Israel is in a cul-de-sac spiritually. Ari Shavit, who is quoted as a sage in Lawrence Wright’s New Yorker piece on Gaza (still have to get to that), shows his obtuseness in this visionary piece on an idea for the Palestinian future:
[Kadima party leader] Shaul Mofaz … was hard at work. With the help of a small group of experts and the cooperation of many research institutes, the former defense minister analyzed the strategic situation thoroughly and sought a way out. He looked for a new organizing principle that could jump-start a rational diplomatic process that was not divorced from reality. The result is an original and creative diplomatic program that he intends to present in a few days. A plan that will challenge Netanyahu, Barak, Livni and the entire political establishment.
Mofaz’s basic assumptions are those of Sharon: On one hand, at this point in time, there is little chance of reaching a final-status agreement. On the other hand, Israel must urgently effect a change that will produce a two-state solution. The way to do this is via an interim solution – an agreement that will create a Palestinian state in two years in about 60 percent of the territory of the West Bank…. it is the most serious and practical plan any Israeli leader has prepared in years.
