Can someone please explain what is going on in Israel?

[BethIrish]

At the risk of sounding uneducated, I am asking this question because I sincerely have no clue what is going on over there. It is not an area of the world I have studied/read up on and I'd like to change that.

Can someone explain Gaza/West Bank? The history behind them? Insight in to what has been going on there recently?

Does anyone have any books to recommend on the subject?

TIA!!!

Beth

eta: sorry, this probably belongs in news/politics - if a mod would like to move it I'd appreciate it!!!

[Emilie]

Moved to News and Politics as requested by the OP. :)

[villanelle75]

I don't know how in depth you want to get, but basically there are Isreali settlers in certain areas (Gaza and West Bank) who have created settlements on land that Israel won in a war with Palestine several decades ago. However, the Palestinians feel that is their land and that's been one of the major stumbling blocks in Peace beteween the two. Isreal has agreed to give up those settlements and basically give the land back to Palestine as part of the attempt to bring peace to the region. Those who are being told to leave are beign given money to do so by the Israli govenment, but are clearly less than thrilled not only to give up their homes, but to give up land that they consider to be part of their country. Many are refuing to leave so they are being forcibly removed from their homes. While that is of course very sad and heart-wrenching, I think it is so exciting and hopeful that this is happening and I really believe it may just bring peace. HTH!

(Sorry for the editorializing there at the end. I couldn't help it.)

[ginadc]

I do too, villanelle.

Part of the irony is that Ariel Sharon, who launched the Gaza pullout, was the main driver behind the settlement movement decades ago. I do understand how betrayed these families must feel that the same guy who basically told them to settle there is now insisting that they must leave.

But IMO, someone has to take the risk. If anything's ever going to get anywhere between the Israelis and the Palestinians, someone has to reach out and take a chance and make a sacrifice and say "Okay, we're willing to meet you somewhere." There are, to put it mildly, huge complicating factors, but I still have some of the idealist in me and can't help hoping that this represents some kind of a start.

But what needs to happen now is that the US needs to invest the funds that we've promised to give toward efforts to rebuild Gaza. It can't be done just by the Palestinians; most of them there have nothing and have been living as refugees for years. If there's no infrastructure, no growth, no jobs, no building of a new community there to give the young people something to look forward to and hope for, then the violence won't stop and this will have all been for nothing.

[msnicolea]

It's quite a complicated affair. At this point, Israel has ordered Jewish settlers to leave all settlements in Gaza, as well as several in the West Bank. These lands are a major bone of contention between Israel and the Palestinians, many of whom live in refugee camps in Gaza. In fact, at one point, 3,000 Jewish settlers lived on 25% of the land in Gaza, while 1 millinion plus Palestinians lived on the rest. Settlers believe this land is theirs biblically and legally--Palestinians/other arabs in the region disagree.

Here are some links, from a variety of sources, describing the history of the land dispute/settlements and the current events there, Gaza in particular:

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gz.html
http://www.npr.org/programs/fa/transcripts/2002/jun/020603.newman.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza


Sharon, Israeli PM, was an architect of the orignal settlements, so for many it is quite disappointning that he is now orchestrating their removal/destruiction. In his defense, he feels that this is the only way to bring an end to the ongoing fighting and terror between the two sides--trasitioning Gaza into Palestinian territory for their sovreignty.

I support Palestinian sovreignty and think Gaza should be theirs--at the same time, it is heartbreaking watching these families being removed from their homes. I truly empathize with both sides.

[Delta]

It is not an area of the world I have studied/read up on and I'd like to change that.
Read this - From Beirut to Jerusalem (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385413726/103-3656687-3632622?v=glance)

It was published 15 years ago, but the conflict (and the roots of it) has been going on for thousands of years, so it's not too outdated, and he's added another chapter. He does a very good job explaining the long history behind the conflict and the people involved - Arafat and Sharon in particular. However, Sharon had very different views and objectives then than he does now.

Friedman is the foremost American writer on this subject, and it may even be useful for you to read his columns in the NYT.

[villanelle75]

One other thing: I was so impressed with Sharon yesterday who was quoted as saying, in reference to the anger of the settlers as the soldiers that were clearing the settlements, that the settlers should direct their anger at him. I think it was such a brave and classy thing to say and IMO, showed how much he really wants peace, even if it is at the expense of his political reputation and career. He's makeing the hard choice, but clearly the one he feels is right. I hope now that the Palestinians can do the same.

[BethIrish]

Thanks, ladies. I knew you all were the best ones to point me in the right direction :)

[paiger]

I just wanted to say thanks as well!! I asked DH about this last night after seeing some of the really sad pictures of people being evacuated. We tried to look to up on cnn.com, but there was so much information that I just couldn't wade through it all.

Like Delta said about this going on for so long, they had an interactive timeline on the website...it started at 1000 BC :eek:!

[wander_woman]

When Israel declared its independence as a state in 1948, it was attacked by most of its Arab neighbors. Following the war, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) was annexed by Jordan and the Gaza strip was occupied by Egypt. Israel won these territories back in the 1967 war (just to be clear, it was not a war with Palestine, which isn't a state, but a war between Israel and Egypt, Jordan & Syria). The West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights (an area previously occupied by Syria) are generally known as the "Occupied Territories" and have been the major source of contention between Israel and its neighbors (and its Palestinian residents) for almost 40 years.

