You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Middle East
You own the Land, We own the wall?
2003-02-18
Palestinians Protests After Israeli Army Commander Informs Bethlehem Residents of Partition
An Israeli army commander on Tuesday told Palestinians living near a Jewish pilgrimage site in Bethlehem that their neighborhood will be cut off from the rest of the town by a security wall, and that outsiders will need special permits to enter. Palestinians complained that Israel grabbed the land illegally and is dividing the town in violation of previous peace agreements. Israel says the wall is necessary to protect Jewish worshippers and keep Palestinian militants out of Israel.
The Paleos, on the other hand, are still killing people at random, also in violation of previous peace agreements...
At issue is the area around Rachel's Tomb, the traditional burial site of the biblical matriarch. Abutting the already heavily fortified tomb are Palestinian homes, shops, a Muslim cemetery and a refugee camp. The area is on the northern edge of Bethlehem, just south of Jerusalem. Israel retained control over the tomb after it withdrew from Bethlehem in 1995, as part of interim peace agreements. In the past 29 months of fighting, Palestinian stonethrowers and gunmen have frequently clashed with soldiers guarding the site. Israeli troops have reoccupied all of Bethlehem, along with other West Bank towns, in recent months, in an offensive against militants.

Israel's security Cabinet approved the construction of the wall through Bethlehem in September, as part of a series of barriers around Jerusalem that are intended to keep out Palestinian militants. Over the weekend, Israel distributed notices to Palestinians living near the tomb that the neighborhood is formally being seized by Israel. The order said 3 1/2 acres are being taken. Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Nasser said that land only refers to what would be covered by the wall, and that in fact about 1,000 acres of Bethlehem would come under full Israeli control. About two dozen homes, as well as several shops and restaurants, are in that area, he said.
Posted by:Bruce

#6  Israel has to dismantle the settlements.

Not going to happen. As has already been mentioned, Israel came into control of the land by winning it from those that attacked them. Why should they simply give it up just because a member of the losing side says they should? The Palestinians can negotiate in good faith, or they can make demands/engage in terrorism and get nothing.

What has been their choice so far?
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2003-02-19 17:26:21  

#5  Israel has to dismantle the settlements.That said,why don't the Paleos ever called Jordans control of West Bank from 1948-1967 an "occupation"?
Posted by: Hugh Jorgan   2003-02-18 23:25:00  

#4  I believe that the Israelis are after 'piece of land' rather than 'land of peace'.

Well, seeing as how Israel has been attacked repeatedly and that they came into control of that land as a result of whipping the asses of their enemies, I don't see what the big deal is.

Now if the Palestinians think that the presence of settlements isn't right, do you think they should negotiate? Or is it perfectly okay to kill Jewish civilians?

Keep in mind: It's not just Jews in the settlements that are being attacked, but also in Israel proper. That tells me that the presence of settlements isn't really the issue it's made out to be.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2003-02-18 22:37:51  

#3  Bruce,
The Palestinians don't realize that they can't have the whole piece either. The sooner they accept that, the sooner they will have a lasting peace. Europe has seen borders redrawn & land lost dozens of times, and the people have adjusted somehow.
Posted by: RW   2003-02-18 19:44:11  

#2  Bomb-a-rama

So those ever expanding 'settlements' are kosher with you?

I believe that the Israelis are after 'piece of land' rather than 'land of peace'.
Posted by: Bruce   2003-02-18 14:34:43  

#1  What doesn't seem to have dawned on the Palestinians is that if they weren't so intent on killing Jews, there wouldn't be any wall-building. What's more, the Israeli military would then have NO REASON to be in Bethlehem.

There will only be peace when the Neanderthals (aka Palestinians) get this idea through their damn thick skulls.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2003-02-18 14:03:52  

00:00