Olmert warns of binational state if no peace deal reached

[Violet_Crumble]

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday that the price of an agreement with the Palestinians would "move us very close" to an exchange of equal amounts of territory, and that this must be stated "honestly and courageously." The alternative to an agreement is a binational state, an idea, he said that "ever-growing segments of the international community are adopting."

Speaking at a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Olmert said the agreement now being formulated would give the Palestinians 100 percent of the West Bank, or territory of a similar area.

<snip>

The prime minister told the committee that there is a concern over "the entrenchment of the narrative of a binational state, in which we will not be the majority. Ever-growing segments of the international community are adopting the idea of a binational state. I see a Jewish state as a condition for our existence."

Olmert said an agreement would lead to international recognition of Israel's borders in the context of a two-state solution.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1021689.html

[leveymg]

1. Two states within a single trade area makes sense, at least initially.

Mr. Olmert, tear down that wall.

Now, if Israel, Iran, and Syria could learn how to coexist, trading development and technology for energy, then they'd really have something to build on.

[oberliner]

2. Hopefully this will give the peace process the push it needs

I'm also optimistic that new leadership both in Israel and the United States will help move things along.

[Vegasaurus]

3. The idea of a binational state may be growing in the international community

but it definitely isn't gaining any popularity in the Israeli community.

I think people will just bide time until Olmert is out.