I’ve heard from time to time that the ultra-radical factions in Israel intend to seize the West Bank and proclaim the nation of Judea if Israel ever relinquishes control of the area. Are these just the rantings of Israeli yahoos, or is this something serious? If they actually tried, what would Israel do? Give them a wink and a nod, wash their hands of the whole deal, or actively oppose such an establishment? If we finally see a real pullback from the West Bank, is something like this a possibility?
Yahoos. The settlements cannot exist without Israel, either militarily or economically. We know it, they know it, the Palestinians know it.
If some Long Island born idiots still decide to stay after a pullout, I don’t know what the IDF would do. Either whomp them on the head and throw them on a bus, or go away, wait a few hours and then send some choppers to save them from the mobs.
Second waht Alessan said.
Nothing to add, just making it a unanimous vote by the israeli Jury…
Dani
There are some elements in Israel calling for annexation of the West Bank, just as there are elements in the PA calling for annexation of Israel.
Both sides’ extremists are just going to have to chill and settle for half a loaf.
Why would it be so hard for Israel to do what any sane government would do in this situation? Announce the handover, give the settlers in the West Bank a chance to get out, and wash their hands of them if they don’t. “I’m sorry…by your own choice, you’re no longer Israeli citizens and therefore not entitled to protection from the IDF. Seeya!”
That’s essentially what is going to be done for the most part.
Because Israelis cannot abandon Jews in trouble. It’s hardwired into our psyche.
Airlift them out then, like you did in Ethiopia, if you have to.
BTW, very kind of your nation to give refuge to the Palestinian Christians fleeing persecution in the PA’s jurisdiction. Israel doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the good things it does.
But they wouldn’t be abandoning them. It’s their choice to stay. Even with the knowledge that Israel can no longer protect them. That is NOT abandonment. Abandonment would be simply picking up and leaving them defenseless with no warning and no choice.
Coddling the settlers is one of the major factors that’s gotten Israel into the huge mess they’re in now. My God, the people are nuts! Let them go!
If Israel did stop providing security to the settlements, what do you folks think would happen to the settlements?
I don’t know…they’d end up being there no longer, because they didn’t belong there in the first place and wouldn’t be there if ultra-religious nuts didn’t think God had given them the right?
I have very little sympathy for people who think they can go take whatever they want because God told them they could. Sorry.
Well, that was one of his proposals in his first post.
Nevertheless. Even if they’re obnoxious assholes (which they tend to be), even if it’s their fault, we still have to protect them. Tell me this - at what point do parents get to stop bailing out their kids?
Every nation has its own obsessions. In the U.S, it’s freedom of speech, freedom of (or from) religion, and distrust of central government. In Japan, it’s respect and loyalty. In Europe - at least recently - it’s anti-nationalism and pacifism. In Israel, it’s this.
If there’s any chance of the Israeli public turning against the settlers, it’ll be because we’ll decide that they’re risking the lives of young IDF soldiers - the “favorite children” - for nothing. Frankly, I thing we’re getting there.
Eh, that sounds to much like Arafat refusing to go after his terrorists.
If neither side will deal with the obstacles to peace, there won’t be any. Simple as that.
As to the settlements, they could survive without outside assistance. Settlers are well-armed and have military training in most cases. Chances are if left alone they would organize, if they are not already organized. Personally, I would bet on the 200,000 or so settlers to end up ruling the 3 million Palestinians for at least a time, just like the South African whites managed to rule a population 10 times their size. If they were no longer subject to Israeli law and felt their existance threatened they would have every incentive to attempt to take over the Palestinian government.