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Israeli historian outlines two-state plan

Israeli historian Alexander Yakobson says if the historic region of Palestine is divided into two states, it should be done without removing settlers.

Yakobson said told Friday's Haaretz evacuating settlers from the region is impractical, instead suggesting settlers remain where they currently are and simply exist as a Jewish minority in a new Palestinian state.

Israeli soldiers will simply withdraw to the new border to exist on territory where Israel has sovereignty, Yakobson added.

The historian said the plan to allow settlers to remain where they are would lead to a more rational border in the region since Israel has struggled to create a border that would leave a majority of settlers inside Israeli territory.

Yakobson said by not forcing settlers to evacuate or relocate, Israel would have to offer significantly less financial compensation since settlers are not compensated for a change in a territory's political status.
Read entire article at UPI