Is the Two-State Solution Already Dead?

Sound Bite

Books on the Palestinian conflict tend to focus on one historical period and blame one side or another for the Palestinians' predicament. This work fills the need for a source that tells a comprehensive story of the conflict since the nineteenth century, when Zionism was conceived in Europe and Palestine was home for an Arab majority and very small Jewish minority. It reviews and analyzes the histories of Arab nationalism, Zionism, Palestinian nationalism, and the roles played by Jordan and Egypt in the Palestinian conflict over the years.

About the Book

Written by a Palestinian with intimate knowledge of the political and physical landscape of the region, at its basic level the book advocates for a just peace based on the human rights and international law, a peace which all parties to the century-old conflict need.

In this history of Palestine, the author shows that both sides of the conflict as well as the international community share the blame for the failure to bring the issue to a just conclusion. Part of the responsibility, he says, lies at the door of the Palestinian leaders themselves, who seem to suffer from institutionalized incompetence in dealing with the Israelis; and the Israelis are to be blamed for their refusal to transform their colonial enterprise into reconciliation politics by acknowledging the claims of the indigenous Palestinian people.

At the same time, there is every sign that this impasse was deliberately created at the outset by the international community, led by Great Britain, in the endless game of "divide and rule." Unlike many optimistic writers who expect US President Barack Obama and his administration to find a just solution to the conflict, the author concludes that the Obama Administration would have to reverse the traditional US policy in the Middle East entirely if it is to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Reviewing the historical background behind all the parties to the issue, the book provides much-needed background for understanding news events today and basic information that even human rights activists and peace organizations may not have fully appreciated. Throughout, the author seeks to transcend his ethnicity and deal fairly with the positions of people holding different worldviews.

Introduction

Is the Two-State Solution Already Dead? A Political and Military History of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict by Hasan Afif El-Hasan presents a comprehensive and critical analysis of one of the most shocking and tragic conflicts of the modern era. This scholarly work explores all sides of the complex historical, ideological, and political dimensions that have shaped the Palestinian-Israeli struggle, and has to foresight to suggest that the widely endorsed two-state solution was never a real option.

El-Hasan approaches the conflict with an account of the diverse narratives on both sides, emphasizing the intricate interplay of Arab nationalism, Zionism, and colonial legacies. The book traces the origins of Arab nationalism under the Ottoman and Egyptian administrations, highlighting key intellectual movements and the role of education in fostering Arab consciousness. He further explores the evolution of Zionism — from the cultural Zionists who envisioned a national spiritual center for Judaism, to the political and militant Zionists who pursued territorial sovereignty through organizations like the Haganah and the implementation of strategies such as the 1948 “Plan Dalet,” Israel’s 1948 blueprint for the mass expulsion of Palestinians, which they have accelerated since October 7, 2023 in the face of international outrage.

A rigorous examination of pivotal historical moments sets the background: the Balfour Declaration and its implications for Palestinian self-determination; the British Mandate period with its socio-economic transformations and land policies; the 1948 War of Independence and the resulting Nakba; and subsequent conflicts including the 1956 Suez Crisis, the 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

El-Hasan also analyzes the internal dynamics of Palestinian society, the fragmentation between Fatah and Hamas, and the challenges faced by the Palestinian Authority in governance and democracy-building.

The book situates the peace process in a critical light, addressing the Oslo Accords, the Roadmap for Peace, and international diplomatic efforts such as the Annapolis Conference and the Arab Peace Initiative. El-Hasan argues that entrenched ideological positions, factionalism, and external influences have impeded meaningful progress. The author underscores the asymmetry of power, the Israeli settlement expansion, and the role of international actors—particularly the United States—in shaping outcomes.

This book was written before the latest wave of Israeli crimes against humanity, so that it was possible to still advocate for nonviolent resistance by Palestinians. Since Israel has only deepened its commitment to the ideology of conquest, the author’s point is confirmed that adherence to international law and recognition of historical rights, enforced by the global community, will be essential components of any sustainable resolution.

This book is a detailed, fact-based, and balanced review of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict beyond simplistic binaries. It is grounded in thorough research, enriched by historical documents, political analysis, and a commitment to peace with justice.