During the war of 1948, many Palestinians fled their homes in Israel and have been unable to return ever since. Many live in refugee camps operated by the UN; some live in Israel and have Israeli citizenship; most live in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians claim the West Bank and Gaza as their rightful territory (the PLO used to claim that all Israel was their territory). Israel claims that, legally and historically, the Occupied Territories belong to Israel. Israel has pursued a policy through the years of settling its citizens in the Occupied Territories as a way to stake out its claim on the territories. Most of the "settlers" are either religious extremists who view larger Israel as belonging to the Jewish people, or strong Zionists who see the Occupied Territories as a legal part of Israel and necessary for Israel's security. The settlers constantly clash with the Palestinian residents of the territories, and a large military presence is needed to keep things under control. It's an extremely difficult situation that has led to a lot of violence on both sides.

In the early 1990's, Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), representing the Palestinians, entered into peace negotiations. The Palestinian Authority was set up, which is essentially a governmental and security body that nominally governs parts of the West Bank and Gaza. In 2004, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pushed a disengagement plan through Parliament that would withdraw all Israeli settlers and soldiers from Gaza and from some parts of the West Bank. That's what is happening now. Israeli troops have begun to forcibly remove the remaining settlers out of Gaza. Most Israelis are in favor of the disengagement plan, but a very vocal minority strongly opposes it.

It's a very sad situation but the right thing to do, IMO. I've never been a fan of Sharon's but I think he's absolutely doing the right thing now. He has surprised me with his good judgment and courage over the last year. I'm very happy to see that the removal is more peaceful than people had predicted.

[Secret_Squirrel]

When Israel declared its independence as a state in 1948, it was attacked by most of its Arab neighbors. Following the war, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) was annexed by Jordan and the Gaza strip was occupied by Egypt. Israel won these territories back in the 1967 war (just to be clear, it was not a war with Palestine, which isn't a state, but a war between Israel and Egypt, Jordan & Syria). The West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights (an area previously occupied by Syria) are generally known as the "Occupied Territories" and have been the major source of contention between Israel and its neighbors (and its Palestinian residents) for almost 40 years.

During the war of 1948, many Palestinians fled their homes in Israel and have been unable to return ever since. Many live in refugee camps operated by the UN; some live in Israel and have Israeli citizenship; most live in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians claim the West Bank and Gaza as their rightful territory (the PLO used to claim that all Israel was their territory). Israel claims that, legally and historically, the Occupied Territories belong to Israel. Israel has pursued a policy through the years of settling its citizens in the Occupied Territories as a way to stake out its claim on the territories. Most of the "settlers" are either religious extremists who view larger Israel as belonging to the Jewish people, or strong Zionists who see the Occupied Territories as a legal part of Israel and necessary for Israel's security. The settlers constantly clash with the Palestinian residents of the territories, and a large military presence is needed to keep things under control. It's an extremely difficult situation that has led to a lot of violence on both sides.

In the early 1990's, Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), representing the Palestinians, entered into peace negotiations. The Palestinian Authority was set up, which is essentially a governmental and security body that nominally governs parts of the West Bank and Gaza. In 2004, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pushed a disengagement plan through Parliament that would withdraw all Israeli settlers and soldiers from Gaza and from some parts of the West Bank. That's what is happening now. Israeli troops have begun to forcibly remove the remaining settlers out of Gaza. Most Israelis are in favor of the disengagement plan, but a very vocal minority strongly opposes it.

It's a very sad situation but the right thing to do, IMO. I've never been a fan of Sharon's but I think he's absolutely doing the right thing now. He has surprised me with his good judgment and courage over the last year. I'm very happy to see that the removal is more peaceful than people had predicted.

That's a very good synopsis.

One thing I learned recently (and the PP mentions) is that there never has been a Palestinian state before. The "occupied territories" were land that was previously part of Jordan, Syria and Egypt and were lost during the 6 Days War, when those nations were gearing up to attack Israel and Israel struck first pre-emptively. Here's a breif description of the war: http://i-cias.com/e.o/sixdaywr.htm

Here's a map of the effected territories:
http://i-cias.com/e.o/ill/1967.gif

I heard that the lands have strategic importance to Israel, because without it, the country is less than 10 miles wide in certain points.

(To the knowledgable people) does that sound right?

I feel for the settlers, because they are caught in the middle and it would be terrible to be forced to leave your home. But they did offer decent compensation packages to people who left willingly, as I understand it.

BTW - it's too late for Mexico to ask for Texas and California back, isn't it? Not to mention all those broken treaties we have with Native Americans...

[bethnjim]

BTW - it's too late for Mexico to ask for Texas and California back, isn't it? Not to mention all those broken treaties we have with Native Americans...

I think this every time I watch these poor people being dragged out of their homes. WHO CARES if they were offered a decent compensation package? These settlers are being moved off of their land which is resulting in them going against their religious principles in most cases. Such a sad day for Israel. :mad: :(

[lawyerlee]

It's highly debatable whether removing Jewish settlers from Gaza is in fact requiring them to go back on their religious principles. The Gaza strip was never part of the land that was occupied by Jews. Some Jews see it as their duty to be pioneers and settle that land for Israel, which is a religious duty in their minds, but it is not settled among Israelis or Jews at large whether Gaza is something they should be involved with or trying to settle.

There was a very good piece on NPR about this subject earlier this week.

Israel's Intricate Gaza Withdrawal (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4800915)

They have extremely good coverage on this subject, and I highly encourage anyone who wants to learn more to listen to the coverage at NPR.org. :)

Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza - Main Report Page (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4797062)

[lawyerlee]

I think this every time I watch these poor people being dragged out of their homes. WHO CARES if they were offered a decent compensation package? These settlers are being moved off of their land which is resulting in them going against their religious principles in most cases. Such a sad day for Israel. :mad: :(
I think this comment shows a lack of understanding of the history of this region, and I would highly encourage you to learn more about the situation.

