Israel Evicts Settlers From Gaza

[mcgreen311]

Since no one else has brought it up yet, I guess I shall. I'm curious to hear from those more educated on the subject. Is this a real concession or just nominal? What will the global effect be? Any other impressions of the whole matter?

Here's a link to Sharon's speech:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4154798.stm

Sharon's speech on Gaza pullout

Sharon: Israel cannot hold on to Gaza forever
The following is the full text of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's televised speech on the first day of the evacuation of settlers from the Gaza Strip.
The day has arrived. We are beginning the most difficult and painful step of all, evacuating our communities from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria (West Bank).

This step is very difficult for me personally. It is not with a light

heart that the government of Israel made this decision on disengagement and the parliament did not lightly approve it.

It is no secret that, like many others, I had believed and hoped we could forever hold onto Netzarim and Kfar Darom.

To an outstretched hand we shall respond with an olive branch, but we shall fight fire with the harshest fire ever

But the changing reality in the country, in the region, and the world, required of me a reassessment and change of positions.

We cannot hold on to Gaza forever. More than a million Palestinians live there and double their number with each generation.

They live in uniquely crowded conditions in refugee camps, in poverty and despair, in hotbeds of rising hatred with no hope on the horizon.

It is out of strength and not weakness that we take this step. We tried to reach agreements with the Palestinians that would move both peoples towards a path of peace.

These were crushed against a wall of hatred and fanaticism.

'Good for Israel'

The unilateral disengagement plan I announced two years ago is the Israeli answer to this reality.

This plan will be good for Israel in any future scenario. We are reducing daily friction and its victims on both sides.

I initiated the plan because I reached the conclusion that this action is essential for Israel

The Israeli army will redeploy along defensive lines behind the security fence.

Those who continue to fight us will meet the full force of the Israeli army and security forces.

The Palestinians bear the burden of proof. They must fight terrorist organisations and dismantle their infrastructure and show sincere intentions for peace so they can sit with us at the negotiating table.

The world is waiting for the Palestinian response - a hand stretched out to peace or the fire of terror.

To an outstretched hand we shall respond with an olive branch, but we shall fight fire with the harshest fire ever.

The disengagement will allow us to look inward. Our national agenda will change.

In our economic policy we will be free to turn to closing social gaps and to waging a real fight on poverty.

We will advance education and increase the personal security of every citizen in the country.

'Pain and anguish'

The controversy over the disengagement plan has caused difficult wounds, a bitter hatred between brothers, and strong statements and actions.

I understand the pain and anguish of the opponents, but we are one people, even when fighting and arguing.

Residents of Gaza, today we end a glorious chapter in Israel's history, a central episode in your lives as pioneers, as realisers of the dream of those who bore the security and settlement burden for all of us.

Your pain and your tears are an inextricable part of the history of our country.

Whatever differences we have, we shall not abandon you and after the evacuation we will do everything to rebuild your lives and communities anew.

I want to tell the soldiers and police, you face a difficult mission. You do not face an enemy, but brothers and sisters.

Sensitivity and patience are the order of the hour. I am sure that is how you will act. I want you to know the people stand behind you and are proud of you.

Citizens of Israel, the responsibility for Israel's future is mine. I initiated the plan because I reached the conclusion that this action is essential for Israel.

Believe me, the pain I feel with this act is the same as the full realisation that we must do it.

We are taking a new path that also has no small number of risks, but which also contains a ray of hope for us all.

With God's help this path shall be one of unity and not division, and not animosity between brothers, of unconditional love and not hatred.

I will do my utmost to ensure that it will be so.

[NotMyOwn]

This is an agreement that was put forth and agreed to with the Oslo accords. Of course true to form, the Palestinians have made no concessions that they had agreed on.

[ICarlson99]

Another instance of Israel giving up something tangible (land) for a promise that won't be kept (peace). If nothing else, they can expose the Palestinian hypocrisy and they won't have to defend the Gaza strip anymore.

[Howlin' Wolf]

this is a great day for the palestinian people

[Mr.Elwood]

this is a great day for the palestinian people
Lets hope they accept it graciously... considering it’s an entire area already built and livable...

