My previous post, in which I anticipated something like Armageddon if the Israeli incursion into the West Bank were not resolved within 48 hours from this past Tuesday, was clearly over the top. However, I am not at all sure that the Arab States will quietly stand by and allow the eradication of the semblance or prospect of a Palestinian State. There may not be tanks over the border or the old Jordanian Legion mounting a frontal camel-cavalry charge, but the Arab oil producing state can surely figure out something that will make Sharon’s government regret this thing. The irony is that Israeli tanks and personnel carriers are probably running on Arab oil.
As to Israeli intentions toward the West Bank, it is worth noting that the Israeli occupation has been going on for 35 years now. In that time there have been any number of schemes and devices for an Israeli pull out from the West Bank and Gaza and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State that have been frustrated one way or another. In the mean time there has been continued plantation of Jewish settlements and continued measures that serve to make Palestinians realize that Israel is going to call the shots whether Palestinians like it or not and that there will be no Palestinian return to confiscated lands in Israel. Talking has gotten the Palestinians very little that is not subject to summary take back by Israel. Every Jewish settlement is one more reason for an Israeli government to find a real pull back from the West Bank politically inexpedient. I can certainly think that an otherwise rational and reasonable Palestinian would conclude that the only way Israel will pull out is if the cost of a continued occupation is more than Israel is willing to pay. At that point the “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country” mindset tends to take over.
Is it my imagination, or have Israeli objective expanded? It seem to me that we started off with an expressed objective of isolating Arafat and the PA, which became the destruction of the infrastructure of terrorism (what ever that means) to the destruction of the Palestinian militia (what ever that is). Is this the same as making the continued presence of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza untenable? Is that the real objective—to force the Palestinians out and turn at least the West Bank into some sort of border march with the settlement as outposts?
Considering that witnesses said that the same gunman was also sniping at hospital and ambulance workers who tried to save the woman, I think it’s pretty dang intentional.
“Looks like some old grandmother hobbling on a cane.”
“Are you nuts? It’s OBVIOUSLY a cleverly-disguised suicide bomber with a rifle! Shoot her!”
I suppose the gunman could have been bored…
The Los Angeles Times is not infamous for tabloid journalism, last I looked. And since they had names and witnesses, I think the veracity of the story could be verified if one were to make an attempt.
But since you’re obviously considering yourself to be so infinitely wiser, perhaps you can tell me several situations where the afformentioned sniping would be acceptable?
And that’s why (as I said earlier in this thread) that both the Israelis and the Palestinians are a bunch of flamin’ nutballs that need to get pimp-smacked. HARD.
I hate 16-year-old girls who blow themselves up in crowded malls.
I hate snipers who gun down crippled grannies outside of hospitals.
You seem to be still clinging to the simple-minded assertion that one has to support either the Israelis or the Palestinians. When will you get it through your head that there are folks who are sick of the atrocities from both sides? See the title of this thread if you need a reminder.
Just because George W. Bush reduces the world to black-and-white terms doesn’t mean the world is obligated to comply.
