As the sad and perhaps lethal day of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza arrives, I offer a chronological overview of my writings on this mistaken policy.
"Reading Sharon's Mind." New York Sun, December 23, 2003.
Expects that Sharon is more crafty than sincere about the Gaza withdrawal idea."Sharon Loses His Way On Israeli 'Settlements'." New York Sun, February 10, 2004.
Recognizes that Sharon is more sincere than crafty, criticizes him for this."Palestinian Responses to an Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza." DanielPipes.org, February 21, 2004.
Documents the Palestinians' claim that they pushed the Israelis out."Israel out of Gaza?" DanielPipes.org, March 20, 2004.
More skepticism on my part: "not only does Sharon seem to have little wish to fulfill his plan but neither do other Israelis want him to.""Israel's Wayward Prime Ministers." New York Sun, June 29, 2004.
Attempts to account for Sharon's radical change in policy by placing him the context of his three elected predecessors, all of whom made similar changes toward unilateral concessions."There Is No "Daniel Pipes Plan" for the Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza." DanielPipes.org, July 8, 2004.
Suggests a better way for the Israeli government to handle the withdrawal."Ariel Sharon, Far-Leftist." DanielPipes.org, March 11, 2005.
Documents Sharon's radical change across the political spectrum."Ariel Sharon's Folly." New York Sun, April 5, 2005.
Criticizes the Israeli prime minister for betraying his supporters, dividing Israeli society, handing the Palestinian rejectionists a unique victory, and failing his American ally."The Forcible Removal of Israelis From Gaza." FrontPageMag.com, April 11, 2005.
Establishes that what Sharon plans to do in Gaza has no precedent among democracies."Sharon's Gaza Withdrawal – Made in Washington?" DanielPipes.org, April 11, 2005.
Shows that the withdrawal policy was made in Jerusalem, not Washington."Business as Usual in the Palestinian Authority." New York Sun, May 17, 2005.
Argues that "Ariel Sharon [has] neatly arrayed all the elements for a massive train wreck.""The Gaza Withdrawal – A Dreamy Return to Oslo." DanielPipes.org, June 9, 2005.
Analyses a speech by Israel's vice prime minister Ehud Olmert that reveals the Likud leadership's magical premises."'Some Congressional Leaders Worry Gaza Pullout Amounts to Appeasement.'" DanielPipes.org, August 2, 2005.
Notes the quiet unease on Capitol Hill about the withdrawal plan."'Today Gaza, Tomorrow Jerusalem'." New York Sun, August 9, 2005.
Assesses aggressive Palestinian responses to the withdrawal plan."[The Gaza Withdrawal:] A Democracy Killing Itself." USA Today, August 15, 2005.
Lists the withdrawal's damaging implications.
(August 15, 2005)
As I continue to cover the topic, here are additional writings:
"Will the Gaza Precedent Haunt Israel?" DanielPipes.org, August 18, 2005.
Argues that Sharon has established a precedent for "disengagement" that will then apply to the West Bank."Israeli Taxpayers Fund Gaza Razing." DanielPipes.org, December 22, 2005.
Notes with surprise that Israelis are paying for the destruction of their own buildings."Admitting Israel's Unilateral Withdrawals a Mistake." DanielPipes.org, January 9, 2007.
A little late, but better late than never."Yossi Klein Halevi: Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza a 'Disaster'." DanielPipes.org, March 2, 2008.
A now-remorseful Israeli reflects on the Gaza withdrawal."Israel's Strategic Incompetence in Gaza." DanielPipes.org, January 11, 2009.
Blasts Ehud Olmert's multiple mistakes vis-à-vis Gaza, from 2003 forward.
"Reflections on Current Hamas-Israel Hostilities." DanielPipes.org, November 15, 2012.
Notes (1) how recent Arab-Israeli conflicts differ from earlier ones and (2) what Hamas motives might be.
