Bonnie Rogoff
Israel moves toward a one-state solution
By Bonnie Rogoff
There's good news coming from Jerusalem this week. There will be no more dead Israeli soldiers until after the evacuation in Gaza is complete, scheduled for later this summer. At least, that's what Hamas leaders have told the Jerusalem Post.
Isn't that reassuring?
These promises come on the heels of 398 additional prisoners being freed by the Israeli government in accordance with the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit last February, adding to the 500 already let go. Of the 398 prisoners released, 184 are from Fatah and 101 are from Hamas. Ninety only served a fraction of their sentences, and many were from the Nablus area. Israeli Insider reports that thousands of Palestinians and officials in the West Bank Town of Nablus were seen cheering, firing guns and celebrating the release of these prisoners. This is no innocuous reunion between Palestinians and their relatives. Nablus is a hotbed of Palestinian terrorist activities, so we already know the significance of all this rejoicing and what it portends for Israel in the near future.
Meanwhile, last week five Islamic Jihad terrorists failed in their mission to get past IDF roadblocks to their target city, Jerusalem, where they were planning to blow themselves up in a coffee house or synagogue. They were arrested. G-d only knows how many dozens of dead Israelis and hundreds wounded there could have been had this potentially deadly attack not been thwarted by the IDF. As reported in Arutz Sheva: "The PA helped a suicide bomb gang by refusing to arrest them and asking Israel to pardon them. Israel released from jail or custody two of the Arab terrorists who almost succeeded to attack."
In other words, the PA's role in aiding and abetting the most militant terrorists did not end with Yasser Arafat's death. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas says the era of suicide bombings is over and we're supposed to believe him? President Bush hands the PA a check for $50 million dollars in humanitarian aid for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank, and we're supposed to support a "two state solution?" With every concession, we're moving closer toward a one state solution. Settlement outposts provide intelligence and are a first line of defense and they will be dismantled after the pullout begins. Without IDF border patrols of the territories, controlling homicide bombers trying to infiltrate Israel proper will be near impossible.
Gaza settlers are under pressure by Israeli officials and the Bush administration to move quickly. Evacuation of the settlements will be difficult. The IDF is ready, but the civilians are not. To date, only half the settlers have applied to the Disengagement Administration for relocation assistance. Due to Hamas' success in recent municipal elections, Israel's Civil Administration is now cooperating with Hamas council leaders in the West Bank villages. Prior to Oslo, negotiations with terrorist groups were unthinkable; now they are inevitable. How can there be any assurance that the PA will dismantle terrorist infrastructures in the region once the pullout is over?
The extent of media coverage regarding homicide bombings in Israel corresponds with the number of victims: the higher the body count, the more generous the reporting. Every day, settlers and soldiers are subjected to rock throwings, car bombings, stabbings, lynchings, drive-by shootings and mortar bombs that are called "incidents." Since September, 2000, the total number of attacks in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Home Front are 22,406. Of those, 12,776 (57%) occurred in the Gaza Strip and 8,741 (39%) in the West Bank. The total number of Israeli casualties: 7,176 injured and 1,049 dead. Examples of recent "incidents" are reported on the IDF website:
Writing for Israel Insider, Rabbi David Eliezrie reports on how Israeli officials are using intimidation and violent tactics toward settlers and religious Jews. A woman wearing an anti-disengagement t-shirt was interrogated by police. Religious Jews trying to attend a speech given by Prime Minister Sharon were banned entrance unless they removed their yarmulkes. A group of Yeshiva students were arrested and held for no reason. New York State Assembly member Dov Hikind arrived at Lod airport with a group of New York Jews, and they were grilled for almost an hour. Israel seeks common ground with Arab terrorists aimed at their destruction but treats religious Jews with contempt!
The Third Intifada is underway. Israel's impending withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank will result in terrorist factions becoming stronger and more organized. Countless Jewish casualties will result with no improvements in relations between the parties involved. It's a suicide mission, and it's sad to watch.
© Bonnie Rogoff
There's good news coming from Jerusalem this week. There will be no more dead Israeli soldiers until after the evacuation in Gaza is complete, scheduled for later this summer. At least, that's what Hamas leaders have told the Jerusalem Post.
