Archive for the ‘settlements’ Category
Roadmap Phase II revisited
The issue of borders, on Bitter Lemons.
Benjamin Pogrund on Israeli settlers in the West Bank
Benjamin Pogrund understands that an alternative to a two state solution is not a single state solution, but rather ongoing conflict and oppression. On Comment Is Free he hopes that Obama will keep Israel to its promise of removing the settlements.
He has written an informative, well-linked overview of the Israeli governments’ failures and cop-outs to date.
From the middle:
“The fact is that the settlers do pretty much as they want. Many are driven by religious messianic belief that God gave Judea and Samaria to Jews and it is their right and duty to keep it so forevermore. Although the settlers are a tiny minority of the Israeli population they have become the tail that wags the dog. Successive governments have backed away from reining them in out of fear of violent resistance.
The settlers and their supporters – who include those who believe in possession of the West Bank for security purposes – permeate the government. That has enabled the illegal siphoning off of millions upon millions of shekels from departmental budgets to provide houses, build roads and lay on electricity and water to settlements and outposts – and to guarantee permanent protection by the army.”
Via Engage.
Peace Now’s Settlements section, including How To Freeze Settlements: a Layman’s Guide.
