Unparallel Universes: Iran and Israel's One-state Solution

Abstract

Sceptical of the ideational and non-regional terms ruling the post-1993 one-state/two-state (1S2S) exchange about the Palestine/Israel question, this article is in two parts. Part I demonstrates that no Israeli-Jewish constituency exists to support a viable two-state solution while concurrently arguing that the breathtaking one-state vision—in the form of a secular-democratic or bi-national state—is equally unlikely to materialise. The sole empirical/material process taking place in the territory comprising mandatory Palestine is Israel's one-state solution, i.e. the ceaseless consolidation of Israeli-Jewish domination over the entire territory. Part II posits that—contrary to the prevailing case—the study of the 1S2S conundrum cannot take place in a universe parallel to the broader study of regional dynamics. I argue that confrontation involving Israel, Iran and their Gazan/Lebanese/American allies/proxies is likely to pre-date/supersede any substantive consideration of a resolution in the territory conceptualised as a secluded island in 1S2S scholarship. It is erroneous to dismiss the possibility that—as happened in 1948 and 1967—an intense Israeli/Iranian regional confrontation can manufacture a Nakbaic conjuncture (resulting in fewer Arabs present in the already fully Israeli-controlled territory of Mandatory Palestine). Such a development could defer far enough the possibility for so-called real solutions to emerge—foremost those prescribed by liberal 1S2S scholars—and simultaneously advance the Israeli version of a one-state solution. It is hoped that colleagues will identify paths to arrive at the utter demolition of this article.