Posted on 06/28/2005 8:36:28 AM PDT by Alouette
Despite an uspurge in terror, with four Jews killed in the past two weeks, Israel is planning on handing over Bethlehem to PA control. The IDF is opposed but must follow Sharon's orders to withdraw.
Despite an upsurge in attacks carried out by Arab terrorists originating from Palestinian Authority, the government is going forward with plans to transfer security control of Bethlehem to the PA by the weekend.
The decision to go ahead with the handover was made yesterday in the Prime Ministers office. The IDF, citing the murder of four Israelis over the past two weeks, opposes the move, but has been ordered by the government to carry it out.
According to an IDF report, last Fridays murder of two Jewish youngsters near the town of Bet Hagai was facilitated by the governments decision to remove road blocks in the Hebron area in order to ease restrictions on Arab traffic.
Senior army commanders have warned that handing over another city to PA control (Tulkarem and Kalkilya were handed over last March) would be interpreted by the PA as a form of Israeli acceptance of Arab terror, which shows no signs of abating.
IDF commanders also warned government officials that handing Bethlehem over to PA, under present conditions, would turn that city into a refuge for terrorists who would exploit the absence of the IDF to launch terrorist attacks.
During the Oslo war, Bethlehem and its environs were used as bases for launching suicide attacks against Israelis. Arab terrorists used the citys proximity to Jerusalem to launch mortar attacks on the Gilo neighborhood. The attacks stopped only after the IDF retook the city during Operation Defensive Shield, which followed the April 2002 bombing of the Park hotel in Netanya.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reportedly is going ahead with the handover in order to make good on his promise to PA chief Mahmoud Abbas last February in Sharm E-Sheikh, to roll back the IDF presence in Judea and Samaria and restore the security situation that existed prior to Operation Defensive Shield.
Before that operation, the PA was responsible for providing security and fighting terrorism in Arab populated cities in Judea and Samaria. Israel relinquished control of those cities following the implementation of the ill-fated Oslo accords in 1995.
Looks like the days of Christian pilgramage to the birthplace of Christ are over.
???
Bethlehem is already in Pennsylvania - - not too far from Allentown.
And what's Israel doing with the place anyway?
For a second I was thinking this was Scrappleface, saying that the IDF was handing Bethlehem Pennsylvania back to "PA".
WARNING: This is a high volume ping list
Indeed
During the Oslo war, Bethlehem and its environs were used as bases for launching suicide attacks against Israelis. Arab terrorists used the citys proximity to Jerusalem to launch mortar attacks on the Gilo neighborhood.
You guys beat me to it...
"Israel is planning on handing over Bethlehem to PA control."
Why does the PA want this?
It means NOTHING to them.
Is Jerusalem next?
I had to look twice at that too.
Another insane move that will NOT yield peace.
Sharon giving in to his liberal critics will only teach them another tragic lesson. The PA will only be happy when there is no Israel. To all the liberal Jews in Israel, be careful what you ask for....
But it means something to us. That's why they want it.
The same could be said of the UCC, PCUSA, and Anglican Church.
Too bad so many Christians who live in Bethlechem thought the IDF and Israel were to blame and that "poor Palis were being oppressed". Let's see how long the PA allows Christianity to reamin in that region.
The rabid palesimians will loot the churches, and terrorize and kill the remaining non muzzie inhabitants.
Too bad the liberal Churches twisted their arms.
And they'll be doing it again.
..................
I will refrain on commenting on the decline of the Western Churches, as I will be forced to use words that would get me banned.
Let's just say I find that brand of liberal folly a bit smelly.
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