Uncanny alter egos

If the ultimate goal of Zionism is to create a safe haven for the Jewish people8230; then the primary limitation to that is the continued conflict with the Arab world in general and with the Palestinians in particular. The struggle of Zionism was never meant to be about the Israeli-Arab conflict. Our historic transformation as a people through Zionism got distorted along the way because of the failure of the Arab world to accept the Jewish state in the region. 8230;For many Israelis the question of control over the Palestinian territories centres on issues of security. For many others it is primarily a question of religious connections. Palestinians still find it very difficult to recognise Israel8217;s right to exist. But the overwhelming majority of Palestinians, including almost the entire leadership of the PLO, have come to full terms with the existence of Israel as a fact that cannot be changed8230;

The greatest risk to the continuation of the Zionist enterprise today is the possibility that we may not be able to separate ourselves from the occupation of the Palestinian people. There is a timeline on the viability and the feasibility of creating a Palestinian state next to Israel. The future of the Jewish people8230; has never before been so inextricably linked to the aspirations of the Palestinian people. The fulfilment of Palestinian national aspirations is what will enable the ultimate fulfilment of Jewish national aspirations8230; There is still sufficient time to reach an agreement that will save both national movements from mutual destruction.

Excerpted from an article by Gershon Baskin in 8216;The Jerusalem Post8217;