A three-state solution, whereby Gaza reverts to Egyptian control and the West Bank becomes part of Jordan, has been tried before and worked, argues Dr Martin A Smith. Plus letters from Janet Dubé and Mike Reed
I disagree with Chris McGreal that the two-state option offers the only sustainable solution to the Israel-Palestinian dispute (The two-state solution has been a diplomatic failure. It’s also still the best answer we’ve got, 6 November). The three-state alternative, whereby Gaza reverts to Egyptian control and the West Bank again becomes part of Jordan, has proven benefits.
We know this can succeed in stabilising the situation because it did so effectively from 1949 to 1967, when it was only upended by continuing interstate disputes between Israel and its Arab neighbours. In neither case was Egyptian and Jordanian control entirely free of coercive elements, so it is noteworthy that their rule provoked very little Palestinian resistance. They also acted effectively to limit armed attacks by Palestinian fighters on Israel.
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