[lawyerlee]

BTW - it's too late for Mexico to ask for Texas and California back, isn't it? Not to mention all those broken treaties we have with Native Americans...
Funny thing is, we created those situations AND (with England) contributed to the current fighting in this region through our complete lack of understanding of the ramifications of essentially stealing land from all those Middle Eastern countries to give it to the Jewish people. I am not fundamentally opposed to a Jewish homeland, but when you ignore history and pick fights, you get what you ask for. And when you go even further and try to "settle" more land that belongs to someone else, as these Gaza settlers did, it may not work out. Perhaps some of America's tactics against Native American tribes were more effective, but bottom line, I think the difference is that we didn't have the kind of history with them that these groups have with each other.

[villanelle75]

Such a sad day for Israel.

It's so interesting, because I see it as a happy, joyful day for Israel. Of course, huge painful sacrifices are being made, but it's a giant step towards peace and stability, and I believe a majority of the Israelis are in absolute agreement with the pull out for just those reasons.

[lawyerlee]

It's so interesting, because I see it as a happy, joyful day for Israel. Of course, huge painful sacrifices are being made, but it's a giant step towards peace and stability, and I believe a majority of the Israelis are in absolute agreement with the pull out for just those reasons.
I totally agree. It is painful for the settlers, but an extremely good step in the direction of peace. It's about time Israel followed through on an affirmative step indicating that they are truly committed to peace. :)

And I'm honestly suprised that this day ever came under Sharon's leadership. When he was elected, I was incredibly disheartended because he seemed like such a radical, divisive figure.

[bethnjim]

I think this comment shows a lack of understanding of the history of this region, and I would highly encourage you to learn more about the situation.

Religiously, I believe the all of Isreal's land belongs to the Jewish people and that by giving up what God has given to them, they are going against God's Word.

[lawyerlee]

Religiously, I believe the all of Isreal's land belongs to the Jewish people and that by giving up what God has given to them, they are going against God's Word.
Yeah? Well, Gaza isn't part of Israel. So that's what leads me to believe that you're a little unclear on this issue.

[ginadc]

Religiously, I believe the all of Isreal's land belongs to the Jewish people and that by giving up what God has given to them, they are going against God's Word.

Beth, I would never presume to argue with your beliefs--although as Diana's pointed out, the majority of Israeli citizens have said that they agree with the Gaza pullout plan. They may not be thrilled about it, but they recognize it as an important step toward peace.

But let me just ask this: if you think the entire area--all of Gaza, all the West Bank--belongs to the Jewish people, then what's supposed to happen to the Palestinians? Where should they go? Should they be consigned forever to either be refugees in another Islamic state like Syria or Jordan, or to live under Israeli rule in land that they historically have a strong claim to as well? Do they not deserve their own state?

[msnicolea]

Palestian Arabs believe Gaza is their land--religously AND legally. Why should Jewish belief trump Muslim belief?

I feel for the famililes, I truly do, especially for children who have never had another home. But I feel more for Palestinian refugee famililes who have spent the last 30+ years in exile, foreigners in their own land.

I cdmmend Sharon--I think this is quite courageous and ultimately fair.

[lawyerlee]

But let me just ask this: if you think the entire area--all of Gaza, all the West Bank--belongs to the Jewish people, then what's supposed to happen to the Palestinians? Where should they go? Should they be consigned forever to either be refugees in another Islamic state like Syria or Jordan, or to live under Israeli rule in land that they historically have a strong claim to as well? Do they not deserve their own state?
Absolutely. And would that we a comfortable fit for Palestinian Christians? Because, of course, not all Palestinians are Muslims.

[pocket]

i think that if god has any opinions at all about modern politics, he'd be way more likely to sympathize with the palestinians. they live in severe poverty, misery and with significant violence in gaza. those settlers went and lived in territory that they certainly knew was disputed even if they didn't consider it to be occupied. It’s their own damn fault. Gaza was never within the borders of Israel. Never ever. It may have been one of the territories possessed by the ancient Kingdom of Israel under the hasmoneans and later under herod, but it wasn't part of the kingdom of david and solomon and itwasn't part of the settlement that created the State of Israel. This goes really deep. One of the rationales for the creation of the state of Israel was that it was the Jews’ ancestral home that they were forced out of. Some religious people believe that God wants them to reclaim all of Israel including that part. Anyway, it’s very controversial and unhelpful in resolving a really volatile situation that has already gotten a lot of people killed. And that’s why I don’t like settlers. They are interested in more fat on the fire.

[villanelle75]

Pocket, I was hoping you'd chime in in the whole issue as I know it's one you are very educated about.

I'm curious about what the opinion of the "average" Israeli is regarding settlers. Do many of them feel as you do? (Yaya, if you are reading this, I'd love to hear your thoughts as well if you care to share them.)

[Delta]

It is most definitely not a sad day for Isreal, but a very exciting time as it is one small step towards finding peace between them and the Palestinians. I think everyone, except the most extreme, can agree on that.

It may be sad for the actual settlers, but as Pocket said, they knew what they were taking on when they moved into that area. On one hand I feel for the children, especially the ones who are probably scared out of their wits because their parents insisted on having them dragged out, but on the other hand I can't help but think that the settlers knew what they were doing when they moved in.

[pocket]

i also feel the worst for the children. they've been living under tremendous stress, under armed guard for most of their childhoods just so that their parents can make a political statement and now they are being ripped away again so that their parents could make a political statement. Seriously how could you take your kids to live there? how could you not help make the transition easier for them by taking the early settlement and not letting the children be carried off screaming by the army. it boggles the mind.

