Isreal and the Palestinian Occupied Territories: Military-Political Issues in the Debate
Abstract:
A study of Israeli view on the disposition of the West Benk and the Gaza Strip. Relatively domant since the conclusion of Israels War of Independence in 1948-1949, the Palestinian problem as an issue of Israeli policy was revived by the addition in 1967 of the million Arabs to the 400,000 already in Israel. Sharp internal debate produced a wide range of ideas for disposition of the conquered Palestinian territories, from annexation to the return of all areas except Jerusalem to their previous Arab ruler--including creation of a Palestinian state. Due to the lack of a consensus, the government took no official position. The debate concentrated primarily on the extent to which the territories would improve Israels security, their significance in Jewish history, and their large, nationally conscious Arab population.