On Sat, Dec 23, 2023 at 11:03 AM Bruce Metcalf via Silklist < silklist@lists.digeratus.in> wrote:
> If the Israel/Palestine problem is indeed to be resolved with a two > state solution, the obvious question is how to get there, especially > given that neither side wants the other to survive. > I have serious doubts that elements (sadly, on the ascendency) on either side want a two state solution. Thus, one side calls for a nation "from the river to the sea", while the other is busy building and fortifying settlements in the West Bank (and has already removed Golan Heights from the negotiation vocabulary). > Which brings me to the history of India (and Pakistan/Bangladesh). While > perhaps not a perfect analogy, and not (yet) a perfect solution, it is a > case of a nation that voluntarily separated along religious lines. > Is it not interesting that Ireland does not come to mind? And what about the likes of Poland that have appeared and disappeared and reappeared in existence through history? > My questions for this list: > > 1. Do you think that the history of India provides any helpful lessons > that could be applied to Israel? > Yes. As others have pointed out, the lesson is "Don't do it like that!" A geographically separated West Bank from Gaza Strip has too many resonances to West and East Pakistan. > 2. Do you think it reasonable for India to provide an occupying force to > separate the two parties and help effect the split (with UN approval, of > course)? > The closest historical analogies with Indian involvement I can think of is the International Control Commission <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Control_Commission>, and the IPKF <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Peace_Keeping_Force>. Neither was successful. Being a "peacekeeping force" in these situations is a thankless (and ultimately fruitless) job. Dallaire did not succeed in Rwanda, nor did the Norwegians in Sarajevo. Thaths -- Homer: Hey, what does this job pay? Carl: Nuthin'. Homer: D'oh! Carl: Unless you're crooked. Homer: Woo-hoo!
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