[wendalah]

Every time I try to concentrate on this issue, my head starts to hurt. I'm glad they are taking some sort of action. Everything seems like such a stalemate in that region...centuries of getting nowhere.

[yaya]

Eh. I have way too much to say about this.

First -- I think it's something of a misperception that Arik Sharon has spearheaded the disengagement out of the goodness of his heart and desire to make peace with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Um... no. He's a pragmatist, and to him, the disengagement is fundamentally a security measure. The basic idea is, We don't trust the Arabs, and we cannot make peace with them. Given that peace is a pipe dream, what we need is a defensible border. So we're going to unilaterally move to the border we can best defend -- and keep the Palestinians out of our midst. The name of the game, for Sharon, is survival, and this is what he believes to be necessary.

Note that the disengagement is basically two-pronged:The withdrawal from Gaza (plus a few northern west bank settlements) is only half the story. The other part of the story is the immense concrete barrier being erected in the West Bank. The partially-constructed wall will separate Israel from the West Bank, and is to incorporate the West Bank's largest Jewish population centers -- and of course significant Palestinian territory -- i.e. territory held by Jordan pre-1967. The wall, itself the subject of intense opposition by Palestinians and human rights activists, is extremely popular with the same Israeli majority that supports the withdrawal from Gaza. The idea is, we can't live with them, so we're going to try to separate from them in as clear, concrete and effective way as possible.

This is not some lovey-dovey let's Give Peace a Chance process. This is, I know we're not going to be at peace for quite some time, if ever, so I am going to withdraw only so far as will strengthen my position.

................

As for the settlers ... Of course like the good liberal I am, I don't think they ever had any business in Gaza to start with. And it boggles my mind that so many just never seemed to believe they would be evacuated. But they didn't. Their rabbis told them there would be a miracle, they believed that they were doing the Right Thing, that they were protecting people in Tel Aviv -- that's what the government had told them all along, after all!

Interestingly, there has been a huge groundswell of opposition among the youth. This is not a fringe movement. These kids -- high school kids, mostly -- grew up in a world where they were taught that Gaza was an inseparable part of their state. They are truly passionate, and for the most part, sane. They are totally convinced of the justice of their cause. These are kids who were born around when the first Palestinian Intifadeh started. All they know is the Palestinian conflict, and they think that this move is both foolish on Arik Sharon's part, undemocratic, unjust, and contrary to their religious teachings.

(Of course, many disagree, but the national religious establishment in Israel has, for the most part, roundly opposed the withdrawal from the settlements. This means that those Orthodox Jews who "believe in" the state of Israel -- serve in the army, etc. -- almost unanimously oppose the "forced expulsion" of settlers. We Jews can argue about what Judaim *truly* requires, but I think it's significant that the majority of those who believe that orthodox Judaism is compatible with allegiance to a modern, Israeli nation-state find that abandoning the Gaza settlements flies in the face of of their beliefs.)

For the locals, this was their home. They believe that the Israeli government is now committing an intolerable human rights violation by forcibly evicting them. They shove their babies into the soldiers' arms and turn to the cameras, utterly convinced of the morality of their plight.

I think it's notable that while the army is forcibly evicting people, most people who are choosing to be carried out of their homes are doing it as a form of protest. Some want it on camera. So far, the physical violence has been minimal, realtively speaking.

The press here has been extremely sympathetic to the settlers' point of view, to my mind.
..........

Eh. Things should be quiet throughout the Sabbath (fridaynight - sat night), but expect things to heat up next week, especailly when the time comes to evacuate the Northern west bank ("samaria") settlements. That could be a fight.

[lawyerlee]

Eh. I have way too much to say about this.

First -- I think it's something of a misperception that Arik Sharon has spearheaded the disengagement out of the goodness of his heart and desire to make peace with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Um... no. He's a pragmatist, and to him, the disengagement is fundamentally a security measure. The basic idea is, We don't trust the Arabs, and we cannot make peace with them. Given that peace is a pipe dream, what we need is a defensible border. So we're going to unilaterally move to the border we can best defend -- and keep the Palestinians out of our midst. The name of the game, for Sharon, is survival, and this is what he believes to be necessary.


I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts. You can never have too many because this is a topic I never tire of learning about, particularly from someone who is living it. :)

I totally get the Sharon's a military man to the core and that military thinking drives his policy. However, regardless of *his* motivations, when something is right, it is right, IMHO. I'll take positive steps wherever I can find them.

[lawyerlee]

how could you not help make the transition easier for them by taking the early settlement and not letting the children be carried off screaming by the army. it boggles the mind.
In one way it does, but if you see this through their eyes, you know they believe they are doing what is right for Israel and their children and that sacrifices must be made when you're part of a pioneering endeavor. It is terribly sad for the children, though. I always feel worst for the silent victims of this kind of situation. :(

[yaya]

The part with the kids is truly awful, I agree. It strikes me as so ironic, because one of the retorts offered to charges that a disproportionately high of the Palestinian victims of Israeli violence are children, is basically that it is the fault of parents and the community for allowing and encouraging the children to be in harm's way.

Some of these kids believe that the army was coming to kill them, or that it wasn't coming at all. They are being told that what is happening to them is akin to what happened to Jews in Nazi Germany. Poor children must be terrified.

I want to remark, as an aside, about what strikes me as the remarkable professionalism and discipline of the Israeli military / police forces -- and "professional" and "discinplined" aren't ususually the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the IDF. These are kids, too, 19 and 20 year olds, who are carrying off their cousins, kicking and screaming. They're doing it gently, for the most part.

