Quote Originally Posted by Old_pie View Post
I'm not sure where the "agreement" for a two state solution you mention is coming from. And like the "Irish" question (UK/EU and/or/both) there are so many nuances to resolve, especially Jerusalem. Of course we all know the Jews/Hebrews had lived there (when allowed) for ~2,500yrs, and Christians and Philistines (who I think were nomadic not resident). Islam's claim to it arose from interpretations (or even mis-interpretations) of a dream that Muhammed is said to have had. He never actually went there.

Ideally Palestinians and Jews could co-exist in a single state if you took away religion. But their whole outlook seems so alien to each other that it likely would be uncomfortable. And anyway the Jews would just take over because they are more industrious.
I was referring mainly to discussions about the issue in the UK, and making the point that it's less of a divisive issue than some people think. Especially those who seem desperate to believe that anyone with any sympathy for the Palestinian cause is a supporter of Hamas.

I think internationally, the consensus is also that a two-state solution seems like the best option. I agree that it's a long way off at the moment, and it was never going to be easy to arrange even before the recent terrorist atrocities. Obviously, the location of the borders and the terms will be difficult to agree, and negotiations have failed before under far more auspicious circumstances.