Possibility of a Two-State Solution recedes

Pres. Obama appeared downbeat about a two-state solution being achieved between Israel and Palestinians from comments made by him the other day. See the AFP report here.

Professor Juan Cole, in his must-read blog, Informed Comment, reflects on the implications of no progress in achieving a Middle East solution:

"Obama may well be right. But note the implications of no progress between Israel and the Palestinians on political settlement of their dispute:

1. Iran– the primary rejectionist state in the region, will grow in power and popularity in the Middle East

2. Anger in the Arab world toward Israel and the US will grow in intensity

3. Israeli policy toward East Jerusalem could itself be the cause for a war. Jerusalem is sacred to Muslims and Christians as well as to Jews.

4. Israel’s status as a de facto Apartheid state will be made permanent and the boycott movement will grow, ultimately affecting the Israeli economy

5. The two-state solution is dead as a doornail, and Israel will either have to give the Palestinians citizenship, or face a long and bitter struggle by the Palestinians to make their state in the teeth of Israeli opposition."

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