One of the surprises, for me, has been how many embraces we've seen on camera, between settlers and soliders. People shrieking, hysterically, at the top of their lungs -- "I love you, brother!" Soldiers showing lots of patience with people who call them Nazis. The adherence to plan and procedure. Good to know we're capable of it, when so inclined.

And d -- Sure, I think that the Left, the world over, is pretty glad to see Israel withdraw from Gaza. But I think it's important to see that while we may think it a Good Thing in the the big picture, this is not all roses for the Gazans. For one thing, they can kiss work permits in Israel goodbye for a good long time. For example. Freedom of movement? Probably more within Gaza, but Gaza is still pretty small. It's complicated.

[lawyerlee]

And d -- Sure, I think that the Left, the world over, is pretty glad to see Israel withdraw from Gaza. But I think it's important to see that while we may think it a Good Thing in the the big picture, this is not all roses for the Gazans. For one thing, they can kiss work permits in Israel goodbye for a good long time. For example. Freedom of movement? Probably more within Gaza, but Gaza is still pretty small. It's complicated.
You have *such* excellent points to make. The opportunities for Palestinians are already so limited. It is going to be even hard for people to find work. You are so right. :( It really pisses me off that Gaza can't just be theirs to with as they see fit and to be ruled as they see fit. And maybe that wouldn't improve their lives much, but I certainly think it would increase the dignity with which they are able to live their lives.

I've heard some amazing stories on NPR like those you have described about the interactions between the soldiers and the settlers. Settlers asking soldiers in to their homes for food and drink and soldiers coming forward with gracious offers to help with packing their belongings. It is a very encouraging commentary. Aside from all the sadness I still have for the struggles of the Palestinians, of course. People really aren't that different, and I hate the idea of using God to divide us.

[pocket]

I want to remark, as an aside, about what strikes me as the remarkable professionalism and discipline of the Israeli military / police forces -- and "professional" and "discinplined" aren't ususually the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the IDF. These are kids, too, 19 and 20 year olds, who are carrying off their cousins, kicking and screaming. They're doing it gently, for the most part.

they've been great. really the soldiers have been fantastic.

[Secret_Squirrel]

I think this every time I watch these poor people being dragged out of their homes. WHO CARES if they were offered a decent compensation package? These settlers are being moved off of their land which is resulting in them going against their religious principles in most cases. Such a sad day for Israel. :mad: :(

I agree that it is hard on the individuals. But if you feel that way, wouldn't you also sympathize with the previous inhabitants of that land, prior to the occupation by Israel? What about prior to the creation of Israel?

This situation is truly a complicated mess, and another fine example that arbitrary nation-building can have disasterous effects. I was curious about how it all happened, so I looked into it.

The following is a synopsis of the recent history, gleaned from the very detailed UN website: http://www.un.org/Depts/dpa/ngo/history.html.

At the start of the century, Palestine was not independent, but was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. But during WWI, the Ottoman Empire disentigrated. The victor nations - England, France, Russia and later, Italy agreed that the Ottoman Arab areas should come under European control (the Sykes-Picot Agreement), ultimately with the goal of self-rule for the inhabitants.

Because of the diverse religious importance of Palestine, the goal then was to create an international regime which would fall under British control and British troops moved into the region in 1917. Formerly relinquished by Turkey in its peace treaties, Palestine and other nearby Arab territories fell under jurisdiction of the League of Nations (the newly formed pre-UN world organization), which was to create independent states out of them.

Meanwhile, the Zionist movement was lobbying for the final outcome to include a Jewish homeland. After undergoing terrible anti-semitism and pogroms in Europe, some Jewish people had begun calling for an autonomous homeland somewhere in the globe for their protection, and the movement began to gain steam around 1896. Locations around the world were discussed, including Argentina and Cypress, but the movement latched onto Palestine, their ancestral homeland. With the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the idea began to transcend fantasy into a real possibility.

The British crown sympathized with the lack of a homeland for the Jewish people and agreed with the Zionist cause in principal. This led to the Balfour Declaration in 1917: a simple three paragraph letter in which the British Foreign Secretary expressed the Crown's support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

But it's effect was not simple. The UN considers it an incredibly significant moment and the root of our modern problem. The Arabs opposed it vehemently, and it led to the partioning of Palestine.

Working out the independence of the various Arab territories took time, but the goal was self-determination for the inhabitants. Lebanon and Syria were under full French control until 1943 & 1944. But Palestine and Transjordan (now Jordan) were treated distinctly. Britian requested Transjordan be administered separately, the League of Nations agreed and the Kingdom of Jordan was created in 1946.

Palestine was the only area that was not automatically achieving self-determination. In the 1920's, Jewish settlers began legally immigrating, raising the Jewish population levels in the region from 10% to 30% in twenty years. Many settlers had a practice of only hiring Jewish workers, which led to a fear of economic loss by the Arabs. Arabs also saw their hope of autonomy vanishing with each new immigrant. Arab violence against Jews began, when there had been none previously.

With increasing immigration due to the rise of Nazi Germany, anger among the Palestinians grew - the more Jews there were, the less likely it would be that they were given a self-governing state. In 1936, violence erupted toward the British governing force and lasted until after WWII. Arab groups began forming illegal armed millitas, and Jewish settlements were attacked periodlically.

The Peel Report by the British Government in 1937 recognized the Palestinan frustrations and suggested partitioning Palestine as a solution. They held the London Conference in 1939 in which Arab and Jewish leaders were invited to reach a solution. But the Arab factions refused to recognize the Jewish leaders.

