An Alternative Explanation

Two questions I'd love never to hear again: "The Arabs have 20 countries. Why can't the Palestinians go there?" For the same reason that most Chileans want to stay in Chile, and not move to Mexico or Argentina. Palestine/Israel is the place they love, most of them were born there, and they have as much of a right to live there as anyone else. And the parallel question: "Why can't the Jews go back to Poland?" First, most Israelis today are descended from Jews that came from Morocco, Iraq, Yemen, and other North African and Middle Eastern countries. And second, same answer: most were born there, have no other passport, and have as much of a right to live there as anyone else. Few things are more deluded, damaging, or dangerous than talking of "another Nakba" for the Palestinians or fantasizing that "the Jews will leave like the French left Algeria." Neither will happen. This can only end with *some* form of coexistence. There is no other way.