I doubt it..

They'll just claim it was theirs and want more... and Israel will get fed up with them and the West and just close the borders... then someone will attack and Viola... problem solved... Palestinians will be slaughter in big enough numbers to decimate and further terrorist ideas..

[Howlin' Wolf]

Lets hope they accept it graciously... considering it’s an entire area already built and livable...

I doubt it..

They'll just claim it was theirs and want more... and Israel will get fed up with them and the West and just close the borders... then someone will attack and Viola... problem solved... Palestinians will be slaughter in big enough numbers to decimate and further terrorist ideas..

considering its an entire area that the UN outlined in 1967 as being palestinian. there is a reason that it is called "occupation". if gaza was considered to be part of israel, then there would be no need for pull outs. i dont see the US and UN pushing for israel to pull out of jerusalem and tel-aviv

and i dont think palestinians will be slaughtered, as in i also dont think you will see them try to become grab happy about the land. remember that the palestinians have lived thousands of years before 1948.

i see a civil war coming in israel. the orthodox jewish leaders have been very outspoken over the pullout and have called for the IDF to stand down and ignore orders from the secular government. i think the pullout will get very ugly. but i dont think the palestinians will play a role.

either way, its very very interesting to see

[Mr.Elwood]

considering its an entire area that the UN outlined in 1967 as being palestinian. there is a reason that it is called "occupation". if gaza was considered to be part of israel, then there would be no need for pull outs. i dont see the US and UN pushing for israel to pull out of jerusalem and tel-aviv

and i dont think palestinians will be slaughtered, as in i also dont think you will see them try to become grab happy about the land. remember that the palestinians have lived thousands of years before 1948.

i see a civil war coming in israel. the orthodox jewish leaders have been very outspoken over the pullout and have called for the IDF to stand down and ignore orders from the secular government. i think the pullout will get very ugly. but i dont think the palestinians will play a role.

either way, its very very interesting to see
I know it's probably an unhealthy attitude, but you are right.. From my safe and comfy perspective, it is going to be very interesting to see how this gets sorted out…

I should be really optimistic but, with the hardliners from both sides getting more obsessed with not “giving in”, I fear this is just the beginning of an even worse battle between the two groups.

This is one of those spots that you just have to look towards God and just say “It’s all in your hands” (stating the obvious of course)…

[Howlin' Wolf]

I know it's probably an unhealthy attitude, but you are right.. From my safe and comfy perspective, it is going to be very interesting to see how this gets sorted out…

I should be really optimistic but, with the hardliners from both sides getting more obsessed with not “giving in”, I fear this is just the beginning of an even worse battle between the two groups.

This is one of those spots that you just have to look towards God and just say “It’s all in your hands” (stating the obvious of course)…
i agree that it will get ugly, but i like Abbas and i like what he is doing. and sharon seems to have turn over a new leaf, which leads me to believe there is something going on underneath the surface

lets not forget that sharon is the same guy that wiped out an entire palestinian refugee camp, women and children, in one fail swoop during the beirut war

[sirlok]

What I find interesting is, from what I've heard and read, the evacuations started on on August 14th. Our Jewish friends observed Tish’ah b’Av "The Ninth Day of Av" on the 14th.
On this day a few things happened in the history of Israel. Such as the destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples. Other things are attributed to this very day, making it known as a sad day from a historic standpoint. And I've even heard a few conjectures made on what might come to pass in the future on this day Tish’ah b’Av. Like war, or the rapture...
I just feel it's tragic that their government started the evac on a day known for tragedies. Then again I believe the Lord knows what He is doing.
Peace to Israel, Lord, bring Peace to Israel.

Matt. 23:37-39
"...you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' "

[Howlin' Wolf]

Key word in "Beirut War"? War.
and its called a "war crime"

remember the holocaust?

[Howlin' Wolf]

The holocaust was an organized extermination that only took place within Germany. There are no death camps for Palestinians in Israel.

i didnt realize that there was a difference between gasing people and bulldozing there homes while they are still inside