(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Alan Baker - The 1947 Partition Plan adopted on November 29, 1947, recognized the uniqueness of Jerusalem and the Jewish people's bond to the city, while establishing the principle of two states for two peoples. Had the Arabs agreed to live with the resolution as the Israelis did, despite its drawbacks, we would be in a different situation today with far fewer bereaved families on both sides. Because of the Arabs' rejection of the resolution and their decision to fight its implementation, all claims about Israel's rights are still valid and remain unchanged until agreement on a permanent settlement is reached, contravening any assertion by the UN and the Europeans about the territory belonging to the Palestinians. The writer served as legal adviser and deputy director-general of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Israel's ambassador to Canada.
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