Article

2004-04-17 Israel-Palestine

Sharon Plan Includes 2005 Gaza Pullback

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Posted by Steve White 2004-04-17 12:43:53 AM|| || Front Page|| [11125 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I'm generally pro-Israel in every aspect but I confess to not understanding the settlements issue. I can see why some sections of the West Bank are strategically vital but why on earth would anyone want to live in such a neighborhood?!

Posted by Anonymous4272 2004-04-17 7:07:19 AM|| 2004-04-17 7:07:19 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 IIUC the settlements were two things:
1) a bargaining chip for the government in any negotiations
2) For the settlers, many of whom are more extreme Zionists, they constituted facts on the ground in a greater Israel, hoping eventually to claim much of the west bank

ineveitably, they are security drains on the state, many are isolated and surrounded except for access roads. Bad situation

Posted by Frank G 2004-04-17 9:19:24 AM|| 2004-04-17 9:19:24 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Also militarily the settlements provide a secure starting point for operations in the West Bank or Gaza. If terrorists have a longer period of time to react to a move against them then less will be achieved.

Posted by A 2004-04-17 9:31:46 AM|| 2004-04-17 9:31:46 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 I think this is the really a sad situation. Americans need to understand that we will never have any peace and security in the world until the Palestinians are given a just and fair deal. I compare this latest stunt by Sharon like China taking over Texas, rounding all the Texans up and putting them in concentration camps for over 50 years and building housing for chinees imigrants in Texas all against international law and UN resolutions. Then offering a deal where the settlements are built that land will be anexed to china because now it is a fact on the ground. It is so ridiculous! I know we all love to hate the arabs but this is not right and breeds hate and hate breeds violence and violence robs our security. If you support a jewish state then give them a state in the US like New York, we Can even change the name to Jew York.

Posted by Anonymous4273 2004-04-17 12:02:39 PM|| 2004-04-17 12:02:39 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 [Off-topic or abusive comments deleted]

Posted by Antiwar TROLL 2004-04-17 12:24:14 PM|| 2004-04-17 12:24:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Idiots on parade how wonderful.

Posted by djohn66 2004-04-17 1:26:29 PM|| 2004-04-17 1:26:29 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Anonymous4272> Settlements have been a tool used by other countries as well -- Turkey has sent many dozens of thousands of settlers to northern Cyprus. Several byzantine emperors had also used settlements as a tool to closer bind to them areas of their empire. I'm sure that examples must be bountiful throughout history.

It's the other side of ethnic cleansing, except a bit more civilized -- instead of driving the other people away to grab hold of a territory, you simply put your own people there to accomplish the same purpose.

In one word the answer would be "imperialism". I don't have much sympathy for the settlements policy at all.

Posted by Aris Katsaris 2004-04-17 2:05:17 PM|| 2004-04-17 2:05:17 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 IMO, the settlements need to go -- ALL of them. Hopefully the Israelis realize this and they are only on the table as a bargaining chip.

The "right of return", however, is ridiculous and would be suicidal for Israel, and I'm glad that it is openly and flatly rejected.

Posted by Anonymous4277 2004-04-17 2:40:30 PM|| 2004-04-17 2:40:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Comment #8 = docob

Posted by docob 2004-04-17 2:41:29 PM|| 2004-04-17 2:41:29 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 It's all about Jerusalem. My solution is to allow only one holy city per religion. Fair enough, IMO.

Posted by Rafael 2004-04-17 4:48:26 PM|| 2004-04-17 4:48:26 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 Off-topic or abusive comments deleted]

Posted by Antiwar 2004-04-17 12:24:14 PM|| 2004-04-17 12:24:14 PM|| Front Page Top

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