PALESTINIAN REALITY

New York Post ^ | 4/21/03 | RALPH PETERS

[kattracks]

April 21, 2003 -- IN the aftermath of the allied victory in Iraq, the international pressure to create an independent Palestinian state will be irresistible. And the Palestinian people unquestionably deserve a government and homeland of their own.

Israel's vital interests must be protected, but even Prime Minister Ariel Sharon recognizes that some West Bank settlements must be vacated. Despite legitimate misgivings in Jerusalem, Palestinian statehood is on the way.

[goldstategop]

I disagree with Ralph Peters. A Palestinian state is not a foregone conclusion. The Palestinians have plenty of opportunities to make it die aborning. There is even a question of whether they really want a state at all. It would seem they and the rest of the Arab world would prefer to pose as eternal victims of the Jews. Indeed why grow up and take personal responsibility for their own plight? If the Palestinians are the first Arab people to do that, I will be surprised if Peter's prediction comes true. But I don't see anything like Palestinian independence or freedom on the horizon in the Middle East for the foreseeable future.

[thedugal]

And the Palestinian people unquestionably deserve a government and homeland of their own.

Gee thanks for making up my mind for me. I think we Freepers should start calling for our own state now. In 50 years, there will be idiots writing "The Freeper people unquestionably deserve a government and homeland of their own." Something for our children, but better than buying land, we just demand it. We could have more than just a country home, but a whole frickin state!

[roderick]

Palestinian people unquestionably deserve a government and homeland of their own.

Baloney. No only do they deserve nothing they turned down a state a few years ago. Any pali state would be honorific. It would subsist on world charity and remain a terrorist society dedicated to Israel's destruction.

[AFPhys]

it is amazing to me at how good this guy can be when he writes directly about the US military, but his other items often appear pretty lame to me.

[fporretto]

Peters is usually pretty good, but he's off the mark here.

Sovereignty is not only inappropriate to the murderous, hatred-suffused Palestinians, but would rebound against their own interests. They are demonstrably not capable of self-government. Their torture and street executions of accused "Israeli agents" are enough to turn anyone's stomach. Corruption goes all the way through the Palestinian Authority, top to bottom, great and small. To expect any legitimacy to attach to a state ruled by that organization is fatuous.

A Palestinian state with recognized sovereignty would make it much more difficult to restrict the passage of arms and terrorists into that region. It would enable Arafat and the PA to use the old cloak of diplomatic immunity to move the worst men in the world freely across national boundaries. It would end Israel's campaign to quell Palestinian terrorism short of war, thus unleashing the terrorist monster to ravage Israel freely.

In summary, it would be the first step down the road to a full-scale war of annihilation against them. Can there be any doubt who would prevail?

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit The Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

[goldstategop]

True. Without a complete democratic reformation of the Arab world and the Palestinians no peace deal is likely to work. Under current conditions, a Palestinian state would merely serve as a flash point for the next Middle East War. Right now the Palestinians cannot even put together an effective working government when they don't enjoy full sovereignty. President Bush wants to reward them with a state? That's an insult to an Arab to be so patronized. I would be too if I were an Arab. This is something the Arabs must work out for themselves and it can't be dictated by the U.S or for that matter Israel. It didn't work under Oslo and it won't work under the impending road map.

[sauropod]

"And the Palestinian people unquestionably deserve a government and homeland of their own."

They already have one. Its called Jordan.

[hellinahandcart]

Jordan don't want 'em. :D

[E Rocc]

The best hope for peace would be a regime change in Syria and the expulsion of all terrorist organizations from Lebanon. That may happen. Operation Iraqi Freedom provided the spark that could ignite the entire region, leading to the eventual collapse of one illegitimate government after another.

Has anyone considered the fact that Syria and Lebanon are the only neighbors of Israel that haven't yet bought into the peace process? If Syria joins, Lebanon will follow. I suspect that the current level of pressure on Syria is part an effort to ensure that Iraqi leaders and weapons find no refuge there, partly a push to get Syria to by into the process.

Likely it's a quid pro quo with Sharon. We push on Israel's main remaining enemy neighbor, he buys further into the "road map". The Bush Administration has made it very clear, even before the war started, that a Palestinian solution is our next priority.

The settlers in Hebron, Itamar, and other troublesome places shouldn't maintain solid roots there. Sharon's heart is undoubtedly with them, but don't forget that he proved at "Yamit" that his head can overrule his heart.

-Eric

[Baseballguy]

I still dont understand this question. Why would a people that where removed from control of thier land by the world not deserve thier own country. It seems to me like they have all the excuses they want now to do terrorist activities. When they get thier state then there will be a responsiblity for thier actions. Isreal does not need to hire arabs or allow them in thier country.

Those sites that both religions love. Get a visa buddy.

I bet there are alot of people wanting to goto Iraq and visit thier sites now that that country is open.