Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland voiced support on May 28 for creating a Palestinian state that would physically connect the West Bank with Gaza.

As someone committed to peace I reject any idea that Israel must suffer defeat before Palestinians can secure liberation. Such an approach guarantees unending conflict. It brings to mind Russell Means observation from the American Indian Movement that for Indians to live Europe must die. That idea lingers because history shows who bears the heaviest losses. A single state might appeal yet many Jews along with certain Palestinian hardliners resist integration especially in the current climate.

From a justice standpoint Jews hold legitimate historic ties to portions of the territory though not the majority. In 1933 Jews and non-Jews coexisted peacefully with Jews making up roughly 20 percent of the population. Restoring that balance through a two-state framework remains feasible. Farms and communities taken by settlers must be restored to their owners. Demographic and historic fairness limits the Jewish state to about 20 percent of the land.

Theocracy poses another obstacle. When groups assert that a deity grants them territory religion turns into sacrilege and paves the way for mass killing. Their deity effectively becomes malevolent. Secular approaches offer clearer ground.

At a recent Friday event in Montebello Lake I noted that the West Bank and Gaza could join with everything between them. Someone replied that this would encompass all of Israel. I disagree. A map of Israel shows that most of the Jewish state lies north and south of the West Bank and Gaza rather than directly between them.

At present only one major highway links the West Bank to Gaza. This east-west route intersects two major north-south highways that join Tel Aviv in the north with Dimona in the south. The crossing occurs near Qiryat Gat or Beersheba.

Connecting the West Bank physically to Gaza would divide Israel into separate sections. Currently Palestine itself is split in two. Is it possible for neither nation to be divided without large-scale population shifts? Can Tel Aviv and Dimona stay Jewish while uniting Palestine two halves? The answer is yes.

The east-west highway between the West Bank and Gaza Strip can pass beneath the north-south routes so each country maintains independent traffic corridors. A rural bypass around Qiryat Gat or Beersheba would reduce urban crowding and limit tunneling needs. Once peace holds the routes could later link with checkpoints for border management. The tunnels could include nearby exits to support such connections.

I therefore suggest two short tunnels as a practical answer to halting perpetual war that risks widening into global conflict. After drafting this proposal I noticed that Donald Trump peace plan also calls for a tunnel from the West Bank to Gaza though that version appears overly extensive. A map is referenced here.

How to Resolve the Israel-Iran Standoff

I further offer an approach to the danger of a nuclear-capable Iran. Israel and Iran could agree to reciprocal inspections of nuclear sites. Israel would need to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty signed by the other nine nuclear powers. Mutual oversight would build confidence and reduce suspicion. Opposition from either side would indicate a preference for ongoing conflict rather than lasting stability.

Inspections could pave the way for regional nuclear disarmament especially once a Palestinian state forms normal ties with Israel. Territory exchanged for peace would allow Hamas influence to diminish.

Tracing Today Conflicts to U.S. Actions in 1917

World War Two the Jewish Holocaust violence in Gaza and tensions with Iran all trace back to the United States decision to join the wrong side in World War One. At minimum the U.S. should have honored its neutrality agreement.

World War One began as Germany sought to challenge the British colonial empire that dominated global resources. U.S. support helped impose harsh reparations on defeated Germany fueling Hitler rise amid postwar hardship. The Holocaust might have been avoided had the U.S. not backed the British empire in 1917. Jews would not have faced the same pressure to flee Germany at great expense.

The British drew the U.S. into backing their colonial interests. All conflicts begin with information campaigns. British forces cut German undersea cables so Americans received only one side of events. Reports emphasized alleged German atrocities while omitting context.

The British then sailed the Lusitania carrying U.S. passengers into a war zone despite a German embassy warning published in The New York Times. Later evidence showed the vessel carried hidden U.S. arms bound for Britain in breach of neutrality rules. Germany received blame for the sinking yet explosives had been placed aboard earlier and Winston Churchill then First Lord of the Admiralty delayed rescue vessels to heighten outrage and push the U.S. into the conflict.

Thus World War One set off World War Two which led to the Holocaust which contributed to violence against Palestinians which spurred Iranian opposition and nuclear efforts which now fuel regional clashes and worldwide economic strain.

The U.S. capitalist elite bears ultimate responsibility for this chain of events and holds the duty to break the cycle. China has invaded no nations. Cuba has invaded no nations. Venezuela has invaded no nations.

The U.S. has entered 34 countries posing no direct threat killing around 20 million people since World War Two.

Which system endangers the planet more capitalism or communism?