Abbas Rejects U.S. Peace Proposal, Again

[Little Tich]

60. That wouldn't leave enough land for a viable Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem,

which would mean no viable Palestinian state. The Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem would be completely surrounded by Jewish neighborhoods and no direct access to the West Bank. There would be no direction in which East Jerusalem could expand, and it would become a poverty ridden cul-de-sac with no hope for the future.

The current situation in East Jerusalem is already pretty bad; 75.4% of all Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem are living below the poverty line, Only 64% of households are officially connected to the water infrastructure, and the streets of entire neighborhoods are unnamed. (http://www.acri.org.il/en/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/EJ-Facts-and-Figures-2015.pdf) An Israeli withdrawal would only make things worse.

If Israel can't give up enough land for a viable Palestinian state, then it's time for plan B. I personally think the binational state is the only viable plan B, but there have been suggestions of unilateral withdrawals and convincing neighbouring states to take over the lands and people that Israel doesn't want. I suppose Israelis have to believe in something that will save the Jewish state. The current French involvement is interesting, but I think it will only prove that a two-state solution is no longer possible.