The Point of No Return?
YNetNews
It’s too late
The evacuation of 8,000 Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip and their absorption in Israel cost taxpayers NIS 10 billion. Those interested in turning back time and evacuating Israelis from the areas beyond the 1967 borders would have to invest NIS 600 billion for that end. An unreal figure.
Without the Palestinians grasping the process, and without most of Israeli citizens giving it some thought, the areas beyond the 1967 borders have become the main absorption area for new Israeli citizens: New immigrants from the former Soviet Union, young Jerusalemites, haredim facing economic distress, etc. The “territories” served as Israel’s territorial backbone, and played this role with great success.
Israel’s Leftist camp believes that it has the upper hand, referring as ultimate proof to Likud Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau’s declaration in favor of a Palestinian state, albeit with some conditions. Yet the Left is wrong: While it was engaged in the futile “diplomatic process,” the active Rightist camp, with the backing and assistance of all of Israel’s governments with the exception of one, engaged in developing Jewish settlements in the territories.
Half a million Jews beyond the Green Line constitute the point of no return. The talk about a “construction freeze” or “construction suspicion” at certain settlements are a joke and an insurance policy for the leaders – in Israel, in Palestine, and in the world – who know deep in their hearts that the decision had been made.
What we have here is two peoples that cannot be divided: A mixture of Jews and Palestinians that cannot be separated. It’s too late.
H/T Mondoweiss
posted by Gert @ 3:38 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
That was a really interesting.
It makes the idea of a Jewish state less plausible, as Arab population grows. The borders are blurred.
The situation might not be as dire as it seems. Most of the settlers are concentrated near the green line. If there's a land swap where Israel annexes the settlement blocs and gives the Palestinians territory from within the green line (an idea I've opposed and am still not crazy about, but it might be the only solution left) then a lot less people would have to be evacuated.
Ren:
the moment for a two state solution has passed, that's what the author is arguing. It's hard to argue with, IMHO.
Emm:
That's essentially Lieberman's plan. Problem is that it requires almost starting over when it comes to the land swaps. Which plots for which settlement blocs?
In the mean time [during those negotiations] Israel would keep on expanding its settlements and start new ones. This way we can keep going forever of course...
Lieberman's plan is to swap Jewish-populated areas in the West Bank with Arab-populated areas within the green line. That's not what I meant, or what most Israelis mean when they talk about land swaps. The land from inside the green line that would be given to the Palestinians should be unpopulated. There's plenty of territory like that adjacent to the green line, especially in the Negev. This isn't a new idea.
As for continuing settlement activity while negotiations are still ongoing - I think it's a horrible policy that is against Israel's best interests (and that's an understatement). Unfortunately, the government disagrees with me.
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