It is almost here. On August 17, the IDF will begin coordination of the Gaza Strip pullout. The disengagement, as it is often called by the media, is controversial because it touches on several issues of relevance for both Palestinians and Israelis. For me, this is a historical moment. However complicated and painful this pullout is right now, it is also the culmination of a process perhaps best represented by Ytzhak Rabin's efforts. Rabin's commitment to the cause of peace ended up costing him his llife. I only wish he were here to see it wasn't all in vain.
The arguments against the withdrawal usually fall under 3 categories: 1) religious: Israel was promised to the Jews by God, and no government has the privilege to waive this inalienable right; 2) political: the areas to be evacuated constitute Israeli territory as legitimately as Tel Aviv or Haifa, and relocating settlers is at best illegal, and violates their human rights; and 3) military: the plan is disastrous to Israeli security (and also an important moral victory for Hamas and other organizations, and will encourage them to continue executing terrorist attacks against Israel).
Those in favor argue that the pullout is the necessary first step in the direction of peace in the area. For one, it would put an end to the enormous financial and emotional drain of protecting those 9,000 settlers (surrounded by roughly 1 million Palestinians). Among supporters of the plan, the consensus on national security is that the pullout will be beneficial in the long run. Also, Israel will no longer be responsible for the Palestinians in Gaza (a diplomatic relief, no doubt); and most hope that the pullout will result in less friction with the Palestinian population, which in turn can result in the improvement of the Palestinian economy and living conditions.
It is a fact that Gaza suffers from a weak economy caused by a combination of robust growth and low income. More than 6 children are born to the average Gaza woman. At the same time, the imposition of border closures in response to security incidents in Israel has produced an unemployment rate of 50%. Consequently, approximately 60% of Gaza residents live under the poverty line. The complete collapse of the economy was prevented by an international grant of $2 billion to the Gaza Strip and West Bank in 2001-02. There are those who believe that economic growth for the Palestinians is crucial if there is to be lasting peace with Israel. I happen to agree with them.
Sadly, a lot of the financial support Palestinians receive has been traditionally redirected at the fighting of their cause rather than the building of their community and strengthening of their population. And also sadly, the Jewish settlers were backed and encouraged by the Israeli government until very recently. Still, as the saying goes, it is never too late to change.
I confess - living in Israel (1992 to 1994) reinforced my previous stance on the peace process. Sure, the settlers will lose their homes and their greenhouses and their holy ground, but let's be honest here: the government is compensating them for the move (among several other incentives and benefits such as paid-for movers and storage, families can receive between $200,000 and $350,000) and they can find more holy ground up north. I mean no disrespect by this. But these people need to realize that the peace process has reached a stalemate. And that they do not live in biblical Israel, this is 2005 and they are citizens and residents of modern day Israel (with all the responsibilities and privileges this entails).
All the same, the Palestinians will need to show evidence of their own support of the peace process; to do that, they will need to suppress the influence of organizations such as Hamas, which traditionally sabotages any negotiation that doesn't stipulate the handing over of all Israeli territory to the Palestinians.
In any event, I have no patience for Israeli and Jewish ultranationalism, extremism and prejudice. After all we Jews have been through, such behavior is inexcusable.
August 9, 2005
THE GAZA PULLOUT
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8 comments:
I wonder why Sharon needs to _force_ the settlers to leave. One explanation could be that when the Palestinians arrive and there will be a bloodshed, Israelis will blame Arik for "abandoning" the settlers. At least I see no other alternative. But this is stupid, of course - it is their choice...
The settlers are already blaming Sharon and claiming they have been abandoned. After all, one cannot forget thatt until recently Sharon was one of the big proponents of those settlements. Also, Sharon is not exactly forcing them to leave - the real date for the pullout is August 14, and anyone still there on the 17th will be in violation of the law. That is when the IDF would/will play a part. Some settlers have left already - I believe so. But frankly, I think that it won't be a peaceful pullout - these settlers are very extremist and they have weapons and all that.
One thing that no one has mentioned, at least that I've read, is that the settlers are likely to blow up their property, as it is going to revert to the Palestinians once the settlers leave.
That should be fun to watch. Ugh.
These people are borderline insane... I will not be surprised if they actually do it.
Gisela, you said that these people will be in violation of the law - can you please explain? What Israeli law would apply to that territory after the official withdrawal?
Basically, the idea is to allow the settlers to stay - at their own peril. Then no one can blame the government for forcing anyone out, for using Nazi-like transfer methods, etc.
Sergey, the settlers are supposed to leave on their own by Aug 14 (or maybe 15). The ones who do not do that will be then evicted by the military on the 17th.
That is the decision of the government. And I disagree with you - the methods employed in the pullout are hardly Nazi-like, and actually I am a little surprised at the comparison.
As you know, the Nazis were dealing with people who they classified as unwanted; they persecuted and murdered Jews and other groups they despised.
On the other hand, the Israelis issued an order to the population after the issue was voted and approved in a democratic process by the representatives of the people in the parliament. Those who defy the order are in direct disobedience with the government.
Also, the character of the removal of settlers - the Israeli government has gone through pains to ensure the eviction is as peaceful as possible; not only the IDF will be present, but also rabbis for the removal of mezuzot from the houses, psychologists to deal with the stress of the situation, movers paid for by the government and so for.
Also, the settlers are extremists, religious fanatics for the most part who are armed and extremely dangerous. This is nothing like the Nazi deportation system, Sergey.
Finally - allowing the settlers to stay at their own peril, as you propose, would send the message that Israelis are unable to control their own citizens, that the right factions in fact control the situation, and the message of good faith from Israel to the Palestinians (essential in peace talks, and from both sides) would be lost, which in turn would push actual peace to an even more distant future.
Gisela, you didn't understand. The settlers compare this eviction to the Nazi deportations, not me.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/07/31/nazi_reminders_in_gaza/
http://www.freep.com/news/nw/gaza1e_20050801.htm
Sergey - you're absolutely right, and I noticed it after I posted my comment... I guess I wrote (and read your comment) too fast :)
In any case, I do stand behind what I said before - allowing them to stay at their own peril is not the best option.
(funny - I already posted this comment and it doesn't show up?)
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