Isn't that reassuring?
These promises come on the heels of 398 additional prisoners being freed by the Israeli government in accordance with the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit last February, adding to the 500 already let go. Of the 398 prisoners released, 184 are from Fatah and 101 are from Hamas. Ninety only served a fraction of their sentences, and many were from the Nablus area. Israeli Insider reports that thousands of Palestinians and officials in the West Bank Town of Nablus were seen cheering, firing guns and celebrating the release of these prisoners. This is no innocuous reunion between Palestinians and their relatives. Nablus is a hotbed of Palestinian terrorist activities, so we already know the significance of all this rejoicing and what it portends for Israel in the near future.
Meanwhile, last week five Islamic Jihad terrorists failed in their mission to get past IDF roadblocks to their target city, Jerusalem, where they were planning to blow themselves up in a coffee house or synagogue. They were arrested. G-d only knows how many dozens of dead Israelis and hundreds wounded there could have been had this potentially deadly attack not been thwarted by the IDF. As reported in Arutz Sheva: "The PA helped a suicide bomb gang by refusing to arrest them and asking Israel to pardon them. Israel released from jail or custody two of the Arab terrorists who almost succeeded to attack."
In other words, the PA's role in aiding and abetting the most militant terrorists did not end with Yasser Arafat's death. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas says the era of suicide bombings is over and we're supposed to believe him? President Bush hands the PA a check for $50 million dollars in humanitarian aid for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank, and we're supposed to support a "two state solution?" With every concession, we're moving closer toward a one state solution. Settlement outposts provide intelligence and are a first line of defense and they will be dismantled after the pullout begins. Without IDF border patrols of the territories, controlling homicide bombers trying to infiltrate Israel proper will be near impossible.
Gaza settlers are under pressure by Israeli officials and the Bush administration to move quickly. Evacuation of the settlements will be difficult. The IDF is ready, but the civilians are not. To date, only half the settlers have applied to the Disengagement Administration for relocation assistance. Due to Hamas' success in recent municipal elections, Israel's Civil Administration is now cooperating with Hamas council leaders in the West Bank villages. Prior to Oslo, negotiations with terrorist groups were unthinkable; now they are inevitable. How can there be any assurance that the PA will dismantle terrorist infrastructures in the region once the pullout is over?
The extent of media coverage regarding homicide bombings in Israel corresponds with the number of victims: the higher the body count, the more generous the reporting. Every day, settlers and soldiers are subjected to rock throwings, car bombings, stabbings, lynchings, drive-by shootings and mortar bombs that are called "incidents." Since September, 2000, the total number of attacks in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Home Front are 22,406. Of those, 12,776 (57%) occurred in the Gaza Strip and 8,741 (39%) in the West Bank. The total number of Israeli casualties: 7,176 injured and 1,049 dead. Examples of recent "incidents" are reported on the IDF website:
- Thirteen Mortar bombs were fired at Israeli communities in the Negev.
- Fire was opened on three different occasions towards IDF forces and Israeli citizens.
- Forty-three Mortar bombs were fired at Israeli communities and open fields in the Gaza Strip.
- An anti-tank missile was fired at an IDF post along the Israel-Egypt borderline.
- A kassam rocket was fired at an Israeli community in the western Negev.
Writing for Israel Insider, Rabbi David Eliezrie reports on how Israeli officials are using intimidation and violent tactics toward settlers and religious Jews. A woman wearing an anti-disengagement t-shirt was interrogated by police. Religious Jews trying to attend a speech given by Prime Minister Sharon were banned entrance unless they removed their yarmulkes. A group of Yeshiva students were arrested and held for no reason. New York State Assembly member Dov Hikind arrived at Lod airport with a group of New York Jews, and they were grilled for almost an hour. Israel seeks common ground with Arab terrorists aimed at their destruction but treats religious Jews with contempt!
The Third Intifada is underway. Israel's impending withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank will result in terrorist factions becoming stronger and more organized. Countless Jewish casualties will result with no improvements in relations between the parties involved. It's a suicide mission, and it's sad to watch.
© Bonnie Rogoff
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