We can't walk away from it and expect things to get better. I think the idea that if people just had more pain and suffering, it might create an opportunity for a resolution that wasn't there before, is just wrong.

Depends on the definition of "better". It can't get much worse. I agree with the other poster that the only thing that could work is pain. However, the Palestinians are suffering maximum pain at this point, and if they can't stop Hamas (offer them up to Israel), then there is no hope.

Given what you've been saying, I'm surprised your relatives there think an equivalent to Samoa or the Marshall Islands is possible. You don't seem to, and I agree. Not gonna happen. I don't doubt that your relatives don't want to "kill them all", but the alternative is they and their children not knowing from one day to the next if a missile is going to crash into their home or school, or a bomb goes off in their favorite deli, or maybe on the bus they take to work. Given that choice, I'd want "them" gone. Just for self preservation.

We can discuss the history, and Rabin's efforts to rein-in his "side". But going forward we (they) have to deal with what's in front of them. US presence is NOT helping, and continuing to arm Israel is dividing the country (and in some circles making us more of a pariah than we already are). It perhaps won't solve their problems, but it will help with some of ours if we just walk away.

If we could fix it, I'd be all for it. But I don't believe we can.