Withdrawal from Gaza

Submitted by Ted Matthews (United States), Aug 16, 2005 at 03:07

I remember well as a young man in the UK, the occasion of the 6 Days War. There was a tension in the world regarding the build up of Egytian, Jordanian and Syrians forces along Israel's borders.

When the Isreili army struck the first blow I cheered. It was like seeing the school bullies beaten comprehensively by the classroom geek. The little guy, so abused for years became a man not to be provoked any longer.

I know now that this was a very naive construct of what was happening but all through my life it has remained in my mind and I suppose it wan't that far from the truth anyway.

I have however been distrurbed by lack of Israeli policy in returning to pre war boundaries in defiance of UN resolutions over the last 40 years. This lack of commitment to the UN by Israel has really streched my own personal feelings for the politics stance that has been taken.

By comparison we made our peace with Germany and Japan in much less time, We all have prospered and learned from each other.
By contrast Israel has remained in a constant state of emergency. It's war has never been concluded through the refusal to be anything less than a nation of occupation. Surely, the withdrawal from Gaza is at once the boldest step in modern day politics and a decision long overdue.

The Palestinian issue is by far the greatest contibutor to the foundation world tension. It could have been resolved many years and generations ago. Let Israel comply with the outstanding resolutions. Involve the UN. The 'go it alone' policy has outlived it's time.

Ted Matthews, Lancashire England

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