Under these circumstances. perhaps. forces within the Israel Government could be in a stronger position. for instance. to at least consider the possibility of suggesting that the Palestinian organizations also be invited to negotiate directly with Israel with the possibility of an independent Palestinian state formed in the west bank area of Jordan which has been occupied by Israel since the 7day war. as suggested by Schlomo Avineri. of Hebrew University. The Palestinians would have everything to gain from this kind of arrangement. It would begin to solve the refugee problem. It would give the Palestinians a legal base with which to negotiate with other Arab countries. It would indicate a willingness on the part of Israel to accept the fact of Arab nationalist interests.