what exactly is the west bank. i mean its not a country, everything about it confounds me. understand i am not arguing with Israel or the UN or anyone is saying, I just dont understand how this area of land can sit in the middle of Israel, be landlocked, and yet be separate and distinct from Israel. What is the long term end goal here, for Israel, related to the West Bank, is there a stated goal (from Israel) anywhere ?

This post was edited by ferdia on Nov 6 2023 04:42am

Whether you remember or not, I'm generally pro-Israeli in this fight, but I don't see how this is the case when Israel continually expands settlements in the West Bank.

This post was edited by Santara on Nov 6 2023 04:46am

This is from last month, but it still remains, what is going to happen after this war ~ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-endgame-no-sign-post-war-plan-gaza-2023-10-18/

Reuters is stating that 100's are being killed in the West Bank so clearly, there is a disjoint between wanting them to work for Israel vs killing them in 100's. I mean, something is going to give there as well at some point ? What am I missing.

This post was edited by ferdia on Nov 6 2023 04:52am

The PLO wanted the whole of the West bank but afaik they were willing to make concessions in any peace deal circa the camp David accords.
Before the second interfada.
Netanyahu declined to extend the moratorium on Israeli settlements in the west bank which was a blow to any agreement.
Netanyahu built a coalition involving far right, racist members that supported the settlers. These right wing factions were also very west bank focused and I think this is one reason why Israels focus was shifted away from Gaza.

In any two state solution Israeli settlers in the west bank while either have to leave or more likely live as part of the Palestinian state.
The alternative would be settled areas of the west bank being permanently part of Israel which is unlikely to be agreeable for any Palestinian leader.

It's a mess and to be honest it's a selfish, self absorbed struggle from both sides in not being able to coexist.
Way worse problems are deserving of attention yet here we are again obsessed because Jews and Arabs can't live together.

This post was edited by Prox1m1ty on Nov 6 2023 04:55am

More of the same. At least until Netanyahu is gone and the Palestinians have a capable leader that has a consensus to negotiate.

/edit, fine, thank you.

also



by all accounts Netanyahu is the moderate in his party, are you suggesting another party will / may be in government in Israel ? after the terrorist attack by Hamas, surely this will bolster his party, not weaken it, accepted that some (%? unknown) people have, misgivings, about him. And what of the Palestinian leadership? this refers specifically to that of the West Bank, right? and is completely separate from Hamas? Its their spokesman in the UN or ? I see nothing to suggest a unified Palestinian authority, either now or in the future, which includes the ppl of gaza (wherever they may live in the future).

This post was edited by ferdia on Nov 6 2023 04:58am

The Arab/Gulf states. Not Iran for obvious reasons.
Really need to step up imo. Financially and in terms of leadership.

They are happy to protest Israels reaction but many of them still don't recognize Israels existence, don't condemn Hamas terrorists and are not strong enough to assure the region is not an utter shithole rife with extremists and terrorists.

Saudi are busy building a fucking linear city while 2 millions Gazans live of 80 aid trucks per day.
Qatar are hosting world cups and investing in European football clubs.
Where is the leadership and strength to find a solution and improve the lives of Arabs across the region?

If you don't want the US policing the globe then make a deterrent of their own against terrorism and more generally against the Iranian regimes support for terrorism.

This post was edited by Prox1m1ty on Nov 6 2023 05:01am

I was not going to reply, because there is no reply - however to be clear, my view is : There are no indications from any of those countries that they are going to change their attitude, and policies, relating to either Gaza, Israel or the Palestine question (two-state or otherwise), i.e. do nothing. There is also no indication from the US that the US is willing or able to force a solution (i.e. create a viable Palestinian state). Therefore to my mind it looks like Israel is going to just do its thing, whatever that is, and it remains to be seen how that pans out (with various groups deeply worried of it escalating to a regional/international war).

Up until now the US and Nukes is the ultimate deterrent. hopefully it stays that way.

The linear city is fascinating.

This post was edited by ferdia on Nov 6 2023 05:12am

Huh? Why are you getting so emotional over a simple question?

Personally, I’m against this..
imo Israel doesn’t need any “expansion”.
You do need to understand that we have our own radicals that more or less are doing as they want.. during my service I ran after those illegal settlers all over the place. I didn’t enjoy it at all.
The police is helpless and the army is not the current authority to restrain them.
I do hope that something will change after this war. With the security of our country and with our policies for future solutions.
It’s not a secret that our public is divided in that issue (not only, but it is a major thing).. we had 4 elections just two years ago..