Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
What are the solutions to the Israel Palestine conflict?
Position‹2 of 5›
A two-state solution to the Israel Palestine Conflict
Argument‹4 of 4

Right of return in Israel Palestine

A two-state solution would solve the issue of Palestinian refugees who wish to return to their homeland.

The argument

Under a two-state solution, a Palestinian state would be established. This would allow the millions of Palestinian refugees living in places like Jordan and the US to return to their homeland. This would be impossible under a one-state solution. The reason Israel desires control of the area is to have a specifically Jewish state, and if they were to share this area with Palestinians it would undermine the Zionist philosophy. This is why Palestinians have been pushed out of their land historically by the Israeli government; so the Israel-occupied area will be solely Jewish. Under a one-state solution, the Israeli government would not allow Palestinians to return to their homeland, and the refugees across the globe deserve the basic human right of return to their homeland. A two-state solution presents an equal solution while granting Palestinians the right to return to their homeland.

Context

Palestinian refugees are scattered throughout the Middle East and the world, and have been forced out of their homeland for decades. These refugees should be permitted to return to their country of origin. The establishment of a Palestinian state under a two-state solution would allow these refugees to return.

Premises

[P1]Proponents argue that a two-state solution would establish a Palestinian state, allowing the millions of Palestinian refugees in places like Jordan and the US to return to their homeland. [P2] They contend this is impossible under a one-state solution, since Israel's aim of a specifically Jewish state means it would not permit that return, whereas the refugees are owed the basic right of return. [C] Because it uniquely secures the Palestinian right of return, a two-state solution is the preferred resolution to the conflict.

Counter-arguments

If the agreement was brokered by outside nations, a one-state solution under which Israel was forced to accept Palestinian refugees back could work and not violate the Palestinian right of return. The assumed problem this argument has with a one state solution is that Israel would not allow Palestinian refugees back to their homeland. However, this problem could be easily avoided. If an outside force such as the UN, US, or other nations were to ensure that the treaty was upheld, rights could be given to Palestinian refugees during the establishment of a single state. Israel could not break this rule without facing international backlash. A two state solution has been tried in the past and has failed; a one state solution could be done in a way that ensures Israel does not violate Palestinian right of return.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] A creative solution could allow for Palestinians to return under a single state.

Framing

Believers of this argument think that it is a basic human right to be able to reside in one's homeland and that refugees morally deserve the right of return to Palestine.