Opinion
Great year for settlers
Hagai Segal
Published: 09.09.12, 19:58
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39 Talkbacks for this article
1. Left vs. Right
PK ,   North, Israel   (09.09.12)
To be labelled 'Left' or 'Right' in Israel means that one is either pro- or anti-settlements. What a sad state of affairs that is, and what a twisted interpretation of the definitions. Social and economic views are hardly given consideration, and that is why this country is being slowly strangled from the inside out. Elections are won and lost solely on security issues, the status of settlements, and the 'Palestinian/Arab Problem.' While unquestionably important, I despair that these issues constantly bulldoze over everything else, while the words 'Leftist' and 'Rightist' are bandied around with great venom, like terms of abuse. While politically left-leaning, I frankly couldn't give two hoots about what goes on in the settlements. I live my live here, well within the recognised borders of the State of Israel, yet constantly feeling suffocated by a piece of land that doesn't concern me and issue which leaves little room for anything else. Am I a raving peace-now leftist? No, I'd just like the country to wake up and realise that there is far more worth consideration in this place than simply the same old story.
2. wow
dani   (09.09.12)
what are you going to do with Gaza when they want to join your wonderful "binational" state. do you not think about what happened to the serbs with kosovo? why do you want a binational state anyway? do you think a state with 60% jews and 40% palestinians can really stay a "Jewish" state? Do you not realize what happened to the maronites in lebanon???
3. Peace to Pals means some Jews live there under Muslim rule
Sam ,   Canada   (09.09.12)
Jews will continue to settle the West Bank. Israel won't annex it so as not to give Palestinians citizenship. The option for the Palestinians will remain acceptance of a Jewish majority Israel or the status quo. The extremists rule among the Palestinians so by default they get the status quo.
4. Yes Israel! 8 miles wide is suicide; Piece now- quit the EU
hippocrates ,   earth   (09.09.12)
servitude.
5. Eventually...
Thomas the Doubter ,   USA   (09.09.12)
Like every other issue this one will eventually solve itself, though only God knows when or how. Though I do doubt the solution will be as easy as the author portrays it. Things change and nasty surprises have a way of jumping up and biting you in the a**...
6. economic platform
israel israeli ,   tel aviv   (09.09.12)
In 1999 Barak was elected PM on an economic platform. As soon as he took power, it turned out that Barak lied. He ignored his promises to help the poor and frantically turned Lebanon over to Hezbolla, begged Assad to take Golan and Arafat to take Judea and Samaria. The only reason that Israel still exists is that Arafat, disgusted by Barak, started the Second Olso War the led to Barak being flushed out of office.
7. The Land Swap
Zivron   (09.10.12)
The land swap option as in Cyprus is still a possible as advocated by Lieberman. A mega city in the Green Triangle with dual Arab and Palestinian Arab Citizenship Demilitary and Security by Scandanavian Europe can work .
8. Ok so let's talk tachlis chaver!
Avramele   (09.10.12)
As a strong Zionist supporter of a two state solution I accept your challenge of developing a democratic and Jewish one state model. How will you handle Arab suffrage and representation in the Knesset? Issues of cultural autonomy? The elimination of travel, land purchase and work restrictions? Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and Syria who cannot be easily integrated into their host countries? And how will your new state ensure the rights of chilonim, women and the LGBT community? Will you allow intermarriage and civil marriage? Who will serve and not serve in your army? Will you protect muslim interests on the temple mount? 40% of any population will never agree to be half free. How will you engage Arab masses and elites? Perhaps you have won this battle - now prevent the political and culture wars to come in a truly smart, democratic and humane fashion.
9. Borders.
michael Pielet ,   israel   (09.10.12)
#1, recognized borders of israel? What recognized borders. recognized by whom? By you. The arab-muslim world does not recognize any borders of israel. I could give two hoots about you living in Northern, Israel. So what. If you are against the right of Jews to live in Judea and Samaria, you are not a zionist.
10. Settlers will not enjoy the fruits of their crimes
David ,   Haifa, Israel   (09.10.12)
They will not enjoy the fruits of their crimes as the fruits they stole do not belong to them. End the occupation now.
11. As long as the pals are pushed out . . . Amen !
Moshe ,   Usa   (09.10.12)
Otherwise, they are a very dangerous example to our children & they are a very big danger to Jewish lives & they tend to stealing without a conscience & they steal our daughters too.
12. Judea/Samaria are ours now and forever!
Chaim ,   Israel   (09.10.12)
Judea and Samaria are an inseparable part of Israel. They have been so for more than 3,500 years and will be so forever. The left has been infallibly wrong about every major issue since Israel was founded. It still is. About Judea and Samaria and everything else.
