Hilik Bar joins those who want the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolved with the establishment of a Palestinian state (“Time To Recognize The Palestinian State,” Opinion, Jan. 9). His is a positive position. This will never be possible because of the extent of Israel’s “facts on the ground.”
The impression prevails in the United States that the “facts” only refer to settlements. They are much more. Collectively their pattern leaves no room for a viable Palestinian entity.
They include the Oslo three-zone system, the security barrier, Israeli-only highways, unilateral expansion of Jerusalem, the annexation of East Jerusalem and quasi-annexation of Bethlehem, surrounding Palestinian population centers with settlements and military garrisons, military fire zones as placeholders for new settlements, control of the Palestinian water supply and electricity grid, a complex permit system based on over 2,500 military orders, expropriation of Palestinian land, and discriminatory laws.
To understand the relationships among these “facts,” it is necessary to travel carefully through the West Bank with detailed maps and a GPS in hand.
Colrain, Mass.
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