I live in Israel and I do not see some of the facts you mention

Submitted by Dan Ater (Israel), Aug 15, 2005 at 11:38

You say:
"Just as the Israeli departure from Lebanon five years earlier provoked new violence, so too will fleeing Gaza."
What violence you refer to. The Lebanese border is much quieter than it was when IDF occupied positions inside Lebanon. Some connect the two Intifadahs to that retreat, however there is no direct evidence that the Palestinians would have acted differently had IDF still been in Lebanon. I think you use an unproven assumption as a fact for the proof of your subsequent claims.

You say:
"The Sharon government has also defaulted on its obligations to its allies in the war on terror. As other states, such as Great Britain, finally show signs of getting more serious about counterterrorism"

Since 40 years ago and up until now Israel has been almost the only active fighter against terrorism. Many times acts of legitimate self-defense were misrepresented in the mass media as Israeli terrorism against . . . blah, blah, blah. (I rise my hat to the Palestinian propaganda, which is infinitely more efficient than the Israeli communication with the mass media.) In this case you have flick-flacked 180 degrees in blaming Israel for the exact opposite. ...

Some facts you may consider:
The current status of affairs in Gaza strip:
- Is expensive, very expensive. It is so expensive, the state of Israel has to reduce budgets on Education, Health, Infrastructure development and others.
- Ties an enormous number of military resources, mainly due to the need to protect Israeli population living among the Palestinian population.
- Generates a demographic situation which leads the area to a South Africa fate. 10 years from now there will equal numbers of Palestinians and Jews between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River.
...
So you neglect the essentals and emphasize the minor possible damages and I wonder what makes you think so.

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