13. #7. Only land swap will be "Palestinians" to Jordan.
Chaim ,   Israel   (09.10.12)
14. answers for #8
Bluegrass Picker ,   Afula   (09.10.12)
how will we do all that? Simple!! We will delete ONE family from ONE palace in ONE city.... Amman. Which is legal, because our treaty was signed with a country.... not a family. Believe me, the next day, the Republic of Palestime will be declared. After that, the Palestine citizens who choose to get a residence permit in Israel can do so. Fill out the form. Just like Canadians in USA. Then they vote by absentee ballot to their national homeland. Just like Canadians in the USA.
15. a great year indeed
rm ,   Amsterdam NL   (09.10.12)
now all the Palestinians have to do is accept Jewish superiority in every sphere of live...accept the fact that they will continue to be ruled over ( but it must not be called occupation ofcourse) and will continuously lose more land.... Yep....I am sure that will work out fine. Just fine
16. While we were discussing dividing the land
Rick ,   Raanana   (09.10.12)
Something amazing occurred. We completed the recapture started in 1967. As the writer says, soon the left will go to other more worthy causes.
17. however you are i hurry
(09.10.12)
you want to jump from today to tomorrow but time is jumping from yesterday to tomorow . the next morning is near
18. Nunber 8 is correct
Liron ,   Zichron   (09.10.12)
A ridiculous article. Let's see how well this single state will run with the majority Muslim and Charedi. And let's not forget the refugees in our friendly neighbouring states. They are all coming home to your single state.
19. Migron Evacuation Not A Major Desaster?
Ariel Ben Yochanan ,   Kfar Tapuah, Efraim   (09.10.12)
B"H It is a pogrom, only the last proof that the State is not Jewish. Jews Need A Jewish State Now!
20. @david, stop suffering,leave !
trump   (09.10.12)
21. West Bank's exclusive right of citizenship is given to Jews
Ray ,   U.S.A.   (09.10.12)
Before 1948, the West Bank belonged to Jews, not Arabs, according to the Mandate of Palestine, which is a binding law, approved by the unanimous vote of all the 51 member countries of the League of Nations in July 24, 1922. Article 7 of the Mandate of Palestine gave the exclusive right of citizenship to Jews, not Arabs.
22. Let's hope for 'settler's' rights, too
Larry ,   Los Angeles   (09.10.12)
Let us face reality, the 'west' bank is our territory. We captured it from Jordan and they do not want it back; they dislike very much the unruly Palestinians. Therefore, it is Israel's to do with as they please as the report last month stated. Let us hope that Bibi, in his wisdom, will continue in power and not give anything to the Arabs; rather, let them show us their good will by giving us some concessions! We won the damned war, didn't we??
23. #18. Arab
Chaim ,   Israel   (09.10.12)
24. #18. "Arab demographic bomb" a proven hoax.
Chaim ,   Israel   (09.10.12)
#18. The "Arab demographic bomb", to which you allude, is a proven hoax. Highly credible American and Israeli studies have proven it. Jews are a growing majority in Israel, including Judea and Samaria. This land is ours now and forever. We're staying. Leftist scare tactics no longer work.
25. Arab demographics
Avramele   (09.10.12)
Why is it to the right that a Europe that is 7% Moslem is a major threat but an Israel with a 40% Arab population is no big deal?
26. To #10!
Jake Stone ,   USA   (09.10.12)
You're a poor example of a Jew--no...let me re-phrase that: you're not a Jew--period! The Settlers' have more right to be on the land than your sorry-butt does. You hide in your safe, little corner of Israel, while these true Jews try to establish their God-given land! You coward...you punk!!!
27. There will never be two states--period!
Taz Man ,   USA   (09.10.12)
God will not allow it. To those fools who think otherwise, you all are just kidding yourselves. You're pathetic! All the land belongs to Israel-get use to it!!!
28. Build Israel!!!
Jusanz77. ,   Vzla.   (09.10.12)
Build Israel. Build Israel. Gaza proves every day that the Palestinian state is a step to destroy Israel. It would be suicidal for Israel to allow such madness. The only solution, so the world complain, is a state from the Jordan to the Mediterranean.
29. To 24.. Demographics are not a joke.
Liron ,   Zichron   (09.10.12)
Think again. Charedi, Arab, return of Arab refugees, secular Israeli leaving. Welcome to Lebanon.
30. I have a solution
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (09.10.12)
Since the Arabs are Jordanian citizens and we have a peace treaty with Jordan where they renounced all claim to any of the land west of the Jordan River - they need to take their colonists back just like international law states
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