blog to the same effect. It ends with the following ringing declaration:
Last week marked the 60th anniversary of the UN partition plan which
sought to establish two nations in the land of Israel. I would like to mention my father, Moshe Sneh, zihrono li’vraha (May
his memory be blessed) who in 1947 stood at the head of the political
delegation in Europe which lead to the decision. This ruling gave 56% of the land to Israel and 44% to the Palestinians. When we complete the [Annapolis] permanent
agreement, we will hold 78% of the land while the Palestinians will
control 22%.After sixty years, seven wars and two intifadas, the upcoming agreement will be a true Zionist victory.
I find this chilling. This is victory? From a Labor Zionist’s perspective? Is that why all that blood was spilled? Would it be better if the Jews ended up with 80 percent? Sometimes I think that Israel is just a landgrab. Dignified by the Holocaust and the Bible–but a landgrab all the same, with racist overtones. I’m still for the peace process. But outside parties must govern it. And both brutalized sides must be gotten out of their narrow, wounded ways of thinking…
