Israeli military occupation in the Jordan Valley is fairly widespread. Bedouin communities have little say, and any illegally built structure will be destroyed. Mostly nomads, these people get along however they can. Prime Minister Netanyahu said last March that ““Israel will never cede the Jordan valley,” and why should they?
Some suggest that a buffer zone on the eastern bank of the Jordan be drawn to increase relations between Jews and Arabs, as well as to protect Israel from invasion, and to allow eventual peaceful withdrawal from the West Bank. Americans have proposed Israelis lease this fertile territory for a decade to increase positive discussion between Arabs and Jews. But Palestinians don’t like that idea. Unfortunately for them, they may have to concede, if they want their own territory.
Around the rest of the Middle East, there have been many elections fraught with rigging. Egypt’s election was bogus, and among the Middle Eastern countries only three are legitimate democracies, with great problems besides. While there may be many reasons for this, foremost among them are oil and custom. Monies from oil make power transfers worthless; the state doesn’t need to bargain with its citizens. The idea of fairly losing becomes too risky. Custom furthers this ideology.
As a result, Israel is surrounded by the least democratic countries in the world. No wonder they don’t want to leave the Jordan Valley.
