Article

2004-06-04 Israel-Palestine

Terror alert in Jerusalem after Sharon fires ministers

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Posted by Mark Espinola 2004-06-04 5:12:42 PM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I do not know all of the complexities of Israeli politics, but Sharon's plan of evacuating untenable settlements in Gaza and the West Bank, followed by a wall seems to be the most tenable and achievable plan so far.

The Paleos get their state, such as they are and such as it is, and the Israelis do not have to deal with them any more, except to blow some Paleos away that are dumb enough to lob ordinance over the wall.

Holding onto settlements may have a religious connotation or something, but they do nothing but serve as magnets for Paleos.

I hope that the Israelis get it together and make the realignment and the wall happen. A resulting Paleo civil war is not the Israeli's problem. They are outa there.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2004-06-04 8:38:00 PM|| 2004-06-04 8:38:00 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Correct, Paul. As negotiation is not a meaningful option in the near term, separation and withdrawal are a strategic coup de main. Note how the "100 unique retaliations" or whatever b.s. Hamas threatened following dispatch of the wheelchair psycho and then the pediatrician of death have, uh, not materialized. The suicide-bomber terror war was Arafat's last gambit. The barrier and separation (supplemented by limited or zero Pal access to Green Line Israel) neutralize that weapon. Israel's economy is on the mend, as is the mood on security matters. The old line was the Pals would have to fight their civil war before the Israelis fought theirs -- the order may actually be reversed in practice, but the comparative intensity (nasty but containable in Israel, titanic and fateful among the Pals) of the two spats will be noticeably different. The only mystery is why this wasn't done two years ago, if not earlier.

Posted by Verlaine 2004-06-04 10:20:15 PM|| 2004-06-04 10:20:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 what can I add to AP and Verlaine's comments, other than ballsy move by Sharon to take the initiative?

Posted by Frank G 2004-06-04 10:42:53 PM|| 2004-06-04 10:42:53 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 I am impressed with his strategy. I wouldn't have thought of firing my ministers. Does anyone more familiar with the Israeli Constitution see a viable response to shut him down? Can they just replay the no confidence vote to stop him?

Posted by Super Hose 2004-06-04 10:44:41 PM|| 2004-06-04 10:44:41 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Sharon Can't fire everyone opposed... I'm sure he remembers a one Julius Caesar and "The Ides Of March"!

Posted by smn 2004-06-04 11:17:39 PM|| 2004-06-04 11:17:39 PM|| Front Page Top

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