[Between the Lines]

This is tragic on so many levels, but those settlements were a gamble. They knew from the start that some in the govt. believed Gaza settlements to be illegal.

This is more tragic than you may think and to most of the settlers this was not a gamble, but a patriotic duty.

Most people believe that these settlements were just a way for Israel to colonize areas in order that they might have a claim to the land. While this is true in part, the major reason for the settlements were the defense and security of the country itself. Most of these settlements are not located in areas ideal for habitation, but are instead located in places that overlook Israel and are key to the countries defense. Settling these positions took away from their enemies key points of attack.

Instead of putting the military in these locations, Israel instead chose to settle them with people that would be the eyes ears and first line of defense of the country. They convinced the settlers that it was the greatest patriotic act to put themselves in harms way in these settlements so that the rest of the country might be safer.

Only the most patriotic Israelis moved into these settlements. Willing for themselves and their families to be shot at, harassed and murdered, that Israel might be safer. Now the same government that asked for their sacrifices has abandoned them for public opinion. It is only for appearances that these settlers are being moved. For even though their houses are being razed to the ground, this land is not being given back to the Palestinians, but instead will now be controlled by the Israeli military.

[E Rocc]

Only the most patriotic Israelis moved into these settlements. Willing for themselves and their families to be shot at, harassed and murdered, that Israel might be safer.

How, precisely, did the settlements make Israel safer, in a way that corresponding military bases would not?

Hershey's right....they were a gamble. Not only did some in the Israeli government know the settlements were illegal, but they knew that no government on Earth thought Israel had the right to move civilians into the occupied territories.

No one moved to Gaza or the West Bank not knowing this was likely to happen someday.

-Eric