Resolution 242 further states (in part): "Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area.."
But then, surely, that doesn't mean "all" states of belligerency, does it?
See? Doesn't that clarify Resolution 242 for everybody? Both sides are living up to the agreement. What's the problem?
You’re right, among the principles 242 set’s out, is a call for for termination of all states of belligerency, violated on numerous occasions by the arab states.
And it calls for negotiating a withdrawl "from territories”, not "all", the result of negotiations prior to the resolutions adoption which recognized Israel would need to retain some territory for defensive reasons.
The Pentagon’s interpritation of "defensive borders" in 74 is below, similar to the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommendation in 68. You’ll note it suggests Israel retains about 60% of the West Bank, returning the rest to Jordan, all of Gaza and chunks of the Sinai, returning the rest to Egypt. If instituted, this plan would have returned well over 80% of the disputed territory while providing secure boundries for Israel.
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The Joint Chiefs speaking in 68
The Chiefs made the following specific findings:
"The prominent high ground running north-south through the middle of West Jordan [Judea and Samaria] generally...would provide Israel with a militarily defensible border."
"The commanding territory east of the boundary of 4 June 1967 [the Golan Heights]...overlooks the Galilee area. To provide a defense in-depth, Israel would need a strip about 15 miles wide extending from the border of Lebanon to the border of Jordan."
"By occupying the Gaza Strip, Israel would trade approximately 45 miles of hostile border for eight. Configured as it [was prior to 1967], the strip serve[d] as a salient for introduction of Arab subversion and terrorism and its retention would be to Israel's military advantage."
"To defend the Jerusalem area would require that the boundary of Israel be positioned to the east of the city to provide for the organization of an adequate defensive position."