Gaza Pullout Delayed?
According to a DEBKAfile report, Sharon now wants to delay the Gaza pullout because he "could no longer ignore the fact that nothing is ready for the July 20 evacuation of 9,000 Israeli men, women and children from the Gaza Strip and N. West Bank." There has been a special cabinet session called for tomorrow, to confirm the one month delay. The report also acknowledges the disintegration of the "ceasefire" between Israel and the various terrorist factions in the territories. Today, 4 Israeli soldiers were injured in two separate attacks but there's been even more incidents in the last several days.
According to a communiqué from Israel’s high military command covering the last few days, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired eight mortar rounds at Israeli targets, injured three Israeli troops in nine sniper attacks and planted 7 explosive devices that were dismantled. The Palestinian force that Abbas “deployed” in the Gaza Strip when he took over melted away when the first mortar and missile firings were heard.
You're kidding! Abu Mazen's thugs became useless in protecting Israelis? No way! But wait, Ginsu knife lovers, there's more.
Furthermore, the post-disengagement arrangements charted with Egypt to secure the Philadelphi border strip and control the massive arms smuggling traffic from Sinai have fallen apart. Then, too, coordination with the Palestinians is a fading prospect. Mahmoud Abba poses hefty prior stipulations and the radical jihadists Hamas’ will not play along as they expect to oust his Fatah from government and overpower both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
DEBKA discusses how the Israeli government was trying hard to create the impression that things were moving speedily ahead, but they weren't the only ones.
The same false colors were presented by the Palestinians – especially to the American media - on purported reforms underway in the Palestinian Authority under chairman Mahmoud Abbas. He was said to have ordered the reorganization of all security organs under three authorities, made sweeping new appointments and was more than ready for his delayed trip to the White House.
Interesting that they also report that Sharon had hoped for hefty assistance from the US but Bush and other officials nixed that. But the following was of even more interest:
As for the Palestinians, Abbas’ claim that 1,000 former terrorists had applied for jobs with the new security forces “and opted for peace” was refuted this week when a Hamas spokesman declared that none of its members had any intention of joining Palestinian security services. Both Hamas and Fatah, each out of respective considerations of political expediency, are threatening to revive rival violent campaigns against Israel. Some DEBKAfile military sources estimate that they have put the date for ending the partial lull forward from June to May – or even earlier.
Is anyone really surprised?
posted by Esther @ 4:24 PM
15 comments
15 Comments:
"As for the Palestinians, Abbas’ claim that 1,000 former terrorists had applied for jobs with the new security forces “and opted for peace” "
Great.
That's what needed; terrorists as security forces.
abbas was portrayed in the last Time amgazine as a revolutionary and peace seeker.
RR, I'm not fond of the idea of retreating from land without getting anything in return. I feel that it's inviting trouble/war. The terror groups spin it (as they have been spinning this) as a victory for terror, that Israel is weak, they have them running, etc. As for the WT article saying Israelis are vying for Polish citizenship..... I haven't heard that. Will have to check it out. Commenting while drunk is very daring, lol.
felis -- tell me about it. Oy.
That's horrible, RW. They really said that?! I'm so done with Time Mag.
What did Israel get for staying IN Gaza? Just a lot of misery from attacks on settlers and financial hardship for the rest of the Israeli population. Gaza settlements are of no strategic value to Israel. I agree, though -- the West Bank is a completely different story. Israel has historical and strategic reasons for retaining portions of the West Bank.
Gindy, you've seen DEBKA wrong? A few times?
Jonathan, I know we've clashed on this many times already but I'm not saying stay in Gaza forever -- yet leaving on our own shows weakness in the terrorists' eyes. Israel will pay for that weakness.
I think the Gaza pullout shows strength, wisdom, and pragmatism. Who cares what the terrorists think? They will always hate Israel and attack her people no matter what Israel does. Why give them another cause to rally around? Plus, by leaving on its own terms, Israel will have a much stronger case for holding onto key portions of the West Bank.
I am a fan of Debka, too, but as Gindy points out, it has been inaccurate from time to time.
