In the UK-based monthly, Palestine Times, Dr. Daud Abdullah, a researcher and editor at the Palestinian Return Centre in London, analyzes the predicament Israel faces in its relations with the Arabs under its jurisdiction.
In the view of Dr. Abdullah, ??the Israelis are caught between a rock and a hard place. They don?t want to annex the West Bank and Gaza because this would only hasten the process by which Israel becomes a Jewish State with an Arab majority. And, on the other hand, they don?t want to recognize Palestinian independence for fear of setting in motion an irredentist movement.?
For their part, writes Dr. Abdullah, ??the Palestinians have affirmed through this Intifada that their struggle is not limited to dismantling illegal Jewish settlements but, moreover, for the attainment of independence and full sovereign rights?.? However, Israeli ?recognition of a Palestinian State would be tantamount to recognition of their [Palestinian] ownership of the land.?
Dr. Abdullah further points out that Israeli acceptance of Arab sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and Gaza will convey the message ??that if Israel is forced to relinquish the West Bank and Gaza, it can also do the same for other territory acquired by force [the Golan, Galil, Negev, etc.].?
In the view of Dr. Abdullah, ??the Israelis are caught between a rock and a hard place. They don?t want to annex the West Bank and Gaza because this would only hasten the process by which Israel becomes a Jewish State with an Arab majority. And, on the other hand, they don?t want to recognize Palestinian independence for fear of setting in motion an irredentist movement.?
For their part, writes Dr. Abdullah, ??the Palestinians have affirmed through this Intifada that their struggle is not limited to dismantling illegal Jewish settlements but, moreover, for the attainment of independence and full sovereign rights?.? However, Israeli ?recognition of a Palestinian State would be tantamount to recognition of their [Palestinian] ownership of the land.?
Dr. Abdullah further points out that Israeli acceptance of Arab sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and Gaza will convey the message ??that if Israel is forced to relinquish the West Bank and Gaza, it can also do the same for other territory acquired by force [the Golan, Galil, Negev, etc.].?