Settlers: "This is the last battle for the State of Israel" [IDF begins dismantling of 94 outposts]

Jerusalem Post ^ | Jun. 9, 2003 | TOVAH LAZAROFF

[Diddle E. Squat]

Good. Just because there are terrorists on the Palestinian side doesn't mean that the extremists on the Israeli side should get a free pass.

But of course just mentioning that probably makes me an anti-Semite Nazi who wants to jump in front of bulldozers and drive Israel into the sea.

Or maybe, just maybe, I am trying to view this objectively while still supporting Israel.

[RomanCatholicProlifer]

There is nothing extreme about defending your family and your homeland.

[yonif]

Just because there are terrorists on the Palestinian side doesn't mean that the extremists on the Israeli side should get a free pass.

How are they getting a free pass?

[Southack]

It's gonna make a hellofa political statement when the next Palestinian attacks forces Sharon to STOP dismantling those settlements.

Who's gonna support the Palestinians then?! What, like Europe, Russia, or China is going to be able to put any pressure on Israel then?!

The Palestinians are one step away from blowing (pun intended, as always) their global support. The dismantling of settlements will have been stopped, and *everyone* will blame the Palestinians for their attacks stopping it.

This level of politics, in which our enemies can only lose, is a thing of pristine beauty. The Palestinians have already lost, they just aren't clever-enough to know it yet.

Just one or two more attacks now, and then...

[Diddle E. Squat]

Are not many of these settlements illegal or unauthorized squatter compounds, set up as more as a statement of politics and defiance, in the guise of defending the occupied territories?

[LarryM]

Shame on you, George Bush. You are capitulating to terrorism because you are afraid to go after the source in Ramallah, Teheran, and Riyadh.

[MatthewViti]

Tell me about it, with this road map, Jews aren't even allowed in some parts of their own country (birth place of King David). Saudi Arabia also doesn't allow Jews to live there.

[onedoug]

No Arab state in Eretz Yisrael.

EVER!

[berserker]

The rubble of two empty trailers is seen atop the West Bank outpost of Neve Erez near the Jewish settlement of Maale Mikhmas shortly after Israeli troops demolished them Monday June 9, 2003. Settlers demonstrated against Israeli troops who began dismantling uninhabited West Bank settlement outposts, taking down a few of the dozens of outposts Israel has to remove under a U.S.-backed peace plan. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

[dennisw]

But of course just mentioning that probably makes me an anti-Semite Nazi who wants to jump in front of bulldozers and drive Israel into the sea.

Yup, who knows? The *I cannot be a nazi or anti Semite* preamble don't work with me. It's old and lame.

Or maybe, just maybe, I am trying to view this objectively while still supporting Israel.

You mistake foolishness for objectivity. You really think getting these Jews off the West Bank leads to peace? How about if all Jews were stripped from the West Bank? You think the Islamics would give up their Jihad against Israel? 

Take a good look at the MidEast map. There is no peace, only phony peace treaties were Israel gives up real estate for empty promises. The PLO official strategy is take what it can get then continue the Jihad.

[Turbodog]

”Are not many of these settlements illegal or unauthorized squatter compounds, set up as more as a statement of politics and defiance, in the guise of defending the occupied territories?”

Actually, the outposts were set up on hilltops precisely for the protection and security of Israel proper, not the disputed territories.

Also, there are no occupied territories in Israel. Israel captured those territories in a defensive war from Jordan and Egypt. Jordan had illegally annexed Samaria, Judea, and East Jerusalem. This annexation was never internationally recognized because it was illegal. Egypt was illegally occupying Gaza at the time that Israel captured it. Acquisition of territory through defensive war is legal under international law, and there was never a country called Palestine and creating one is nonsensical. Further, the Arabs rejected the partition and then fought a war of agression against Israel. Therefore, the disputed territories should have automatically reverted back to Israel. To reward terrorist for 55 years of murder is absolutely ludicrous.

[dennisw]

Actually, the outposts were set up on hilltops precisely for the protection and security of Israel proper, not the disputed territories.

Correct and Ariel Sharon was one who was responsible for this strategy. In fact most West Bank settlements are on hills as observation outposts and because hill land was unused by the Palestinians. They always want the low land where there is moisture for crops and grazing vegetation. Israelis build on the hill then sink a deeper well.

Paleostinians are quite insulted that Israelis (Jews) live above them. Arabs lorded over Jews for centuries....treated them as second class dhimmis.

[RightWhale]

I am trying to view this objectively while still supporting Israel

That's not fair! Objectivity is not permitted on this topic.

[glorgau]

Actually, the outposts were set up on hilltops precisely for the protection and security of Israel proper, not the disputed territories.

This is just like Europe. All of the old castles and keeps are built on top of hills. Lords of the manor you might say. The arabs are the peasants.

[ml/nj]

WOW!

Lots of displaced "Palestinians" in this neighborhood.

ML/NJ

[dennisw]

This is just like Europe. All of the old castles and keeps are built on top of hills. Lords of the manor you might say. The Arabs are the peasants.

On the West Bank it's a bit diffrent. Arabs have always lived in the low areas where there's more water and moisture in this arid land. The hills of the West Bank were not lived on..... but now some Jews live on them. In Europe there's plenty of rainfall with the hills and valleys equally green. West Bank ...only the valleys and low lands are green.

[rmlew]

Good. Just because there are terrorists on the Palestinian side doesn't mean that the extremists on the Israeli side should get a free pass.

I agree taht the people who set up residences on public land without approval or puchase of the land are criminals.
On the other hand, I oppose the Olso accords in principle as they promote terrorism.

But of course just mentioning that probably makes me an anti-Semite Nazi who wants to jump in front of bulldozers and drive Israel into the sea.

1. Not all anti-Zionists are anti-Semites, not all anti-Semites are anti-zionists (Jews should leave x country and go to Israel),
2. Your position is neither antiZionist nor anti-Semitic.

[cookcounty]

Sharon is willing to use force with his own people.

Mazen says he is not willing to use force with his own people.

Obviously the "Road Map" is already in the ditch.

[glorgau]

In Europe, the castles were put on hills for defensive purposes. It's much harder to assault a high wall when you're facing uphill. For example, (though it was a monastary) Monte Cassino.