An interesting article in the Nation re the middle east by Henry Siegman.
This article states that many Israeli political analysts believe that the settlements have become so widespread and so deeply implanted in the West Bank as to rule out the possibility of their remova by thi8s or any future Israeli government unless compelled to do so by international intervention.
Furthermore he states this reality on the ground no longer allows Israel to be considered a democracy and compares the reality to be not much different than South African Apartheid. This by the way is the view of some Israeli leaders including former Prime Minister Olmert. If perhaps "apartheid' is too strong or word (or too narrowly defined per the South African experience, it is fair to say that the Israeli system disenfranchises its Gaza and West Bank populations based on ethnic and religious identify. Democracy in Israel is reserved for its privileged Jewish citizens and denied to the Arab populations.
The gist of the article, however, says this situation is exactly what was planned by those encouraged the settlements...to prevent a two state solution, while proclaiming support for that concept. Accordion to Siegman, the only hope is a two state solution imposed from abroad. Currently US shows signs of inclining this way, but perhaps Europe might follow this path. For example, the EU council of ministers passsed a resoltion that the EU would not recognize unilaterlal Israeli changes in the pre-1967 borders (ie settlements on the West Bank.)
The article does not consider the other (also difficult alternative) of a one state binational democracy. South Africa has shown that is possible. Can not the Jews and Arabs?
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