The 12 member Anglo-American Committee (the beginning of American involvement) looked at the issue in 1947 and listened to both sides. It was decided that no state should be quickly created and Palestine should remain under UN control. Later that year, Britian gave up their control and asked the UN to step in.

With WWII over, the atrocities and homelessnes experienced by the Jewish people became tied to the Palestinian question. Jewish refugees began flooding into the region. The UN formed a special committee to find a solution once and for all. But while invited, Palestinian leaders refused to participate. However, Jewish organizations cooperated fully. Later on, Palestinians did speak to the General Assembly, but not to the special committee.

The UN reached a conclusion that in two years, Palestine should be
partitioned into 2 territories, one Arab, one Jewish, with Jerusalem an internationally governed city. The people of Palestine were found to be entitled to their own state, but sympathies also remained for the state-less Jews.

How nations voted on the decree:
In favour: Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Canada, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, Liberia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Sweden, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of South Africa, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Against: Afghanistan, Cuba, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen.

Abstained: Argentina, Chile, China, Colombia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Mexico, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia.

Arab nations rejected the plan. And shortly after Israel declared independence in 1948, they were attacked by Syria, Egypt and Iraq. Israel triumphed and as a result, gained control of much of the land that was allotted to the Arabs under the Plan, plus half of what was supposed to be the UN controlled ciy of Jerusalem. The West Bank and the Gaza Strip remained Arab territories, but Israel won those lands in the 1967 6-day War.

There is much, much more. But that is a good synopsis of what happened to create the situation we are in now. So, my take on it is that Palestine was supposed to get a state, but they never did - partly because the Arab nations refused to cooperate and attacked Israel, which derailed the statehood process and lost them their land (however, I am sympathetic to the underlying frustrations).

No one is all right or all wrong. I hope that Israel's withdrawl from those regions can lessen the years of bitter hatred and lead towards tolerance of an imperfect situation.

Absolutely. And would that we a comfortable fit for Palestinian Christians? Because, of course, not all Palestinians are Muslims.

Good point. In 1948, Palestine was 20% Christian. And some towns in the West Bank were 90% Christian. Since all the unrest, that number has dropped dramatically and that number has shrunk to 2%.

[Noa]

"I'm curious about what the opinion of the "average" Israeli is regarding settlers. Do many of them feel as you do? "

As an Israeli living in the USA, I can definitely say that I view the pull out of Gaza as a happy day. I mean- its hard for me to see the scenes on TV... But then again I am angry at the settlers for being there in the first place, and angry at my government for having indirectly encouraged it in the past. But whatever was done then was simply how the government thought we would be able to ensure our survival.

Mostly- I am proud of my fellow soldiers who are doing such an amazing job, and I am happy this move is finally being made. It should have happened a long time ago.

BTW- my sister's best friend has just been re-enlisted in the Army as a lawyer who will be dealing with settlement issues of this pull out. Should be interesting to hear about it...

[lawyerlee]

BTW- my sister's best friend has just been re-enlisted in the Army as a lawyer who will be dealing with settlement issues of this pull out. Should be interesting to hear about it...
If it is possible, it would be so awesome if you could share some of what you learn through her! :)

[BethIrish]

Wow, ladies! I don't have time to read through this right now, but I so appreciate all of you educating us on this :) So much easier than trying to wade through the internet...

Also, thanks for the book suggestion. I will be picking it up next time I go out!!!

[pocket]

w w w . g u s h . s h a l o m - o r g

Uri Avnery
27.8.05

Dear Settlers --

"Dear" in the most literal sense.

At long last it must be spelled out, without hypocritical pity, without "if" and "but".

We have paid billions of shekels in order to settle you in the Gaza Strip. We have paid billions to keep you there, and most of you have lived there at our expense. We paid billions to defend you, and dozens of soldiers, male and female, lost their lives doing this. Now we are paying billions (Eight? Ten? Twelve?) to get you out of there and pay you generous compensation.

But all this is not enough. Again you are shouting. Again you are being robbed. Again we owe you much, much more. Whole stretches of the country, preferably on the sea-shore, to be especially reserved for you, so that you can resettle "as whole communities". So that you can live separately. So that you can have your own separate schools. So that you can draw government salaries as employees of the local council, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defense.

I don't know whether the Guinness Book of Records awards a title for champions of impertinence, cheek, impudence - in short, good old Jewish chutzpah. If so, you should win it hands down. In the past we only owed each of you a luxury villa for next to nothing, as well as a source of livelihood, land and water, now it seems we owe you everything. It is your right to help yourselves from the money needed for the sick, the elderly, the handicapped, the children, the unemployed. Because you are the best of the best. Because you are holding on to the beard of the Messiah. Because you were personally chosen by God.

I might have some sympathy for your plight, if you had uttered one word of compassion for the inhabitants of the 1500 Palestinian homes that were destroyed because of you, a greater number than all the homes of the settlers that are being destroyed now. If you had expressed any compassion for the children that were evicted from their homes within half an hour, without compensation, without hotels and psychologists. For the thousands of trees uprooted in order to supply you with "security".

As the good Rabbi Hillel said 2000 years ago, when he saw the skull floating down the river: "Because you have drowned others, you were drowned?"

And please remember: the bill is not being paid by "the State", an anonymous body, but by me and the Israeli readers of this column, out of our own pockets.



To the "Yesha Council", Shalom --

That's it. The bluff is over. The bubble has burst.

For months now you have been terrifying us. You have bombarded us with imaginary figures. One hundred thousand demonstrators. One hundred fifty thousand. "All in all, we have mobilized two million people". That means, almost 40% of all Israeli Jews.

