“There is plenty of room for discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but comparisons to other conflicts and problems are relevant insofar as they might provide possible solutions.”
I don’t want to speak about the conflicts, but about a declaration of Independence.

Few ago, Kosovo, being part of Serbia within Internationally Recognised Borders, was allowed to become independent. The reasons behind it are not really the problem.
The strong advocate for it was the USA.

The same USA will veto the Palestinian to do so, even if the ICJ gave a opinion about self-proclaimed Independence. It ruled out that by itself, a declaration of Independence is not illegal.

So the USA are actually in a position to explain why, in one case, carving one territory and declaring independence is the thing to do, and in the other case, to just try to keep what was left to you and to be recognise is not…
Then, the other question is why the USA is opposing this move. Israel has others hostile neighbours and their independence was not revoked…

“So before 1967 were Gaza and the West Bank occupied?” I may be wrong, but before it was part of the Jordan. I think it is in 1968 that Hussein decided that Palestinians were no more his responsibility…

“American/Western foreign policy is much more idealistic than the likes of the foreign policy of China or Russia.” Err, where? I think they are equal in aim and goals.