Reckoning With Israel’s ‘One-State Reality’

The "one-state reality" across the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea has moved from a theoretical framework to an undeniable geopolitical fact. Political scientists Shibley Telhami and Marc Lynch argue that the two-state solution is a defunct fantasy, as Israel has established permanent, sovereign control over the West Bank and Gaza through a differentiated legal regime that subjugates Palestinians. This structural domination is reinforced by a massive expansion of settlements, the erosion of the Palestinian Authority’s governing capacity, and a shift in Israeli security strategy toward "escalation dominance." Following October 7th, these trends have accelerated, with Israel increasingly operating without regard for international norms or diplomatic constraints. This consolidation of power, supported by American military and diplomatic shielding, creates a volatile, long-term apartheid-like system that threatens both regional stability and the democratic foundations of the involved states.