[mugs99]

First Gaza, now the West Bank, eh? Didn't take you people long, did it. One word: NEVER!

It's an ancient tactic. Israel is fighting for survival. This same tactic was used to defeat Rome and the Russians used it to beat Germany in world war II. Retreat to trap the enemy. The settlers are just pawns in a much bigger game of nations.
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[johnb838]

I understand the retreat and trap. There are problems with it in this case though:

1) Israel has very little room to maneuver.

2) Sharon cannot be sure of remaining in office long enough to carry out his strategy (or remaining alive for that matter, he is 79).

3) It is questionable whether Israel is strong enough internally to resist the screeching of the Global Community at the harsh action that they will need to take to drive the palesites away from the wall, to keep it from being destroyed.

4) It is questionable whether Israel is strong enough internally to resist the screeching of the vampire bat Condoleeza Rice and her puppet master George W. Booosh to accede to the palesite demands for a full pullout from the west bank beginning on 4 September.

Shameful.