Two? No. Three? Maybe. Four? Probably

I, of course, am way past this view and I'll explain below:-

Rather than an imminent two-state-solution, the reality is that a de-facto three-state solution is evolving (Israel, West Bank and Gaza). The ongoing focus on settlements obscures the truth, that until the PA becomes a functioning, united entity, a final breakthrough is not feasible.

Now, to return to my opinion, if there is a "two-state solution", the 'two states' are actually Egypt - who don't want the Gazans and never did want them within their state - and Jordan - who also do not want them even more than the Egyptians. The "solution" they want is that the Pals. should be far away from them.

I have also blogged years ago that we are now in that 'three-state' solution - Israel, Hamastan and Fatahland - and it is at least a 'four-state' solution, i.e., four states evolving out of the former Palestine Mandate: Israel, Jordan, Hamastan and Fatahland.

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Something You've Read Here for Almost Four Years

Instead of land-for-peace, Lieberman repeated his call for territorial and population transfer between Israel and a future Palestinian state, based on a two-state solution. But he also said the current negotiations were leading towards something radically different.

"Our guiding principle must be population and territorial transfer," he said. "We want two states for two peoples, not a state-and-a-half for one nation and half-a-country for the other. We cannot accept the asymmetry of a Jew-free Palestinian state and a bi-national Israel with 20 percent-plus minorities."

Lieberman added that failure to "deal" with this asymmetry would lead Arab citizens of Israel to destroy the country.

Let's Recall The Other "Palestinian" State

In the book "The Handbook of Palestine and Trans-Jordan", edited by Harry Luke and Edward Keith-Roach, MMacmillan and Co., Ltd, London, 1934 (3rd Edition), the history of the establishment of Trans-Jordan is recounted.

The highlights (with my comments):

Trans-Jordan was occupied simultaneously by the British and Arab troops in October 1918.

British troops evacuated it in December 1919 - although it technically being Occupied Enemy Territory (East) and later entrusted to Britain in April 1920 at San Remo Conference - it was considered part of Syria then ruled by King Faisal.

When French troops reoccupied Syria, troops of the Britain's Royal Air Force retook it.

In August 1920, High Commissioner for Palestine travelled to Salt and announced plans for local self-government. This administration of local councils and gendarmerie proved unsuccessful.

In November 1920, Abdallah arrived from Hejaz at Ma'an. In March 1921, he proceeded to Amman.

In March 1921, in Jerusalem, Secretary for Colonies Winston Churchill arranged that Abdallah assume the administration of Trans-Jordan under the general direction of the HC for Palestine representing the Mandatory Power.

In September 1922, a Memorandum from HMG, declaring by virtue of Article 25 of the Palestine Mandate that the articles relative to the establsihment of a Jewish National Home in Palestine would be inapplicable as regards Trans-Jordan, was approved by the Council of the League of Nations.

On 25 April 1923, the HC for Palestine declared that HMG will recognize, subject to League of Nations approval, the existence of an independent Government in Trans-Jordan under the rule of Amir Abdallah. The agrrement was finally reached on 20 February 1928.

September 1923, the League of Nations finally approved the awarding of a Mandate over Palestine to Great Britain.

Prior to 12 August 1927, the HC for Palestine included in their juridiction the entire Mandatory area without separate mention of Trans-Jordan. After that date, the HCs received separate Commissions from HM as HC for Trans-Jordan.

The Two-, Oops, Three-, Oops, Four-State Solution

I posted a comment on a new way of looking at the "two-state solution".

But I should have refined it.

It's now the three-state solution:

One = Israel.

Two = Gaza.

Three = Judea & Samaria.

Of course, being an ideological Jabotinskyite (as JB Schechtman once signed on my copy of his biography of Jabo), I need add:-

Four = Jordan.

So, now it's the "'Palestine Three' Against 'Israel One' Solution".

What a mess this disengagement/unilateral policy has gotten us.