It’s encouraging to see Pres. Obama and Sec. of State Clinton telling the Israelis to stop building illegal settlements in the West Bank. And no exceptions — no “natural growth,” no outposts, no nothing. Stop means stop, period. As Clinton put it: With respect to settlements, the president was very clear when Prime Minister Netanyahu … Continue reading Stop the settlements? Fat chance
The Sydney Morning Herald reports today that Israelis are preparing to establish yet another settlement in the West Bank. Plans call for the construction of some 2500 new homes. Why the Israelis continue to build settlements in the West Bank, while at the same time complaining about attacks from angry Palestinians, is a mystery. The … Continue reading Israelis plan yet another West Bank settlement
Violence in the Middle East is centuries old. So too are its rationales, excuses, and provocations. Now comes Israel’s overreaction and indiscriminate bombing of Lebanon. Innocents are dying, property is being destroyed. Why? It’s not going to eliminate Hezbollah; Hezbollah is an idea, a mind-set. Stamp it out in southern Lebanon and it will fade … Continue reading Middle East mess … enough!
The Israeli settlers in Gaza are leaving today, under orders from the Israeli government, and those who don’t leave voluntarily will be forcibly removed. Temporary military occupation for security reasons is one thing; permanent civilian settlement (read “land grab”) is quite another. However late the mandate comes, it is the right thing to do. Gaza … Continue reading Gaza: Overdue exodus
