I just finished watching "Promises," a documentary about the children involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A history of conflict and strife affected these kids more than anything, even though they have had no part in it, except as the victims. In that way, they provided a vivid glimpse into what both sides really want. The Palestinians see the conflict as pretense for physical relocation, occupation, and ghettoization. Of course, the children simply desired their way of life, and land, restored. On the Israeli side, kids view the checkpoints, and troop presence, as necessary to their own safety; and ultimately necessary to secure a Jewish state as a hedge against any future holocaust.
Furthermore, almost irreconcilable differences have emerged, as both sides see the entire state as their rightful land. A two-state (and for that matter a three-state) solution is increasingly impossible given the existing integration of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and Palestinians living in Israel. This 'solution' would require large-scale ethnic cleansing on both sides, an incredibly radical, as well as impossible, reality. The only way to end the conflict is a binational state, where all people in the state are given equal status as citizens.
Of course, critics argue that this would doom Israelis to permanent minority status, leaving them open to persecution; and in essence utterly destroying any hope for a national home for Jews. Although this one-state solution would create a singular nation, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side, I propose a divided parliament. Under this Israeli-Palestinian parliament, self-identified Israelis would vote as they normally would in an Israeli parliament. Palestinians would be able to vote on a Palestinian parliament. Each sub-parliament would comprise a unitary parliament. Neither party would be relegated to minority status as each would have an equal voice; 50% Israelis, 50% Palestinians. This would force them to work together, or the entire government would come to a halt. If the Israeli Parliament was orchestrating ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, all it would take is simple Palestinian opposition to nullify it. If Palestinians were attempting to institute Sharia law, the same would apply.
Furthermore, de-balkanization makes it more difficult for outside countries to justify a military attack as Palestinians and Israelis are living together. Any attack that would kill 500 Israelis would also kill 500 Palestinians. If there is a single Israeli state with only Israelis, that only provides Iran with an easier target. Even terrorist attacks would be completely unjustified; not only would there not be any reason for Palestinians to fire rockets at their new neighbors, but a simple bomb blast would terrorize both groups equally. All Palestinian political groups have even shown a no tolerance policy for jihadist groups like Al-Qaeda.
Just developing my thoughts on the subject, what do you think?