Spring Break
It would be beneficial for Israel to re-annex the Gaza Strip
Ben Tarr
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Commentary
In 2004, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza Strip and aided in relocating all Jewish settlers in the region to other parts of the state with a larger Jewish prescence. Yet, since 2004, the return for Israeli good will has been in the form of Qassam rockets and terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians in the neighboring towns of Sderot and Ashkelon. Consequently, in order to protect the safety of its citizens, Israel must regain control of the Gaza Strip and annihilate Hamas altogether.
Since Hamas secured its victory in the 2006 Palestinian elections, it has been actively training women to become martyrs and suicide bombers. Hamas attacks have been largely indiscriminate and have been orchestrated to create an environment of fear amongst Israelis; this is contrasted with Israel's targeted assassinations in areas where known Hamas members operate. Without a doubt, Israeli raids have resulted in deaths of many innocent civilians. Yet, the intent behind these operations is to eliminate forces of evil in their society.
As of Jan. 2008, more than 8,000 rockets have been fired at Sderot. A study by NATAL, Israel's Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War, concluded that between 70 and 94 percent of Sderot children showed symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Keep in mind that these are innocent children who, unlike many Palestinian children, are not trained in any sort of violence or suicide bombing and can do little more than merely throw rocks across the street.
Many Palestinians cite the aggression against Israel as being legitimate because of Israel's occupation of Palestinian land. Yet, if Palestinians want Israel to transfer full authority to them in the Gaza Strip, they must prove to Israel that the military presence is no longer needed. The Palestinians must elect a peace-seeking government and curtail reckless violence directed against innocent civilians if they wish to gain Israel's trust and autonomy from Israeli control.
Since Hamas secured its victory in the 2006 Palestinian elections, it has been actively training women to become martyrs and suicide bombers. Hamas attacks have been largely indiscriminate and have been orchestrated to create an environment of fear amongst Israelis; this is contrasted with Israel's targeted assassinations in areas where known Hamas members operate. Without a doubt, Israeli raids have resulted in deaths of many innocent civilians. Yet, the intent behind these operations is to eliminate forces of evil in their society.
As of Jan. 2008, more than 8,000 rockets have been fired at Sderot. A study by NATAL, Israel's Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War, concluded that between 70 and 94 percent of Sderot children showed symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Keep in mind that these are innocent children who, unlike many Palestinian children, are not trained in any sort of violence or suicide bombing and can do little more than merely throw rocks across the street.
Many Palestinians cite the aggression against Israel as being legitimate because of Israel's occupation of Palestinian land. Yet, if Palestinians want Israel to transfer full authority to them in the Gaza Strip, they must prove to Israel that the military presence is no longer needed. The Palestinians must elect a peace-seeking government and curtail reckless violence directed against innocent civilians if they wish to gain Israel's trust and autonomy from Israeli control.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Paul Katz
posted 10/02/08 @ 12:39 PM EST
How do the idiot who authored this crap get into college?
R
posted 10/02/08 @ 3:54 PM EST
Well said (mostly).
Certainly Israel is not innocent in this battle.
Atrocities have been committed on both sides.
But in order for Israel to feel safe in its own territory, it may need to continue to control that area. (Continued…)
Eleanor
posted 10/02/08 @ 7:57 PM EST
Excellent article, although its true Israel is not completely innocent, no country should have to tolerate constant terrorism.
Mohammed Riffi
posted 10/08/08 @ 2:37 PM EST
The state of terror, Israel, will never be able to reannex the Gaza Strip, because the Israeli soldiers who fled the Gaza Strip under the Qassam hits will flee again and again as the Qassam is now stronger and more professional in fighting agains occupation. (Continued…)
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