Sometimes, the one-state solution to the Israel/Palestine issue is presented as a new, 21st-century idea. But it is actually decades old. Noam Chomsky was advocating it back in the early 1970s. As proof it could work he pointed to two examples of complicated populations living in harmonious co-existence: Lebanon and Yugoslavia. Seriously! Then, bloody civil war and ethnic conflicts tore both countries to pieces, with Yugoslavia exploding into five nation states.

Good one, Noam. It was as if he had suggested that a good way of extinguishing smouldering flames was to pour fire over them. When it became clear what a wretched, explosively-flawed idea it was, the one-state solution to the Israel/Palestine question was rightly shelved by its embarrassed proponents.

Then, about seven years ago, the anti-Israel movement suddenly thought: ‘Hey, whatever happened to that petrol over flames idea?’ and out it came again.

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This is my latest column for the Jewish Chronicle:

The Hasidim might not be much interested in the mainstream media but that does not stop the mainstream media from being fascinated with the Hasidim. The BBC’s Stamford Hill documentary Wonderland: A Hasidic Guide to Love, Marriage and Finding a Bride has ignited new, negative headlines about the community. Many of the locals are outraged at the “unrepresentative” nature of the programme that featured at its heart a Hasid who had served time for money-laundering related to drugs.

A new movie, Holy Rollers, starring Jessie Eisenberg (Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network) is about a young Hasid lured into corruption and crime – and once again drugs feature prominently.

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Congratulations to the Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY) for its Aim Higher event which was a successful and interesting and inspiring experience. An early highlight came when Rabbi Rowe spoke to us about Zionism using the Torah, Talmud and other Jewish texts as springboards for discussion. I could have listened to him all day.

Following that, I gave my presentation. It was about my love of Israel, effective online advocacy, and the campaign for Gilad Shalit. The question-and-answer section was good fun, including banter about Aroma Ice Coffee, a question about my ‘Bamba Republic’ t-shirt, and one audience member taking me to task on my latest Jewish Chronicle column.

I got great feedback about my talk, which is always nice. Thanks to everyone who came. (I’m doing a similar speech at a very special venue next Sunday – details to follow.)

Then Gilad Shalit’s cousin Hemda and grandfather Zvi spoke about their experiences. As you might expect, it was an emotional session, but also an inspiring one. Did you know that Gilad’s great grandfather was killed in the Shoah, and that his uncle was killed in IDF service in the Golan? All of that tragedy in the family’s heritage, and now Gilad’s ongoing incarceration.

In the face of this, the family’s dignity, strength and determination are admirable. As I’ve written before, I support their call for the Israeli government to make a deal for Gilad. I explained my thinking here. I had a lovely chat with Hemda and Zvi after their talk . Hemda is fantastic fun. She told me: ‘Oy Va Goy – you’re an honorary Jew.’ Good luck to them.

There followed further discussions, an aliyah fair and the singing of Hatikvah, before the Aim Higher day came to an end. A few of us popped up the road for shawarma and the like. Jews have got to eat, so have honorary Jews. Over our food we discussed good old Simon Cowell: one-by-one the ingredients of a perfect day were being ticked.

Kol hakovod once again to the FZY for an inspiring day. The UK’s Zionist movement has a bright future with young people like these in our midst. Keep going!

I thought I’d remind you of two forthcoming events of interest. On Monday, StandWithUs UK’s fascinating Voices from the Middle East series continues. Hasan Afzal and Houriya Ahmed will speak about The Politicised Voices on UK Campuses. Hasan is the inspiring director of British Muslims For Israel. You can read more about the Voices… series here.

On Sunday, I will be speaking at the FZY’s Aim Higher event. More importantly, so will two members of Gilad Shalit’s family. So come along, listen to their story and show them you care.

Speaking of Gilad, I am interested to learn that Israel’s Homeland Security Minister Vilna’i has argued that ‘a big price must be paid, involving the release of major murderers, to retrieve him’. A panel of former chiefs of Mossad, Shin Bet and the IDF made the same call in April. In every survey I have read, the majority of the Israeli public also support a deal for Gilad.

For what it’s worth, I agree with them, for the reasons I outlined here. You might also like to read of an interesting initiative to raise awareness of Gilad’s plight here.

Anyway, I hope to see you at one – or both! – of the aforementioned events. Also, see this weekend’s Jewish Chronicle for another column from yours truly.