Recent criticism by the US government of Israel's plans to expand a Jewish settlement in the West Bank on grounds that this would jeopardize the two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as considering continuous settlement expansion, raise much skepticism about Israel's long terms plans and is something that really threatens UN resolutions in this regard. It also raises a great deal of skepticism about solving one of the longest and most complicated disputes of land that belongs to the followers of three heavenly religions.



The US expression of 'deep concern' towards Israel's attitude over expanding the Gush Etzion settlement would eventually lead to building one over an area of 10 acres in the West Bank, which indicates Israel's indifference, especially towards the end of Obama's presidency when the US and its parties are very busy with electing a new president, who is most likely going to be a Republican in favor of more wars in case he wins.



Maintaining the current situation stems from a fixed vision set during World War I by major countries at that time, which explains Israel's keenness on expanding its settlements by all means over the past century. This raises fear of more violent Israeli-Palestinian conflicts in view of a state of despair, stagnancy and broken peace promises despite the fact that settlements are deemed by the UN as illegal, undermining peace efforts and in violation of its resolutions.



Recurring of the very same incidents and reaching dead ends for over 70 years is very saddening in view of the multitude of victims, injured and killed, despite many moderate groups on both sides that truly seek peaceful, joint, legitimate and fair solutions.



Accelerating violence between Israelis and Palestinians through stabbings, shootings and running people over with vehicles has resulted in killing 23 Israelis so far and considerable numbers of Palestinians on the other hand, which emphasizes how hateful both peoples are towards each other and calls for changing the international methodology on handling the conflict with the aim of reaching solutions to unsolved issues.



By Labeed Abdal

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