The bluff goes on and on

[bemildred]

One of several critical pieces now up on Haaretz. Coming from
Mr. Schiff this is fairly interesting. The piece by Mr. Harel (Cracks in
the Iron fist) has some interesting bits too.

...

However, something else is happening. The
occupation is becoming ever deeper and more
entrenched. This is obvious in the way that
facts are being created in the territories. In
cabinet meetings, or in communiques for the
public, these developments go by other names.
For example, "additional investments" to build
hundreds of new homes in the territories, or
"planning of the eastern fence," which is
actually designed to confine all the
Palestinians inside a fenced-off ghetto.

That was not the intention when the idea of
building a fence was first broached; the idea
was to build a fence as protection against
terrorism and to prevent the large-scale,
illegal entry of Palestinians into Israel. The
abduction of the fence by the settlers, with
the government's help, and its transformation
from a defensive into a political barrier, is
liable to deepen the occupation further.

On top of this, there is the growing bluff of
the settler outposts. Their names are changed,
outposts are evacuated here and there, and
others are established nearby. The army has
long understood the lying portrayal of the
outposts, in which the army has the role of
extras. Based on past experience, the army has
reached the conclusion that for every outpost
that is evacuated, another one will be
established 100 meters away and the entire
legal process will start over. If this is the
government's policy, why make an effort?

The political vacuity has spread throughout the
government. The line of the National Religious
Party and of the National Union is in the
forefront. The cooperation between Prime
Minister Sharon and Ze'ev (Zambish) Hever, a
central settler activist, sets the tone. At the
same time, Sharon finds it difficult to make
other decisions, such as the size of the
defense budget. The Shinui party utters the odd
peep about the situation in the territories,
but it has become a partner in deepening the
occupation.

Haaretz

[Resistance]

1. Gee, really?

The occupation is becoming ever deeper and more entrenched. Ya think? What is this a surprise?

Maybe the "leftist retards" have been correct all along in saying that Israel's goal is to steal the rest of the O.T. - the only question being what path is the best one in realizing that grand vision.

[bemildred]

2. Please don't confuse Mr. Sharon and his minions policies with "Israel".

What I thought was interesting was that the previous monolithic support
for this stupidity seems to be cracking. As a card carrying "leftist retard"
I find that hopeful.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bemildred]

7. Don't read that sort of crap, then.

You'll feel better and nothing else will change.

[Darranar]

9. Uh... right...

PM me the links.

And before you insult my religion, please keep in mind that the Talmud was a rabbinical forum and not simply a coebook for jewish law. Many opinions and perspectives are included in it.

[Zhade]

4. I'm pretty sure the context meant was "government of Israel".

I'm always happy to point out that a good number of Israelis and Jews worldwide, including in Israel itself, despise the tactics of Sharon's government.

Good point on the waning support. It does say a lot when true heroes - like the pilots and soldiers who refuse to attack Palestinian civilians - start making their voices heard even louder.

[bemildred]

5. That works for me too.

[tinnypriv]

6. Interesting irrelevant tidbit

Ze'ev Schiff was actually one of the very first people to learn of the Sabra Shatila massacres. He's been around forever. Smart guy (seems to have gone a little reactionary in recent months, maybe that is just me though). :)

[bemildred]

8. Sometimes I like him, and sometimes not.

But he usually has something to say.