Shek

Illusha,
Some day you'll see the strategic genius of the Gaza pullout. What Sharon has done is presented a sh!t or get off the pot situation for the Palestinians. Instead of demonstrating what they can do, the different terror groups will self-destruct the PA, setting back their efforts to force a diplomatic solution for years if not decades. All Israel has to say is "look, we gave them a chance with Oslo at autonomy and they couldn't handle it; however, in good faith, we gave them Gaza, and they screwed that up even worse." End of story, no international pressure against Israel over the West Bank will withstand the weight of a story like the above.

The Palestinians may surprise me, but I'm not holding my breath while waiting on an effective PA to actually be able to govern and provide for its people.

As far as your anti-Semetic comment, what's your beef? Care to try and offer some sort of argument beyond just emoting?

Shek

Amled, the settlements were razed at the request of the Palestinian Authority - they want to construct multi-family dwellings and didn't want single family homes. I'm sure you already knew this, but your post came across as if Israel destroyed the homes to prevent the Palestinians from using Jewish homes, so I wanted to make sure that it was clear to everyone else that it was a Palestinian choice to have the homes razed.

ZFBoxcar

And illusha, you've gotta realize that pretty much everyone who's posted in this thread is pro-Israel, its not like this is a bunch of Europeans (no offense to our European members) or Arabs (if we have any Arab members, no offense to you guys either) cheering because they hope this is phase one of Israel's destruction. The Gaza Strip was dead weight for Israel in every way.

illusha

As I understand it, Bush and the state department created this Peace Plan(forget the quartet, it was the U.S. and only the U.S.). They set up these conditions and continually made statements that Israel HAS TO give up land so there can be a "Palestine" country. Of course, Ariel Sharon had no choice but to accept it otherwise all the aid the U.S. can vanish and all the military parts/planes Israel needs will be gone. It is done behind the scenes, a diplomat tells another diplomat that the order for the f16 parts might be shipped in late and the diplomat gets the threat. The point is, as far as I know it, Bush started up this talk about a peace plan(created with Saudi Arabia I think), not sharon. This is just another U.S. president trying to win a noble peace prize.

He should have just left this situation alone, it is not his business to fix everything that is messed up.

Leader

It's a good thing Israel isn't filled with people like you. If your ilk came to power in Israel, Israel wouldn't have a single ally.

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bull

Pathetic!!!

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What's the difference between people who pray in church and those who pray in casinos?
The ones in the casinos are serious.

troung

Basically the IDF couldn't tear down the temples so the PA was either to have them torn down or guard them...

Time to stop hiding behind a CPU and go out and pop some Arabs huh?

I agree...

Shek

Illusha,

It's called the Road Map to Peace, not Peace Plan. You should do some research beyond whatever sites you are currently using. I'll help you out Road Map to Peace Next, if you look at the some of the more prominent members of the Bush Administration, there have been several Jewish Neo-Cons - are they anti-Semetic? Does that demonstrate anti-Semetism by Bush in appointing them? If you doubt this, type in Jewish Neo-Con and I would be willing to bet money that you'll come up with dozens of leftist conspiracy websites that will list all of them. Of course, that will kind of zap your argument.

Next, so what if the Road Map to Peace plan was helped to be developed by Saudi Arabia - does that automatically taint it in your eyes? Don't you think that's rather bigoted to dismiss something you seemingly know very little about?

It's probably a good thing that you're joining the military, as it should help you overcome these prejudices once you're forced to work with others you may not normally associate with.

Finally, what is your argument then on the way forward to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? The status quo certainly hasn't been successful given that we are on the second intifada. Remember, if you invoke God, your are using the same ideology that Al Qaeda is using to justify their terror campaign.

SloMax

Every nation who would live under occupation would do the same. All over Europe (and the World) the people reacted the same when the regime changed. They destroyed the symbols of the occupation, this happens almost every time. I totally agree with Amled's argument about the public relation victory. The history is full of examples for this type of behavior (example: Italy- fall of Mussolini).

ZFBoxcar

No no, the PA did NOT tear them down. The PA stood watch while the people came in and burned. If the PA had been doing it there would be no PR victory for Israel because they would just be fulfilling a demand they made to Israel that they be torn down. This way it looks like anarchy, which it is.

Leader

You're argument is based on no less then three fallacies. You assume "Palestine" is a nation. It isn't. You assume the Israel occupation is like other occupations. It isn't. You assume that if the above things are true that in some way justifies juvenile destruction of property.

thesaint

So what is it then ?

Shek

Palestine consists of two territories that were controlled by Egypt and Jordan after the UN partition plan of 1947. Israel captured these disputed territories from the nations of Egypt and Jordan during the War of 1967.

Leader

Land with people on it.

bull

Palestenian cause was long burried.The arabs and islamic world have caused them more damage than what the evil jews have done to them.Its time they understand who is on their side and who is not.