Israel-Palestine relations are similar to India-Pakistan relations! The majority of the people in both countries want peace and normalcy but certain vested interests within and without the two countries want strife and tension. To my mind, the entire middle-east has a common heritage and culture, characterized by a mixture of Islam and Judaism. Both religions accept Abraham to be the founder of both religions and Jerusalem to be the holy city. Both religions are exclusivist with obeisance to a single God.
If Egypt and Israel,long sworn enemies, have learned to co-exist,it is perfectly possible for Israel and Palestine to have cordial relations. The first step is to accept the reality that both countries are independent sovereign states with a right to self-determination in accordance with popular mandate. Israel has a greater responsibility in view of its size and larger economy. Conceding a few square miles of territory to Palestine will not make any difference to Israel. I am sure that any gesture of good-will from Israel will receive a positive response from Palestine!
India and Pakistan have taken large strides in bringing normalcy to the region,surely Palestine and Israel can also strive to improve relations.
If Egypt and Israel,long sworn enemies, have learned to co-exist,it is perfectly possible for Israel and Palestine to have cordial relations. The first step is to accept the reality that both countries are independent sovereign states with a right to self-determination in accordance with popular mandate. Israel has a greater responsibility in view of its size and larger economy. Conceding a few square miles of territory to Palestine will not make any difference to Israel. I am sure that any gesture of good-will from Israel will receive a positive response from Palestine!
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