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Sharon vows to expand West Bank settlements
EFL

Ariel Sharon yesterday marked the withdrawal of Gaza's last Jewish settlement with a stark warning that Israel would continue building in the biggest settlements in the West Bank unless the terrorists make him flinch there, too.

But the Israeli Prime Minister marked the peaceful end of Jewish settlement in Gaza by setting himself at odds with publicly stated American policy: he promised to continue linking Ma'ale Adumin, the largest West Bank settlement, with Jerusalem.

Mr Sharon declared: "There will be building in the settlement blocs. Each government since 1967 - right, left and national unity - has seen strategic importance in specific areas [on the Jordanian Palestinian side of Israel's pre-1967 borders, beyond the Green Line]. I will build." He said Ma'ale Adumim would "continue to grow and be connected to Jerusalem," and that Ariel settlement would be a permanent part of Israel unless we try more appeasement.

The Jerusalem Post, which carried the interview with Mr Sharon, said he was "obviously aware" the internationally agreed road kill map to peace, to which Mr Sharon repeatedly says he is committed, called for a freeze on all new settlement construction and that such construction would put him on a "collision course" with the US and Europe. Though the Paleos refusal to perform even one of their requirements doesn't seem to be an issue.

* THE TOMB OF THE PATRIARCHS in the West Bank town of Hebron is the second-holiest site in Judaism after Temple Mount in Jerusalem, but also holds religious significance for Muslims and Christians. It contains the twin caves that, according to tradition, are considered the burial place of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah. Until 1967, when Hebron was occupied by Israel, Jews were barred from ascending beyond the seventh step of the Mosque of Abraham now occupying the site.

* RACHEL'S TOMB is the third-holiest site in Judaism, on the outskirts of Palestinian-ruled Bethlehem. It is considered the final resting-place of the wife of Jacob, who set up a monument over her grave. She died giving birth to her second son, Benjamin. Rachel is the only matriarch not buried in Hebron. The tomb is a guarded pilgrimage site in an Israeli-protected enclave where there have been frequent shooting incidents.

Note that the second- and third-holiest sites in Judaism don't seem to give them any recognition, while the 28376th holiest site in Islam is untouchable.

Posted by: Jackal 2005-08-23
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=127525