'Violence on the part of security forces is equally indefensible.' Amona
Photo: Reuters
Settlers go too far
Fight in Amona over building demolition loses settlers sympathy of majority
I lost my last bit of sympathy for the settler movement Wednesday after seeing video and reading about the disgraceful actions by hundreds of people refusing to permit the destruction of nine “permanent” structures in the illegal outpost of Amona, about a half hour from Jerusalem.
I suspect that their violent and indefensible actions lost them their last reserves of goodwill from mainstream Israelis, as well.
West Bank Clashes
Andrew Friedman
To call yesterday's violence in Amona "regrettable" would be the understatement of all time. The sight of Jewish mounted police attacking Jewish teenagers, and the hail of rocks, eggs, paint and whatever else the kids could find that came in response might be the lowest point, not just in Israeli history, but in Jewish history
Before I go further, let me say that overreaction and violence on the part of security forces is equally indefensible. If the police came prepared to crack a few skulls regardless of what they found themselves facing, then they must be called for explanations, as well.
That said, video footage of the day's events shows dozens of youth and others hurling rocks, bricks and metal beams at police and security forces as those agencies tried to carry out the demolition of the buildings, which had clearly been designated as illegal.
What was the reason for this? The settlement movement has been in disarray and retreat since the evacuation of Gaza last summer. While it may seem extreme to many, the Yesha Council, the organization of settler communities, was, in fact, under heat from its own extremist elements for caving in on Gaza.
’Issue took second place to symbolism’
That evacuation, as you may recall, thankfully occurred far more quickly, and with far less violence than had been predicted by both sides. The evacuation's gut-wrenching scenes won sympathetic responses from many in Israel, even those who didn't support their activities in Gaza.
This time, however, the so-called “hilltop youth” were spoiling for a fight – and they got it.
As usual, the details of the issue itself took second place to the symbolism. The demolition itself – looked at from afar – was a minor thing: Nine illegal “permanent” structures in Amona, all of which is outside even the controversial Jewish communities north of Jerusalem that are quite close to Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority's administrative and cultural center.
It was one of those “give an inch and they'll take a mile” arguments: If Amona's permanent structures go, the “caravanim” (Israeli slang for mobile homes) would be next, and then, maybe even Ofra and Beit El, settler communities of 30-years' standing.
That's why the extreme elements of the settler movement called for an all-out “defense” of the Amona buildings (they were empty, by the way, as a result of legal wrangling).
The settlement movement's extreme elements are unwilling to look reality in the face: That the rest of the country – mainstream Israel as I like to call it – and the government have moved on since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's paradigm-shattering unilateral evacuation of Gaza last year.
The country has set its direction, and the upcoming elections in March will not change it: More unilateral departures from settlements outside the mainstream consensus of acceptable residential blocs outside the Green Line, continued construction of the security fence and no real talks with the Palestinians until they sort out their own troubles.
Only a handful of the Jewish community worldwide or even in Israel supports the “don't give an inch” crowd, especially in the wake of Sharon's actions.
For me, I can easily support all legal efforts to retain land: Court filings, rallies, lobbying pressure. Those steps are all fair game in a democracy. Non-violent civil disobedience also has a role in affecting public opinion, and so can be called a legitimate tactic.
But violence, a lack of reason and an unwillingness to face reality? Sorry, nope.
President Moshe Katsav, as usual, caught the right tone in his comments – he called settler leaders to task, but also said the police must answer questions of why they seemed to use their batons so freely on teenagers. It's about as far as anyone will go toward the settlers. It's not much, is it?
Alan D. Abbey is Founding Editor of Ynetnews. His website is www.abbeycontent.com, and his email address is alan@abbeycontent.com
