The ‘price tag’ of our alliance
Nearly every debate I have with folks in the pro-Israeli camp seems to end with my opponent saying “Well we just can’t negotiate with those people, they are extremists and terrorists.” Israeli apologists seem to have some sort of collective amnesia about pre-nationhood Zionist terrorism in the cis-Jordan, and a seeming blind eye to Jewish extremism in the occupied territories today. Case in point, extremist settlers are now attacking Palestinian villages in ‘reprisal raids’ in response to Israeli security forces dismantling illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank – tactics they call the ‘price tag’ of the government’s actions.
It would be encouraging, I guess, to think that the Israeli government has taken at least a few token steps to dismantling the illegal settlements, but the fact that the ultra-orthodix (and nationalistic) Shas party will likely be a key member of the new ruling coaliton doesn’t bode well any such activity in the future.
In the meantime, Palestinian villagers will pay the ‘price’ for any settlements that come down. Oh and before you C.A.M.E.R.A. folks come and flame me, Olmert concurs:
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned yesterday that an “evil wind of extremism” is blowing among certain parts of the Israeli public – without naming any group – and that this is threatening democracy.
Speaking to his Cabinet, he complained that extremists were undermining “the ability of those in charge in Israel to make decisions”.
Olmert was apparently taking a swipe at hardline settlers who’ve said they’ll try to torpedo any attempt to remove dozens of sanctioned settlements as part of a future peace deal with the Palestinians.
Just reflect on the price America is paying in world opinion and opinion on the Arab Street for its unblinking support of Israeli West Bank policy.
*Update* Wow what happened to the CAMERA trolls? Once upon a time I could mutter something bad about the cisJordan and they’d be flaming all over the comments. *sigh*
Stumble it!
Tags: extremist settlers, israel, palestine, price tag