An intriguing theory has made the rounds in the scientific community for many years, claiming the existence of ''parallel universes,'' worlds that resemble ours but in which one event may have turned differently, sending the entire course of history in a different direction.
The concept has proved irresistible to science fiction writers and amateur historians, pondering what would have happened if, for example, Hitler's mother had crossed the street just in time to be fatally hit by an Austria trolley, sparing us World War II. Or, if Ralph Nader discovered a new hobby and decided to focus his attention on something other than the 2000 presidential election, clearing the way for Al Gore to become president.
Parallel universe
As the Middle East prepares to mark 60 years since the founding of the modern state of Israel, one can only wonder if in a parallel universe, an organizing committee is busy preparing streamers and confetti to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Palestine.
In November 1947, the United Nations voted to partition a territory that Britain had inherited from the dying Ottoman Empire after World War I. Already three-quarters of the territory of Palestine had been relinquished years earlier by Winston Churchill, creating an Arab country in what is now Jordan. The United Nations decided that Britain should withdraw from what was left of colonial Palestine and voted to divide the remaining land three ways: one Jewish state, one Arab state and an international territory in the city of Jerusalem.
The U.N.-proposed boundaries represented a deep disappointment for the Jews and for Arabs. Jewish leaders accepted the partition, although many argued that the Jews had an ancient right to much more of the land. Arab countries rejected the U.N. decision and prepared for war.
Attack by five countries
In a parallel universe, Arabs and Jews both decided that the U.N. decision, flawed as it was, had to be accepted. British forces left in an orderly fashion, and two countries -- Israel and Palestine -- shared a birthplace and a birthday.
Instead, in our painful reality, Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948, and was immediately attacked by the armies of five Arab countries. When the war ended, Egypt held the Gaza Strip and Jordan controlled the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Perhaps in another parallel universe, Jordan and Egypt decided to hand that territory to Palestinians after the war, creating the first ever Palestinian state.
But in our universe that did not happen. There were many more wars to come.
In 1967, another war confronted Israel against the forces of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. In six days, Israel emerged with control of Gaza and the West Bank. In a parallel universe, the land was the bargaining chip successfully exchanged for peace and security.
The three No's
In our universe, Israeli Gen. Igal Yalon proposed a land-for-peace trade with those territories, but little had changed. Arab countries met in Khartoum and issued their ''Three No's'' declaration: No peace, no recognition and no negotiations with Israel. In another parallel universe, perhaps Israel pushed harder for a land-for-peace trade, despite the sense of national exhilaration that followed the victory of the Six Day War. Perhaps in that universe, with a greater effort from Israel, Arabs agreed to rescind their Three No's.
In our universe, however, no hint of peace came until 1973, when Egypt and Israel agreed to the first peace treaty between Arabs and Israelis, but that did not end the conflict.
The lost chances for peace have been many, with both sides missing opportunities to take more risks that could change the course of history.
In a parallel universe, Yasser Arafat did not walk out of the Camp David meeting with Bill Clinton and Ehud Barak. Instead, he objected to certain provisions and stayed to negotiate until the best chance for peace in half a century was turned into reality.
Lies that instill hatred
In a parallel universe, Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace, with vibrant trade and cultural exchanges, neighbors not unlike Belgium and the Netherlands. In a parallel universe each country has less territory than it would like, but both governments focus on progress, freedom and prosperity for their people. In a parallel universe, the children of Gaza are not subjected to vicious lies that instill hatred, such as the April 18 television program that told them the Holocaust was organized by the ''Satanic Jews'' to get rid of the weak and the handicapped. In stead, in that other world, Hamas agrees to accept Israel's existence and Palestinian children are in fused with an appreciation for the benefits of peace and coexistence.
In that universe, Israel and Palestine now prepare to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of their twin nations.
Frida Ghitis writes on global affairs.
