Since both Palestine and Israel have claims to the land, but don't seem to be able to do a one- or two-state solution, how about a hybrid-state solution for Palestine-Israel, to have one border, but two governments?

There are two states already, it's just that one of them is unofficial. This is one of those truisms that flies in the face of things like international diplomacy, official recognition, and other niceties, but it doesn't make it any less true. What the unofficial state (the one controlled by the Palestinian Authority) faces, of course, is that it's not entirely happy about the borders as currently defined, it perceives the continued development of Israeli settlements as occupation of territory it eventually assumes it will control, and it doesn't get a lot of the rights and privileges a true state gets. But it does, in fact, govern Gaza and a significant portion of the area known as the "West Bank" of the Jordan and its clear that absent some radical change in Israeli politics those lands are forever ceded to the Palestinians. Israel, in fact, has more than signaled its intentions to cede additional territory to that very Palestinian Authority it doesn't recognize as the government of anything. Consider the path of the Israeli "wall" around the West Bank: And then look at the areas officially under Palestian control: Does anyone really believe Israel has a long-term plan to keep part of its own territory outside of its own wall? This would be like the Soviets saying, "No, no, no, that part of West Berlin, we meant to keep that, so its ours." Truthfully, if the Israelis and Palestinians could govern together -- even in a limited way -- its pretty likely the trust level would've allowed for the Oslo deal to have finished this mess in the 1990s. Not finished in the sense that there would never have been another conflict, but finished in the sense that there'd be a current agreement that both sides signed off on (there is currently no such thing as the 1967 borders are not acceptable to Israel and quite possibly not acceptable to the Palestinians, but that's another matter). The current Israeli government is content with the status quo because it believes it to be tenable in the long run. But the fact remains that within some short period of time, a minority Israeli government will technically be ruling over a majority Palestinian population that is fenced into specific territories in the country without general freedom to travel in the rest of the country and without the full rights of other Israeli citizens. (Please note, I say this as a Jewish person who firmly believes in Israel's right to exist, to defend itself, and to be a Jewish homeland, but....) The closest analogue in modern times to what's happening there is, unfortunately, apartheid South Africa. There's simply no way in a world that has since seen the breakup of Czechoslovakia into two counties, the breakup of Yugoslavia into five countries and one somewhat autonomous region, the separation of Eritrea from Ethiopia, the separation of East Timor from Indonesia, the separation of South Sudan from Sudan, that Israel will be able to maintain this kind of situation on a permanent basis. Something's gotta give. And while I doubt it will be clean or pretty, it will probably institutionalize the de facto two-state solution that already exists, with the possibility of a long-term border dispute over part of Jerusalem and other small areas. Such a situation exists between India and Pakistan with respect to Kashmir and while neither side is happy about it, both are nuclear armed, and there is periodic violence, both countries continue to exist and at least one of them is thriving, relatively speaking.

Rather than a 1.5-state solution, I think a 2.5-state agreement is the only way it would work. Palestine, Israel, and an independent, multinational Jerusalem. Jerusalem seems to be the major sticking point (there are others). Taking it out of the equation completely would make solving the other problems easier.

This unfortunately makes no logical sense, as people have the right and the legitimate desire for self determination, and neither of our 2 sides wishes to become immersed with the other, for many good reasons - Government and self rule comprise a significant part of this desired identity. The only way forward is a 2 state solution with borders set after BOTH sides have made some concessions, and by BOTH I hint very clearly to the Palestinian side realizing that no one gets 100% of their demands in a negotiation. It is high time the Palestinians made some concession, as they have made none since the Madrid talks in 1991 and look what that got them. It is very clear by now Israel will wave all of Gaza, and the greater - over 92% - part of the West Bank, and allow some Palestinian rule in East Jerusalem, so there is no need for anyone to wave a magic wand and invent 1.5 or 1.75 states. Sorry. Oh, and there's that obvious thing a peace accord being the end of all mutual demands, as this is what PEACE means. An Arab leader saying this for the first time ever in Arabic, would buy some much needed credit with Israeli public opinion. It's all there, Abbas needs to do what Arafat wouldn't, and than no Netanyahu or Liberman in the world could prevent history from taking place.

