A solution for the Israeli-Palestine conflict

If the land between the Jordan and Mediterranean is partitioned into two states they will most likely have two systems. Israel will remain a Jewish state with many democratic features and a strong fundamentalist presence. Palestine now is split into an Islamist Gaza, and a corrupt, authoritarian Fatah. The resulting Palestinian state will have few, if any, democratic features.

Once a bad idea has been adopted and repeated ad nauseam it becomes an accepted argument, but it does not become a good argument. Two states for Israel-Palestine is a bad idea which has gained acceptance.

There is a solution which is unpalatable to many of the parties concerned. However, it may have a chance.

To effect that solution the idea of a Jewish or a Palestinian state must be given up, and all parties must work together to create a state which would not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity or religion. One of the virtues of South Africa is that the Afrikaners and the Zulus did not get self-determination. All parties live together.

Israel has a number of Haredim (ultra-orthodox). The men in general do not participate in the economy. They spend their time involved with their religious texts except when they produce large families with children who will emulate their life style. They are becoming an increasing percentage of the population and an increasing burden on the state. The schools of the Haredim produce children who know about Talmudic minutiae but do not have the rudiments of science or literature outside of religious texts. Israel has no civil marriage.

As it is now in Israel there are several school systems all subsidised by the government. With Israel continuing the way it is it will perish of its own contradictions without needing a war. There are separate school systems. There are school systems for Muslims, another for secular Jews, another for religious Jews and another for Haredim.

One state with a public school system which integrates all students regardless of ethnicity or religion. If parents want to send their children to other schools they and/or their religious organisation must pay the full cost. That is a good idea for Australia, too.

Go to school, work together, live together. There is already too much separation. It is stupid to postulate more separation as a solution.

The religious zealots on both sides will object. Some Muslim religious zealots are Jihadis. Inside Jihadism by Farhad Khosrokhaver describes the attitudes of the Jihadis. Jihadis do not recognise any sort of relationship with those who do not accept Islam except submission with a tax acknowledging submission. This option is only open to Jews or Christians. Others must convert or be killed. Those Muslims who favour accommodation with non-Muslims, pluralism, democracy or peaceful coexistence are regarded as traitors and can also be killed.

Israel has developed into a garrison state. An inordinate number of generals use their military reputation to gain office. Israel has departed from Jewish tradition as to militarism.

Both Muslims and Jews have another tradition.

Part of the Jewish tradition is that one should not rejoice in military victories or militarism. That is an old tradition. King David was not allowed to build the Temple because he was a man of war and thus thought unworthy to build a place to worship the Lord.