Israel/Palestine
read more about our take on the atrocities that have happened in Gaza
The Bottom Line
1787 supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (see proposed framework below). We deeply believe there is simply no alternative solution.
We understand that neither Israel nor Palestine believe we can fairly get to this place – especially since trust between the two is at an all-time low and, despite the October 2025 “peace deal” the deadliest round of war in the history of the conflict persists – but we absolutely can. There has been a renewed push for a two-state solution led by France and Saudi Arabia and supported by countries like Australia, Britain, Canada, Ireland, Norway, Portugal and Spain (other countries – including China, India, Malaysia and Russia – moved to recognize a Palestinian state in November 1988).
On September 12, 2025, a declaration supported by 142 countries was signed, calling for the implementation of the two-state solution; a cease-fire in Gaza; the release of Israeli hostages; the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from governance in Gaza; and the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Arab world. Israel and the United States voted against the declaration and have both criticized the Western countries that plan to recognize Palestine as a state.
The United States should reverse our position immediately and support this declaration. If Israel doesn’t cooperate with pursuing a two-state solution moving forward, the United States should leverage the billions of dollars we give them and place conditions on our aid. Plus, the U.S. Congress should absolutely, positively NOT greenlight any arms sales to them.
Dennis Ross, a longtime U.S. Middle East negotiator who was one of the architects behind the two-state structure we recommend below, said recently that “Palestinian statehood is an easy symbol. It perpetuates for Palestinians what has unfortunately always been the case: that they’ll settle for symbolism over substance on the one hand, and yet at the same time they expect if they just hold out they’ll be granted a state and never have to take any of the steps that would be required to earn it.”
We agree. Hamas must understand that our support for a two-state solution is not a political statement against the Israeli war effort or a reward for Hamas’ atrocious, murderous behavior. It is to end this horrible chapter forever.
This relentless conflict has been violent, oppressive, frustrating, and futile for decades. Escalating death, damage and destruction have proven that the price of not having some version of peace is devastating for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Through the years, there have been many back-and-forth negotiations between the parties, but we believe the Clinton Parameters, offered to the Israelis and Palestinians by President Bill Clinton on December 23, 2000, are a solid place to resume talks.
Although this deal got closer than many of the others, there is no question there are tricky issues involved – the Palestinian right of return to Israel, concerns about lack of land contiguity, Israel’s continued settlement building in the West Bank, and sovereignty over the Temple Mount remain major points of contention, just to name a few. But our hope is that these parameters can serve as a starting point for further negotiations.
As President Clinton said at the time, “I believe this is the outline of a fair and lasting agreement. It gives the Palestinian people the ability to determine their future on their own land, a sovereign and viable state recognized by the international community, al-Quds as its capital, sovereignty over the Haram, and new lives for the refugees. It gives the people of Israel a genuine end to the conflict, real security, the preservation of sacred religious ties, the incorporation of 80 percent of the settlers into Israel, and the largest Jewish Jerusalem in history, recognized by all as your capital.”
The time has come to resolve this destructive, heartbreaking situation once and for all.