OPINION:
In a recent piece for the New York Times, Thomas L. Friedman clings to the well-worn and now essentially discarded concept of a two-state solution — one with indefensible borders for Israel and permanent exposure to terrorist attacks from a new, neighboring Palestinian state. It is time insteas for a drastic solution; namely that the Palestinian (and if desired Israeli Arabs as well) should be transferred out of the League-of-Nations-mandated Jewish homeland.
While many may argue against this resolution on basis of humanitarian concerns, it would be useful to examine the examples of Poland and Czechoslovakia. After World War II each expelled 2.5 million Germans from their territories. During the war Germany had succeeded in destroying the two nations. A similar scenario could be applied to the 1948 Arab war designed to destroy Israel.
To give Israel defensible borders and once for all resolve the conflict, the Palestinian Arab population, desirous of continuing its permanent campaign for self-rule, should be transferred to Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, forming a contiguous state with massive international assistance and compensation.
As far as Gaza goes, it can function as a city state similar to Singapore and serve as a financial center for the Arab world. No other permanent solution has been found, nor is one likely.
NELSON MARANS
New York
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