It is fair to criticize the Israelis for being obstructionist dicks in implementing a two-state solution, that’s true. And it’s also true that there’s a tension as long as one side wants two states and one side will only settle for one.
But the piece missing in all this is the existence of highly motivated outside actors who benefit mightily from an ongoing conflict where they can moderate the gas. More than “benefit,” there are capable and wealthy actors whose internal and external legitimacy depends on defending the oppressed Palestinians and who would have real problems if the Palestinians are no longer being oppressed.
Iran being the obvious answer but no one should be shocked that the most strident “one staters” live in Qatar and that the “one state” terrorist party pays its bills with Gulf money.
This reveals both the limits of Israeli political maneuvering and U.S. power, the continued existence of an Israel-Palestine conflict is a core interest for these states. Again, this is from the Russian playbook.
There will never be a unified Palestinian authority to negotiate a two state solution with until Iran, Qatar, and others tell the people on their payroll “you are never getting one state and you’re falling off the payroll if you don’t get in line with this new direction.”
Which is basically, “never.”