a sort of "autonomy" for the Palestinians — is an illusion at best, and the first step of an upcoming blame game at worst. It will be brutally rejected by our closest friends — not to mention by each of the potential partners for the regional agreement — and by all of them together. This too 1s not a mere assessment. ¢ The claim that the events of the past year "prove" that Israel's vital security needs are incompatible with the "two-state solution" — is false. And I'm stating this as a professional position, not a political opinion. ¢ On the contrary — the IDF will be able to defend Israel better from an internationally recognized border that includes the settlement blocs, a number of strategic sites on mountain ridge, a security zone east of Ben Gurion Airport and long-term military presence on the Jordan River. ¢ The real threat to the future of the HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_028915