Mohammad Abdur Rahman

The phrase "Palestine will be free" is ringing in the hearts of many around the world, a common aspiration that symbolizes justice, self-determination, and peace for the Palestinian people. Pivotal to this aspiration is the notion of the two-state solution wherein there would be an independent State of Palestine, living in peace with the State of Israel. While this idea is widely mooted, it is also greatly complicated and beset by difficulties. To appreciate both the promise and the problems entailed, one has to revert to the historical background in which the solution is set and discuss the ingredients of the solution as such and the obstacles ahead. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is rooted in a century of competing national aspirations and territorial disputes. But based on a UN partition plan, the State of Israel was established in 1948. The consequences of this were the first Arab-Israeli war and hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians, known as the Nakba, or "catastrophe." Multiple wars, peace processes and diplomatic efforts have passed since, with the two-state solution being the most prominent.
The two-state solution involves the establishment of an independent State of Palestine, on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with land swaps mutually agreed upon between the parties to take into consideration some Israeli settlements built in the West Bank. This solution involves several critical components: defining secure and recognized borders for both states, determining the status of Jerusalem, ensuring security for both Israelis and Palestinians and addressing the rights of Palestinian refugees. The two-state solution has been supported on the grounds that it allows both peoples to exercise their right to self-determination. For Palestinians, this means gaining sovereignty over their own state, fulfilling a long-held aspiration for national independence. The two-state solution also has broad international backing, including from the United Nations, the United States and the European Union. This global consensus provides a framework for negotiations and potential enforcement, lending legitimacy to the process. Another important benefit of this solution is its realism. The two-state solution has often been regarded as the only feasible way to reach a durable peace, considering the demographic and political realities. It seeks a balance between the needs and rights of both populations and offers a pragmatic path ahead. Besides, peace and stability could give way to a possible economic dividend for Israel and a future Palestinian state: trade, investment, and infrastructure development could enrich the prosperity and quality of life for both peoples. However, a two-state solution also faces heavy opposition and criticism. For one, the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank makes any contiguous Palestinian state less and less feasible. The settlements are illegal under international law, although Israel rejects this. Then there is the status of Jerusalem, still one of the most high-profile points of contention. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim it as their capital. Meeting both of their demands with one compromise is challenging.
Security concerns also pose significant obstacles. Israel's concerns about militant groups like Hamas which controls Gaza must be addressed in any agreement. Robust security arrangements are essential to prevent violence and ensure stability. Moreover, internal political divisions within both Israeli and Palestinian societies complicate negotiations. Palestinian political factions, primarily Fatah and Hamas, have divergent visions for the future, making it difficult to present a unified stance. Decades of conflict have generated a deep trust deficit between the parties. The second challenge pertains to the building of trust and compliance with the agreement reached. Past failures and broken promises have made both sides suspicious of any new initiative, thereby making the task of finding a durable solution all the more complex. While the two-state solution remains the most widely endorsed framework, other alternatives have been proposed. Some want a one-state solution: a single, binational state in which Israelis and Palestinians are equal citizens. This is said to ensure equal rights for all, though critics worry it could foment ethnic and religious conflict. Yet another alternative is the confederation model: two sovereign entities sharing in the administration of select matters, like security and infrastructure. In such a configuration, there is a balancing act between autonomy and cooperation. Some even suggest giving Palestinians more self-government within a greater Israel but this would require far-reaching political and legal adjustments and is resisted by many.
The two-state solution will be realized through new negotiations. What is required is a commitment by both parties to serious negotiation which international mediators could help promote. The establishment of an environment conducive to negotiations requires confidence-building measures like the freezing of settlement expansion and the reduction of violence. The international community can play a decisive role through the use of diplomatic pressure, offering incentives toward peace and providing guarantees for any agreements. Success hinges on the resolution of the key issues of borders, Jerusalem, refugees and security in a balanced and fair manner. The grassroots initiatives also go a long way in engendering confidence and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. Encouragement of dialogue and cooperation at the grass-roots level would develop mutual interest in living peacefully coexisting or working with reconciliation. Civil society and its related peacebuilding initiatives, based on this very belief, become important in that sense. Engaging with neighbors, regional dynamics-in the form of the so-called Abrahamic Accords-might enable such  process further. For so many, the dream of a free Palestine remains an abiding and mobilizing force. Despite its challenges, a two-state solution provides a path for turning this dream into a reality that can fulfill both Palestinian and Israeli legitimate aspirations and rights. Attaining this will require sustained effort, compromise from all sides, and unfaltering commitment. While the road ahead is lined with obstacles, peace and justice for all people in the region are a goal worth fighting for. Only through dialogue, empathy and cooperation can the vision of a free and peaceful Palestine turn into reality.

The writer is a Student.of the department of International Relations of the University of Dhaka