Andrew, I love talking on Medium. My best way to grow my perspective is to chat with those having pretty different perspectives. Thanks!

I read a summary of Friedman's book I am not sure that gave me the real substance of his argument about the conflict.

But I wonder if the better way of saying it is that there are periods where more on one side or the other are willing to compromise. But I am not sure there has ever been a time with the Palestinians were ready to sign for peace w/o getting right of return. And usually a demand that Jerusalem becomes their capital. the former in particular is pretty hard to Israel to accept.

The real killer of any chance for the Oslo accords was the switch in gov in Israel. But I think this was really precipitated in large part by attacks from Hamas.

So it seems to me the issue is that there are folks on both sides that are not willing to compromise. But on the Palestinian side they have "veto" power provided by taking terrorist action.

By the way, here is my argument about what things cannot move forward two a two state solution. And what one might do instead. I would love to get your reaction! (I just wrote it)

https://dan-o.medium.com/breaking-the-gordian-knot-b7ff0b51f405