Palestine Will Never Be. Now What

For decades, the world has spoken about a Palestinian state as though it were an inevitable destination. Politicians repeat the phrase “two state solution” as if saying it often enough will somehow make it real. Yet after generations of conflict, perhaps it is time to ask an uncomfortable question. What if Palestine will never become a functioning country? And if that is the case, what comes next?

A real country generally needs four core things.

First, it needs a defined territory with clear borders and land that it controls.

Second, it needs a permanent population of people who identify with that political community.

Third, it needs a functioning government capable of making laws, providing security, collecting taxes, operating courts, and managing public services.

Fourth, it needs the ability to deal with other countries through diplomacy, trade, treaties, and international relations.

In practice, a successful country requires much more. It needs the rule of law. It needs security. It needs an economy. It needs infrastructure. It needs education and healthcare. It needs legitimacy. Most importantly, it needs a national identity focused on building a future rather than fighting a past.

When we honestly examine the........

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