And you told us: You ain't seen nothing yet. At the right moment, hundreds of thousands will march on Gush Katif. Tens of thousands of soldiers and officers will refuse orders. All roads throughout the country will be blocked. The state will come to a standstill. The entire people will rise up and foil the evil designs of that man - that one, sole man - who wants to evict the redeemers of the land from the Gaza Strip.

So what happened? Heaven did not fall. Not a single road was blocked. Only a handful of soldiers refused orders - many less than the conscientious objectors of the peace camp. And unlike them, not one of you was faced with going to prison for a year or more.

And, most important: You have remained alone. Quite alone. That was obvious already from the first moment, in your big demonstrations, when there was almost nobody there who didn't wear the knitted skullcap of the national-religious or the bigger caps of the Repentant Jews. No other sector of the public joined you: not the left, not the center, not the secular right-wing, not even the Orthodox. All the arrogant boasts that we heard mornings and evenings have burst like soap bubbles.

Nothing remains but the mother of all failures. Yet instead of disappearing from the stage in shame, to "search your soul" and absorb the failure, you remain at the height of chutzpah and just go on as if nothing has happened.



To the Media, Shalom --

Excuse me for addressing you as if you were one single person. True, you consist of many newspapers, radio stations and TV networks, but I address you in the singular form because during the last weeks that is what you indeed were. All of you spoke as one person, in one style, one terminology. And all of you, except a select few, have betrayed your mission.

For weeks now you have provided a platform for the settlers' propaganda. All the papers. All the radio stations. All the TV networks. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Every belch or grunt of a settler was hot news, if not a sensation. The voice of the peace camp was hardly heard, the most consistent opponents of the settlers were not heard at all.

You have drowned us in a sea of kitsch, hour upon hour of crying and weeping, simulated hysteria and real hysteria. An unending series of scenes that were carefully staged for television, with the stated intention of "burning into consciousness" and "creating a trauma". From the roof of the Sanur fortress, MK Aryeh Eldad ordered "cages" in order to stage-manage the tragic submission of the heroes, and not one single reporter quoted the old Yiddish saying: "Meshiggener, herub fun dach!" ("Madman, get down from the roof!") Instead of factual reporting, you poured out a flood of loaded words like "heart-rending sights", "terrible pain", "wonderful youth". (Only occasionally did a real truthful scene slip through, like the child praying with his mother and, perceiving that the evacuation didn't stop, exclaiming in wonderment: "Mama, it didn't help!")

While all this was going on, where was the investigative press? Why were we not told the real numbers of the demonstrators? Who is this "Yesha Council", who elected them, what is its legal status, where do the millions of dollars wasted on this campaign come from? Why did nobody investigate in which field these wild weeds grew up, what is happening in the autonomous "religious-state" education system that has produced - at our expense - these fanatical thugs?

And why has nobody exposed the farce of these so-called Stalingrads and Massadas, whose heroes knew full well that nobody would use tear gas or clubs against them, and that all those arrested would be free the next day?



To the Prime Minister, Shalom --

I apologize. I did not really believe that you would go the full distance in this story. But you have carried out what you promised to do, and it's not really important why - whether you were left without an alternative, or were carried away by your own momentum, or were compelled by the Americans to do so.

But your real test is only just beginning. Your actions during the next days will decide whether you have acquired an honorable place in history or will be remembered as a fool.

Another Prime Minister, the British statesman David Lloyd-George, while trying to justify his disengagement from Ireland, talked about the impossibility of jumping over an abyss in two strides. Now you are precisely in this situation. You have started your jump. The abyss is beneath you. If you stop, you will fall in.

If you do not progress quickly towards a historic compromise with the Palestinians, you yourself will realize the prophesy of doom made by Binyamin Netanyahu: a third intifada will break out and the Gaza Strip will turn into a platform for mortars and Qassam rockets.

This is not the time to think about the next elections, to worry about the Landaus and Netanyahus, Likud A and Likud B. This is the time to raise your eyes and do the historic thing.

This is your test, and only it will decide whether the withdrawal from Gaza was just another unimportant episode or a historic act.

(cont.)

[pocket]

Dear Appeasers --

there you are again, like the proverbial mushrooms after rain. You want to appease, to get the minds to meet, to "mend the rift within the people".

There is no rift. On the contrary, in this affair the people are very united, in an impressive and even amazing way.

This is no "rift", but an inevitable confrontation between the vast majority of the public and a small separatist sect. If proof were needed, here come the settlers themselves and demand separate localities in Israel, with separate schools - separate even from the general religious-Zionist sector.

The Israeli public, almost unanimously, wants a state based upon law, a democratic state, where the majority decides and the rights of the minority are respected. A sane, free and rational state. A state with borders and a constitution. A state belonging to progressive humanity. A state that respects all religions but is not subject to any religion.

Against this state, a fanatical sect has risen up, a sect that wants to establish a different state: a faith-based, nationalist and racist state, ruled by divine law as interpreted by their rabbis. A state whose task is to conquer all of the historic Land of Israel, to inherit it, to drive out its "foreign" (i.e. Arab) inhabitants and fill it with settlements.

Between these two concepts there can be no compromise, nor should there be a false one. Because the proposed compromise goes always in one direction, the surrender of the State of Israel. That would be the first step towards the liquidation of the Israeli democracy. The ideological ambiguity is a smoke screen, behind which the forces of destruction are at work. The very opposite is called for: to throw a bright, merciless light, so that every person in Israel will understand what the struggle is all about.

Not appeasement, but mobilization for the defense of our democracy.



