Open to Debate: Is the Two-State Solution Still Viable?
The nonpartisan debate series and podcast, “Open to Debate,” has released a compelling new episode titled “Is the Two-State Solution Still Viable?” Recorded on July 16th in New York City in collaboration with the Council on Foreign Relations, this episode brings together leaders from all sides of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict for an in-depth and thought-provoking discussion.
The debate features Ambassador Dennis Ross and Palestinian peace activist Mohammed Dajani Daoudi arguing in favor of the Two-State Solution. Ambassador Ross has played a pivotal role in U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process for over a decade, acting as the U.S. point man in the peace process under both the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations. Dajani Daoudi, founder of the Wasatia movement, advocates for tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.
Opposing the Two-State Solution are Fleur Hassan-Nahoum and Elliott Abrams. Hassan-Nahoum, the former Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and Israel’s special envoy for innovation since September 2023, is also the first woman to be appointed as Secretary General for Kol Israel, the ideological successor to the General Zionist Party in the World Zionist Congress. Abrams, a CFR Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, served as deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor during President George W. Bush’s administration, overseeing U.S. policy in the Middle East.
The debate delves into various aspects of the conflict and explores potential paths forward. Topics include strategies to rejuvenate the Two-State Solution, ways to reform the Palestinian Authority, and novel approaches such as regional splits or granting the Palestinian people autonomous territories similar to Puerto Rico or Gibraltar, rather than full statehood.
Listeners will gain valuable insights from the diverse perspectives and experiences of the debaters, offering a nuanced understanding of one of the most complex and enduring conflicts in modern history. The episode is not only informative but also a call to reflect on the possibilities for peace and coexistence in the Middle East.
For those interested in Middle Eastern politics, international relations, and the quest for peace, this episode of “Open to Debate” is a must-listen. Tune in to hear this critical discussion and consider the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