Jews lived as minority in different countries throughout the history and see where it got us around 1945. There's no chance that Israel will agree to a solution that will bring in millions of Palestinians which will become the majority. Israel has to stay Jewish in nature in our pov.

Technically, that's what Israel is today. The citizens of Israel today comprise about 20% Arabs and they have equal representation in the Kenesset. Mosques are funded and preserved under the Israeli government, and rights are protected just like any other citizen. In general Israeli Arabs have it very good. The PA Arabs and Hamas Arabs (often incorrectly termed "Palestinian" people) do not want any part of that however. It is spelled out in the PLO charter that they (at least their elected leadership) want nothing but full sovereignty over the land. Furthermore, it is stated clearly in the PLO charter that "armed struggle is the only way to liberate Palestine." So, in summary, there is absolutely nothing for them to compromise and nothing to negotiate about. Hence, any idea - even something creative like this 1.5 hyrbid solution that you suggest - is not tenable given the stated goals of the PA and Hamas.

The third option could be defined in terms of the Allon Plan, first suggested in the 1960's. Interestingly Benny Morris in his book One State, Two States, Resolving the Israel/Palestine Conflict, suggests a return to this plan. What this basically entails is that what is left of Palestine is transferred into a sort of Jordanian confederation, or in other words, annexed by Jordan. hope this helps, Alex

Because that wouldn't work with Israel. They're in the process of ethnically cleansing the gentiles (both Christians and Muslims) that were living there for 1200 years. They want it all, and will not compromise. They make sure the dominant narrative in the mainstream news media remain that it's a back and forth war, that the Israelis want peace, but the Palestinians don't, that the Palestinians want death for the Jews more than progress for themselves... it's all BS and lies. Here's the Israeli agenda played out over the last few decades, it's clearly a land grab: And here's how our (US) news media has been corrupted: (You can skip to 12:30 for a summary if you want).  You see, corrupting the news media to control public sensibility, and corrupting US foreign policy is all part of the plan called Zionism. They can't do jack without our US tax money to fuel their war machine and economy. Demand justice people, this is going to go down as one of the worst crimes against humanity in recorded history, speak up and say "not in our name!" Be anti-Zionist, it's NOT the same as being anti-semetic, that's what they'll tell you, but it's a lie. There are maaaany anti-Zionist jews, example: http://jewsagainstzionism.com It's all very sad, don't believe Fox News and CNN, dig deeper. It's your tax dollars, and it's being done in your name, and it's your elected politicians that are being manipulated.

Sadly, emotions have and will continue to trump logic in the Palestine Israel situation. Your proposed solution may be something that could be considered in an ideal world but in the present day when neither side acknowledges the legitimacy of the other, it is a moot point.

One land, two governments is an innovative suggestion. However, I cannot see how this could ever be made to work in practice. That's not a Palestine / Israel thing. The sheer number of hoops that would have to be jumped through and contorted to make it work could not be executed on in reality. Two lands, two governments (aka the two state solution) would require a lot that neither side would be ready to give up, and would also not resolve issues such as the apartheid treatment of Palestinians inside Israel or the return of the Palestinian refugees. Unless, that is, a part of the plan were to complete the ethnic cleansing programme and drive all indigenous Palestinians from their homes in Israel so that Israel could be at once Jewish and democratic. But even then, there would remain many Palestinians who would resent being driven from their homes in Israel, and many Jews and a significant number of settlers who believe that they have a right over the West Bank (or Judea and Samaria as they call it). South Africa tried to impose multi-state solutions by use of the bantustans, which resembles in many ways what Israel is trying to do with the Palestinians. But that gave no justice to the blacks within South Africa, and no realistic prospects for full statehood to the bantustans. It would be the same (indeed already looks the same) in Palestine and Israel. So a two state solution would be temporary and unjust. Two people one land is the only one that could work. It would not be easy (and that's some understatement). The hatred between the two peoples, the Jews on the one hand, and the Christians and Muslims of Palestine on the other, runs deep. But hatred is an easier obstacle to overcome than continued ethnic cleansing and apartheid. And short of outright annihilation of one side by the other, it is the only solution that in a couple of generations would have a chance of success. One state, with true equality for all its inhabitants regardless of religious or ethnic beliefs, with Jerusalem as its capital as both peoples want it to be, and a common interest in the success of the country.