spitzen darstellung!

@Mo: Yeah, I also loved that graph, because it made the “groth” of Israel so obvious - I only wished there was a similar graph that shows how Palestinian refuges were spread out in the neighboring countries.

Demographics.

That is the key word to the conundrum of Israel and Palestine. It is quite convoluted to try to figure out all the pieces of the puzzle. But, there will not be a single state where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side for the simple reason that if treated on an equal basis with Israelis it will not be long before the much more fertile Palestinians outnumber the Israelis and take over control of the country again. Hence the squabble over the right of return. Israel does not want to grant those Palestinians driven out of what is now Israel the right to return to the land from which they were forced to leave. It is also the reason for seaking a two state solution. Only by giving the Palestinians their own country does Israel stand a chance to maintain Israeli numerical superiority.

The rest of the story is a strange one. Fact is Gaza was won from the Egyptians and the West Bank was won from Jordan. And now another 8 years has passed since Arafat turned down the best chance for a two state solution and the situation is totally fucked up.

You can read about the latest unpublicized debacle in American diplomacy here: http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/04/gaza200804?printable=true&currentPage=all

The Bush administration staying true to form. Incompetent.

@RichMC: Thanks for the article and your comment.

It’s all just a bloody mess - and hardly any event seems to desescalate the situation. Gaza is like a Konzentrationslager - now that even Egypt is building a serious wall against the Palestinians …