Why Israel will never concede to a Palestinian state

In light of Israel’s flagrant and ongoing violations, what will the international community’s response be to a successful bid?

It was not that long ago that the international community punished the Palestinians for electing Hamas in democratic elections that had been scrupulously supervised. Instead of respecting the will of the people, Israel imposed a diabolical siege on Gaza that has completely isolated the population from the rest of world – a world that shamefully has acquiesced in this collective punishment in violation of international law.

Is it likely then that we will see demands being made of Israel to respect the borders of the Palestinian state, to dismantle the illegal Israeli settlements, to stop its Judaisation of all Jerusalem, to allow Palestinians their water rights, and to stop blocking the refugees’ right to return home?   These are after all the issues that have been the sticking points in twenty years of fruitless negotiations, and regardless of what happens in the U.N., will be no closer to being resolved, unless pressure is brought to bear on Israel.

Currently, every single Palestinian living under occupation relies on Israel for survival. Israel or an arm of the government or military ultimately controls the water, electricity, fuel, taxes, and every other function of society.

International aid is still the single biggest factor supporting the Palestinian economy with Australia having donated about $150 million since Labor took power in 2007. However, a U.N. investigation found that 45 per cent of every aid dollar to Palestine directly benefits the economy of Israel, which means in effect that Israel’s occupation is funded by the international community, including Australia.

Having historically supported the two-state model as the only acceptable solution, Australia has an important role to play if it genuinely wants to see both peoples thrive. Otherwise, it will be party to Israel’s apartheid policies and practices.

These are the issues that must be addressed if there is to be a sovereign Palestine. Failure to do so will only condemn both peoples to more violence and no peace in Palestine/Israel.