Jonathan, while I don't care what terrorists think, imagine being there. You feel like things just keep getting worse. Violence is everywhere. Nothing is going how you've been told it would. Suddenly, the terror groups announce to you that the Jews are leaving the area, the violence was worth it -- you are now free of these horrible people. You're thinking, wow.....they're right. Violence DOES work. Let's do more! Maybe we can get the whole thing. That is what's going to happen and that's not good.
Esther, there is also the possibility that the Palestinian radicals are as tired as the Israelis of violence. By leaving Gaza, Israel has taken away a reason for Hamas and Islamic Jihad to fight. You say things are getting worse . . . Actually, things are getting better. The defensive fence accounts for much of the success. The death of Arafat also helps. People worried about the consequences of the pullout from Lebanon -- that it would embolden the terrorists up north. It didn't. I just cannot imagine substituting my own judgment (from the safety of America) for that of the majority of everyday Israelis who favor disengagement from Gaza. We don'ty have to live with the terrorists (yet). They do. They want out of Gaza. Are we really qualified to second-guess them?
. . . Patrick, it really is not their land to "give." Most Israelis see no value in keeping the Gaza, and are tired of sending their brothers, husbands and sons to defend 8,500 heavily subsidized, heavily fortified settler outposts. Don't confuse the Gaza Strip with the West Bank. The Israelis certainly don't.
Jonathan,
"People worried about the consequences of the pullout from Lebanon -- that it would embolden the terrorists up north."
What are you talking about? Ever hear of a nice little playgroup called Hizbollah? They absolutely took advantage of Israel being gone to get their foothold in there, terrorist camps, etc. That's why I'm so fearful of this. And I doubt the Lebanese Christians feel great about Israel's pullout and think nothing bad came of it either.
I would never tell Israelis they had to stay in Gaza. If they want to leave, go for it. But I feel horrible if they want to stay and are made to leave their homes (of a few decades) by their own government -- who asked them to move there in the first place.
"the Palestinian radicals are as tired as the Israelis of violence."
I think this is the whole purpose of their existence.
Without violence the whole Palestinian "ruling class" loses its importance, social status, income and political power.
Hezbullah -- you mean that group that formed in 1982 to resist Israel's invasion of Lebanon? Nothing good comes from longterm Israeli occupation of foreign land. . . . If the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon was such a disaster, why is the northern region safer than Tel Aviv or Jerusalem? (Answer: Because Israel controls the Golan, an absolute strategic necessity.) Gaza is unique in its strategic uselessness.
Esther, I just wanted to add that you are absolutely right about how Israel abandoned the Southern Lebanese Army when it pulled out of Lebanon. But that underscores the point I was trying to make about how Israeli occupations of land outside of Israel has never led to anything good. (At least the Lebanon occupation effort was not distracted by having to protect Jewish settlers.) . . . As for Gaza settlers who would choose to remain in Gaza, it would be suicide without IDF protection. Morale among IDF troops has never been lower, due to assignments like protecting Gaza settlements. These people knew they were moving into disputed territory. I sympathize with them to the extent they have to uproot themselves, but is it really so terrible that they will be relocated into Israel?
Pardon my comments, but I simply get frustrated with American Jews who stake out hawkish positions and treat Israel like the 51st state without giving any deference to what the actual Israeli poeple, including relatives of mine who have made aliya, want for the future of their country.
Jonathan, no need to apologize for how you feel! I admire that you too have passion for Israel. But my position is actually because of my empathy for Israelis, not despite it. But while you seem to identify with the people sending their kids into the IDF, I'm identifying with the people who are being made to leave their homes, some of them the only home they've known, because the govt is making them do it. I can see your position too, no worries. In the end, we both want the same thing -- a happy and safe Israel.
While we occasionally cross our swords at flashpoint issues (such as this), I can always count on your civility and your shared passion for the health of Israel. I understand your points, too, all valid. (Heck, I now read Caroline Glick because of you, so I am definitely listening to what you say.) Whether we agree or disagree (and we do both), thanks for your honesty and class.
Jonathan -- right back atcha, my friend. I always enjoy our clashes cause as you said, it stays civil. And you keep me on my toes! :)
So are you coming to AIPAC policy conference? I think you'd have a great time! I can't wait.
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