Sunday, March 27, 2005

Disengagement No or Yes...

Disengagement from settlements is a complex problem complicated by outside influences. Hence it is difficult to form an opinion. Disengagement is seen by many as a form of hope that PEACE will reign soon in the region. Israel would have been able to negotiate a lasting peace with its neighbors.

Hope is needed in Israel. Because, the current leadership of Sharon has been vilified around the world and portrayed as an aggressor guilty of causing the current Intifada. Since Arafat died, there is a feeling of expectation and optimism PEACE might be possible with the new leadership of Abbas. Hence the conundrum and dilemma.

Should Israel disengage from the settlements? The answer can be a simple categorical: “NO”. Do not leave the settlements, stay strong be firm. The problem becomes an Israeli problem, they have to find a new home, move and rebuilt their lives as farmers and growers. It also highlights a new problem, that is the current PLO does not want to have a Jewish presence in its territories however, they are happy to have a “Palestinian” presence in Israel. The question becomes: “WHY?”

The answer comes from history, the pan-Arabic perception of Israel. Its Arab neighbors have systematically refused to recognize the legitimacy of Israel as a sovereign country. Israel in the pan-Arab world is often referred to as “the Zionist State” or “Palestine” rarely as Israel and only when addressing Western journalists. Between 700 000 and 900 000 Jews living in the Arab world were sent into exile between 1947 and 1967. The Arab world purged itself of its Jewish community which they referred to as Zionists. Once again Jews are being displaced out of Arab lands because they are settles of the Zionist State and ultimately Zionists.

The Zionist State implies it is a political move that came out of Europe, and not to Mount Zion. It also negates the fact that it is a Jewish State that rules over some Muslims who remained in Israel after 1948. The reference to “Palestine” is the old appellation of the area which was viewed as Jewish up until the 19th century, it is also a reference to the Roman invasion and destruction of the Second Temple and the exile of Jews. Whereas, Palestine is an epitaph Israel, is a resurrection a rebirth a coming home after a 2000 year.

Pressure has been put on Israel since 1948. Israelis have been scrutinized by the world media. Criticism often unfair can be understood as a new form of anti-Semitism. Maybe, we should put pressure on the pan-Arab world to force them to accept Israel as legitimate country and member of the UN.

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