The Israel-Palestine Impasse                                                                                                    7/06 A examination of the history of the formation of the nation of Israel up until the present time will clearly show, as we are all aware, a history of conflict between Jewish people and later, the nation of Israel, and both the indigenous non-Jewish residents of the area of Israel and surrounding countries.   It is impossible to determine who is right and who is wrong both legally and morally. There has been so much duplicitous behavior on both sides and duplicitous behavior involving third parties such as the US, UN, European, and Middle Eastern countries that no one can claim a moral high road. One disturbing factor, however, is that the educational level and world view of nearly every party to the problem except the Palestinians themselves put Palestinians at a decisive disadvantage.   It seems safe to assume that no one is going to be able to pull an international legal precedent out of a hat that will settle things once and for all.  Therefore, to proceed with a solution forget the history, forget whose side their God is on, and work with what exists.   Here is a possible arrangement of gains and loses. 1.Jews, Muslims, and Christians all lose control of the spiritual core of Jerusalem and this part becomes an international city.  A council of representatives from each religion will work through an international organization. 2.Israel must move the wall to pre-agreed boundaries and settlements on Palestinian  territory become Palestinian property. 3.Assuming no land swap could be arranged to prevent operating Palestine as two non- contiguous parts it seems reasonable that two new independent countries be created.   Each can create a new name for their country.  The rationale behind this is that Palestinians seem to be more interested in their location than their larger organization and both areas do have resources that can be developed. Both areas should then be strongly encouraged to bring in some competent business persons to create their financial infrastructure. The simple payoff is peace and the opportunity for the everyday citizens of Palestinian territory to get on with their lives.                                                                                              6/07 Interestingly, current events in Gaza and the West Bank point to the possibility of creating two Palestinian States. The West Bank, philosophically, could justify recognizing Israel's right to exist in exchange for removal of settlements especially were it to declare statehood.  Western resources, possibly excepting the US, would probably support this change.  The potential for partial peace could be great so long as the West Bank could maintain a secular government.