For two states: Israel and Palestine

Many people think the idea of a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is dead as long as Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition are in power.   In fact, Natanyahu has said as much himself:   It will not happen as long as he is prime minister.

Last week, there appeared a full page ad in the New York Times under the headline "Israel's Security Chiefs Agree."   There were pictures and previously published quotes of six Chiefs of Staff from the Israel Defense Forces, six Directors of the Domestic Security Agency, and six heads of Mossad, the Israel Intelligence Agency.

They were all supporting the two-state solution above the banner:  "It's Time:  Two States for Two People."  On a pragmatic note was a side-bar with the predicted population breakdown in Israel:

2015     52% Jewish

2020     49% Jewish

2030     44% Jewish

Assuming that trend bears out, it seems that Israel can only remain a Jewish state if it does allow -- and cooperate in establishing -- a separate State of Palestine.   Otherwise, Israel will no longer have a majority Jewish population.

It is also a moral problem.   It's time to stop the occupation -- and the violence from both sides.    Restart the peace process -- and mean it.

Ralph