Netanyahu draws battle lines with Sharon over Gaza

Reuters by way of The Indian Express ^ | 11AUG05 | JEFFREY HELLER

[familyop]

JERUSALEM, AUGUST 10: Talk about nightmare scenarios for Israel.

Benjamin Netanyahu did just that in a powerful speech to Parliament on Wednesday in which he drew his battle lines with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, three days after he quit as Finance Minister over next week’s Gaza withdrawal.

Palestinian rockets threatening Israeli cities, Islamic fighters streaming into Gaza and planes slamming into Tel Aviv skyscrapers figured high on Netanyahu’s roster of post-pullout risks as he geared up for an expected leadership challenge. ‘‘Whoever truly understands my message—that’s excellent,’’ Netanyahu, addressing the Knesset to explain his reasons for resigning, told a largely empty chamber.

His speech coincided with opinion polls that found Netanyahu (55) would best Sharon (77) in a contest to head the right-wing Likud party if a vote was held now, although surveys show a majority of Israelis back the pullout.

‘‘The ones who really understand what I am saying are the terrorists, and they are cheering because we are letting them set up an independent terrorist base (in Gaza),’’ he said.

Hitting back, Sharon accused Netanyahu, who originally supported the plan to evacuate all 21 Gaza settlements and four of 120 in the West Bank, of ducking responsibility for ‘‘what might be the most complex step’’ Israel has ever taken. Describing the resignation as ‘‘an act of fleeing’’, Sharon, a former general, told Channel One television, ‘‘I certainly wouldn’t give it a special military decoration.’’

Netanyahu cited Gaza airspace, which Israel intends to continue to control under interim peace deals, as another crucial security issue. ‘‘The Palestinians are saying: ‘If you control the airspace, the (Israeli) occupation has not ended’,’’ he said. The Palestinian Authority is seeking to rebuild and reopen Gaza International Airport after the Israeli evacuation of all 21 Jewish settlements. —Reuters

[familyop]

The barrage against Israel continues both by way of attacks from the terrorists there and by international rhetoric.

[familyop]

Ping.

[conservativecorner]

This is a disaster unfolding before our very eyes. When will we learn that a mad man cannot be reasoned with or negotiated out of his cult of death and destruction of western civilization?

[45Auto]

The disaster that is waiting in the wings for the Israelis is staggering in scope. No one with half a brain thinks that a New Palestine will be anything but a base of action for Hamas; indeed, Hamas and their allied terrorist networks are slathering at the possibilities down the road. I cannot understand the incredible wishful thinking that has come out of the last five US administrations that supposes that a 'free Palestine' will be anything but a new safe harbor for Islamonazis. And I suppose that the Bush Administration will expect the US taxpayer to now shower untold billions of tax dollars (following on the heels of the billions already wasted on these rats) on the creation of Palestine - all to no good end. Not to single out the Pres, since I like him greatly for the most part, but "the Palestinian Problem" is not going to go away - its only going to get worse.

[johnb838]

Wishful thinking, appeasement, and heads in the sand. This is trouble brewing. Trouble, trouble, boil and bubble. I fear in my gut the erzatz war phase may be coming to an end and the white hot scourge of all out shooting war may be just around the corner. I think Israel may be the powderkeg because I think somebody may take a shot at them, probably for displaying such yellow-bellied weakness in backing out, US pressure or no. I could be wrong. Maybe Condi and the rest know something I don't know. Hmmm...

[45Auto]

Here's a site with a nice summary of the history of the Israel-Palestine issue:

Israel-Palestine History

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

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[familyop]

"Here's a site with a nice summary of the history of the Israel-Palestine issue:

Israel-Palestine History"

Thank you very much!