Dear Professor Yeshayahu Leibowitz, peace upon your soul --

You told me once that, when the followers of the Muslim preacher Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahab conquered Mecca, the first thing they did was to demolish the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad. So that the believers would not sanctify stones. Now it is being asserted that the demolishing of the Gush Katif synagogues, that were built only two or three years ago, would contravene some divine law.

With your sharp and biting tongue, you, an orthodox Jew, would have reduced these charlatans to ashes - as you did when you called the Western Wall "a religious discotheque."

We are missing you.

[wander_woman]

Wow, pocket, that was great reading. Thanks for posting that.

[lawyerlee]

Gaza Economy Suffocated by Restrictions (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2005/09/07/international/i004824D29.DTL)
- By RAVI NESSMAN, Associated Press Writer
San Francisco Chronicle

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

(09-07) 00:48 PDT DEIR EL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) --

The sticky sweet smell of sugar, chocolate and marshmallow still hangs over the Al-Awda factory floor, though its owners have grown bitter about the fate of their cookie company.

Israeli security restrictions at the only terminal for Gaza's exports crushed their business over the past five years of violent conflict, forcing them to fire nearly half their workers and unplug some of the snaking machines that cut, bake and wrap cookies.

While many prepare to celebrate Israel's Gaza pullout, Palestinian leaders fear that without an Israeli agreement to open up Gaza's borders and allow businesses to freely export, the impoverished region will be doomed to a future of unending despair.

A continuing economic crisis in Gaza, where unemployment is 35 percent and many depend on foreign aid, could also undermine the Palestinian Authority and strengthen already popular Islamic militant groups.

Without the free movement of goods, "what did we get out of disengagement? Absolutely nothing, economically speaking," said Sani Daher, head of Paltrade, an organization of Palestinian exporters.

Currently the Palestinians' only export outlet is the Karni cargo terminal on the border with Israel, where lengthy security checks have created a bottleneck.

Palestinian officials hoped to open a second terminal — this one into Egypt — at southern Gaza's Rafah crossing after Israel pulls out in the coming weeks. The Palestinians offered to allow foreign monitors, possibly from Europe, at Rafah, as part of an agreement that could be replicated at a future Gaza port and airport.

But Israel refused amid fears that advanced weapons as well as militant leaders would infiltrate and turn Gaza into a terror haven. Instead, Israel proposed moving the crossing to the junction of Israel, Gaza and Egypt so Israel can retain a measure of control.

Palestinians rejected the idea, saying it would violate their sovereignty, also fearing the new border terminal would become another Karni.

Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres said Israel was working in good faith to reach an agreement that would allow the flow of goods and people across Gaza's border, though security was its top priority.

"Our intention is to create solutions, not to create problems," he said. "I am sure that a solution will be found," he said.

Reaching an agreement on the flow of exports is crucial to Gaza's success, international officials said.

"Increasingly this is how Gaza will have to earn its living, as opposed to be being supported by the international community," said Nigel Roberts, the World Bank's country director for the West Bank and Gaza.

Gaza's exporters view Karni as their source of oxygen. When it is open, their companies are healthy and energetic; when it closes, they wheeze, choke and eventually collapse.

On a recent day, workers unloaded everything from seafood to new classroom chairs and stacked them on pallets to be sent through Israeli X-ray machines inside a security barrier on the border. The goods were then loaded onto Israeli trucks on the other side.

Many of the gates processing goods were closed, and workers complained that Israeli regulations, which they said were constantly changing, further slowed the process.

Karni is processing only about 50 truckloads of goods a day, a fraction of its capacity, said Salim Abu Safia, the director of the Palestinian border authority. Israeli officials disputed the figures.

Gaza's businesses are ready to send between 130 and 150 truckloads of goods over the border daily, which the terminal could easily handle if Israel would send more X-ray machines and beef up the infrastructure, according to Daher, head of Paltrade.

"That will jump-start the economy in Gaza. The increasing production will encourage foreign and local investments and will increase, even more, exports," Daher said.

Businesses like Al-Awda are key to that economic recovery.

Mohammed Tilbani started the company 30 years ago, making sweets in his parents' house. He named his business Al-Awda, or "the return," to commemorate Palestinian refugees' desire to return to homes they fled in Israel during the 1948 Mideast War.

Over the years, the business exploded and by the 1990s, Al-Awda was selling about $670,000 worth of biscuits, chocolate wafers and pretzels a month, most of its products going to the West Bank and abroad. Al-Awda's factory in Deir el-Balah was bustling 24 hours a day to meet demand, even running shifts on Friday, the Muslim Sabbath, said Iyad Tilbani, Mohammed's son.

When Israeli-Palestinian violence broke out five years ago, Al-Awda's export line was cut. Karni was often closed for long stretches at a time, and even when it was open the flow of goods was at best a trickle.

Al-Awda's monthly sales plummeted. Nearly half the company's 350 workers were fired, and few of them found other jobs, Iyad Tilbani said.

"The intefadeh (uprising) destroyed us," he said.

Iyad Tilbani, 29, walked around the factory floor, where some workers stacked blocks of wafers rolling off conveyor-belt driven machines, and others packed biscuits in boxes. He pointed to another production line that once made cigar shaped chocolate wafers, but has been silenced since the Palestinian uprising started five years ago.

When Karni closes, the company shuts down production completely and sends its workers home, sometimes for a week at a time.

Mohammed Tilbani believes he can sell as much as $1.1 million worth of cookies a month with no restrictions, and he called on the Palestinian Authority to fight hard for a port, airport and open border for Gaza.

If they don't get it, he said, "We will return to war."