The Ultimate ‘Settlements are not the Problem’ Article
That was almost thirty years ago and the same points still apply! So let me summarize:
Most of what is said about settlements in the West isn’t true.
If you are really being so hurt by the existence and growth of settlements then make peace fast and get rid of them.
If you don’t want to make peace fast and get rid of them then settlements aren’t your problem; Israel’s existence is. And that means you have an unsolvable problem and someone will reprint the above column about thirty years from now.
Originally published at Rubin Reports.
About the Author: Professor Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. See the GLORIA/MERIA site at www.gloria-center.org.
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I've disagreed with this author a lot. But on this he is essentially correct. Settlements are indeed a problem but not a big one. There hasn't been a single new settlement approved in 20 years (since Rabin's election), and no new settlement built in 15. Arafat could have eliminated almost every settlement at Taba — and had an internationally recognized Palestinian State as well — but he chose to go to war instead.