Does the Jewish state have a right to exist?
Yes, besides ideological, religious or historical justification or the fact Israel has existed for 65 years and also that it is a successful country and has defended it's right to exist multiple times; Israel has many legal frameworks underpinning it's existance (more than most countries in fact) including the San Remo conference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Remo_conference and the 1947 UN vote
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_..._for_Palestine
It is a sad reflection of the anti-Israel mentality that no one asks the same question of that other state partitioned at the exact time as Israel and also as a religious homeland (and also leading to a territorial dispute, refugees, wars); Pakistan.
It must also be pointed out that 79% of the British Mandate of Palestine was already illegally given to the Arabs by Britain after the San Remo conference when Jordan was formed;
How are the ties between Israelis and Palestinians both historically and in the modern time?
Not great, neither side trusts the other to a large extent. Blame is mainly on the Palestinian leadership and their absolutist agenda and failure to accept the partition plan of 1947 and famous "three no's ;"
"no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khartoum_Resolution
. Historically about 80% Palestinians are descended from Islamised Jews/Israelites/Samaritans so relations were fine.
What treaties were enacted to create peace between the two?
1949 Lausanne Conference
1978 Camp David Accords
1991 Madrid Conference
1993 Oslo I / 1995 Oslo II
1997 Hebron Protocol
1998 Wye River Memorandum
1998 Sharm el-Sheikh
2000 Camp David / Parameters
2001 Taba
2003 Road Map
2007 Annapolis
What do you say about the settlements?
Mainly what I've said here;
http://www.theapricity.com/forum/sho...ast-peace-plan
How are the leaders of both of the countries today?
The Israeli leadership is better due to Israel democracy, rule of law, transparancy but both sides have had corrupt leaders but Israel is better at prostecuting and convicting it's corrupt leaders whereas the Palestinians tend to get away with it. Abbas is currently in the Abbas In 9th Year of 4 Year Term to give you a comparison of Palestinian democracy.
How are the minorities in Israel treated?
They have full rights under Israeli law theorecticallty so generally not too bad given that Israeli-Arabs represent a people at war with Jews for over 65 years. All religions are respected with each responsible for certain things; eg births, deaths, marriages.
Any suggestions as to how this whole issue could be resolved?
http://www.theapricity.com/forum/sho...ast-peace-plan
http://www.theapricity.com/forum/sho...-Plan-(Part-2)
http://www.theapricity.com/forum/sho...ppled-Resource
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