Israel to Disarm Settlers in West Bank

AP/Newsday ^ | 4/11/05 | JOSEF FEDERMAN

[kiriath_jearim]

Israel to Disarm Settlers in West Bank

By JOSEF FEDERMAN Associated Press Writer

April 11, 2005, 12:29 PM EDT

JERUSALEM -- Jewish settlers in four West Bank settlements will be disarmed about two weeks before they are to be removed from their homes this summer, Israeli military officials said Monday. But settlers said they would not give up their weapons.

The showdown, reflecting growing concern that resistance to a West Bank pullback will be intense, came as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told NBC's "Today" in an interview aired Monday that "now for the first time steps I'm taking to protect me from Jews."

Referring to the mood in Israel, Sharon told NBC: "The tension here, the atmosphere here looks like the eve of the civil war. All my life I was defending life of Jews. Now for the first time, steps I'm taking to protect me from Jews."

Sharon made the comments hours before meeting President Bush at his Crawford, Texas, ranch. Sharon had dinner with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at his hotel Sunday night.

Sharon said that, despite the internal tensions, he was optimistic that peace with the Palestinians could be reached.

The army said it will provide adequate security for settlers. Military officials have long planned for the possibility of Palestinian attacks on soldiers and settlers during the withdrawal.

A 2-month-old cease-fire has become strained in recent days, following the killing of three Palestinian youths by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip and retaliatory shelling by militants.

[yellowdoghunter]

Thanks for posting this. I dread what may be getting ready to happen. I hope it is worth it in the end. I see both sides of the story and am glad I don't have to make the final decision. God Bless Israel.

[stevio]

People look at Israel as a gun-friendly country. Only if the government "allows" you.

[wideawake]

Oh, that's a nice precedent for the Sharon government to follow. I'm sure JPFO will be delighted.

[Piranha]

It's like watching a slow-motion train wreck. Israel will emerge out of Sharon's folly badly scathed.

[marvlus]

Apparently there are Jews that do not want peace, just as there are Palestinians that do not want peace. Each side has to do some give and take, if there is ever going to be a chance.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Jews disarming Jews? Doubt it will work.

You'd think they'd learn that a lot of Jews would never allow themselves to be disarmed ever again...

[marvlus]

I think they're talking about the illegal settlers, not all Jews.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Even if they are illegal, I doubt they will give up their guns...

[Alouette]

Apparently there are Jews that do not want peace, just as there are Palestinians that do not want peace.

And how exactly is taking guns away from Jews and forcibly removing them from their homes going to bring "peace"?

Each side has to do some give and take

Israel gives and the Palestinians take. It's a one way street.

[Alouette]

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel ping list.

WARNING: This is a high volume ping list

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

Wonderful ideas. There haven't been any attacks in hours now.

Vehicles Damaged in Rocket Attack in Netzarim

19:40 Apr 11, '05 / 2 Nisan 5765

(IsraelNN.com) A number of vehicles were damaged when a Kassam rocket landed in the Gaza community of Netzarim a short time ago. There are no immediate reports of injuries.

……….

Mortar Shell Attacks in Gaza

19:00 Apr-11-05

(IsraelNN.com) Mortar shell attacks are being reported in Netzarim and Rafiah Yam. There are no immediate reports of injuries.

……….

Enemy Gunfire at IDF Post in Gaza Region

18:30 Apr 11, '05 / 2 Nisan 5765

(IsraelNN.com) Enemy gunmen fired at an IDF position this afternoon along the Karni-Netzarim Route in the Gaza region. There were no injuries in the attack.

……….

And in non-Gaza news, the last few hours, on the road to peace.

Arab Rock-Throwers Cause Car Accident

18:05 Apr 11, '05 / 2 Nisan 5765

(IsraelNN.com) As a result of an attack by Arab rock-throwers near the village of Funduk, in Samaria, one person was slightly injured. The injuries were the result of a car accident caused when the driver lost control as a result of the attack. The attackers were targeting Israeli vehicles on the thoroughfare.

……….

Hizbullah Drone Overflew Israeli Towns

19:30 Apr 11, '05 / 2 Nisan 5765

(IsraelNN.com) The Lebanese television station of the Hizbullah, Al-Manar, is reporting that a drone - a pilotless aircraft - was recently sent by the terrorist organization into Israeli airspace, from where it returned unharmed. The Hizbullah says that the drone flew over towns in the north of Israel.

IDF sources confirm that a Hizbullah drone did, in fact, fly over the western Galilee this afternoon. Airforce planes were scrambled to the area of infiltration. The military is still reviewing the circumstances of the incident.

In November of last year, the Hizbullah made a similar claim, even airing footage shot from over Israel's coast. At the time, Israel air force officials said that the spy craft was in the air over northern Israel for about five minutes before crashing.

……….

"Expected Escalation on the Northern Border"

16:47 Apr 11, '05 / 2 Nisan 5765

(IsraelNN.com) "There is an expectation of escalation on the northern border," according to Brigadier-General Gadi Shamni, head of the IDF's General-Staff Operations Division. Shamni, who is a former Gaza Division commander, refused to detail the reasons for his assessment.

Security sources on the border with Lebanon, however, report that the Hizbullah has begun making changes in its deployment and "hardening" the defenses of several possible targets of an Israeli counterstrike. Similarly, there has been an increase in the number of reports by IDF soldiers of unusual terrorist deployment on the northern border, as well as increased incidents of Hizbullah reconnaissance and photography in the region.

[SJackson]

I think they're talking about the illegal settlers, not all Jews.

That's not true. The settlements being dismantled in Samaria, like the settlements in Gaza, are perfectly legal. People live there with the support of Israel's government, which has not changed it's mind.

[Convert from ECUSA]

"Israel gives and the Palestinians take. It's a one way street."

Ain't that the truth! The more Israel gives, the more their enemies (and ours) demand.

[CDHart]

What on earth is wrong with the Israeli government? I do not understand why they are leaving themselves wide open to further terrorist attacks.

Carolyn

[EternalVigilance]

Sharon is finished, and he deserves to be.

[American in Israel]

So Sharon wants to add Murder to his "Legacy" of Grand Theft and Treason. One thing about the Jews, they will remember Sharon forever. For his holiday, they could all eat Jelly donuts instead of Hamans ears...