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Introduction

The only political plan for peace in the Middle East that I ever hear about is the 'Two State Solution'.  Neither of the current supposed two states supports this idea at present, so it's not going to happen any time soon.

And it is not going to happen any time soon for another obvious reason: the Palestinian territory, however you define it, is split into two parts, and these two parts are ruled by two groups which are in deadly conflict with each other (the Fatah–Hamas conflict).  We don't have two states at war with each other - we have three states, each of which wishes to destroy the government and/or the people of the other two.

Of these three, only Israel has the ability to change the status quo in any meaningful and possibly productive way.  Hardly anybody trusts the Israelis to do this, but as Holmes nearly said: once you have ruled out the impossible political options, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the way forward.

The only possible route to peace in the Middle East that I can see is the 'one state - three state - two state' solution.

One state: with the backing of the UN, Israel takes formal responsibility for the whole territory - 'from the river to the sea'.  Their job is to establish two semi-autonomous regions - the West Bank and Gaza - within five years, and give them both full autonomy within ten years.

Three states: the only condition to be imposed on these three states is that all three must accept the right of the other two to exist as self-governing states, so any violent action by any of its citizens against either of the other two states will be criminal and punished accordingly.  Some form of UN presence will be required in all three states to verify compliance, for as long as is needed.

Two states: if both the Palestinian states choose to unite at some future date, they will be free to do so.

Obviously, many people will object, and there will be many practical difficulties to overcome, but is there really any alternative?