U.S. Is Disappointed Israel Hasn't Removed Outposts

[JohnLocke]

U.S. Is Disappointed Israel Hasn't Removed Outposts
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Bloomberg
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The U.S. is disappointed at the slow pace of Israel's removal of illegal outposts in the West Bank, Secretary of State Colin Powell said.
"We have some disappointment in the rate at which outposts have been removed," Powell said yesterday after meeting Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom in Washington. "The minister gave me assurances they are hard at work on that."
Powell said he had an "open and candid discussion" with Shalom on the issue, according to a State Department transcript. The Israeli minister said there are 28 outposts that still have to be dismantled.
(...)
"We removed tens of outposts already," Shalom said after his meeting with Powell. "There are 28 left. We gave the list to the American administration and we are working together in order to implement our commitments in the near future."
(...)
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Read the rest here.

[tinnypriv]

1. Or, to put it the way it is in Israel

"Sharon Planning Photogenic Removal of Outposts to Please Americans" (Ma'ariv).

That's right before Sharon headed to Washington. Once in Washinton, Bush "surrended" to Sharon's "Threats" (Ma'ariv again).

Yeah, sure - the US cares about outpost removal. :eyes:

[Gimel]

2. Not important

Movement on the issue is important. Change is underway to implement the removal with the least amount of friction. It's a bit like pulling a rabbit out of a hat, but it will be done.

[The Magistrate]

3. It Seems To Me, Ma'am, Some Friction Is Necessary

If the extremists of the settler lobby are coddled by kid-glove treatment, and every action in this matter is moderated by a resolve to mollify and give no offense to them, no good will ever be accomplished, and neither will their political influence be diminished, nor their own activities be reined in. They must, instead, be made to feel the full weight of government power they are seeking to set at naught for their selfish beliefs, and the full weight of social opprobrium from the great mass of Israeli people who these extremists not only endanger by their actions, but in their hearts despise as insufficiently zealous. In short, Ma'am, the Israeli government ought to proceed against illegal settlements in precisely the same manner it proceeds against illegal construction by Arab Palestinians, or in cases where Arab Palestinian properties are seized for security purposes. Nothing else will serve to signify serious purpose in this matter by the Israeli government. Heads are going to have to be cracked, and some people are going to have to be shot, if this thing is ever to be resolved favorably for the nation.

[Gimel]

4. Few will resist

The YESHA feels betrayed by Sharon. He has turned against the settlements and their dream. However, they are not violent, and in the end they will leave on their own. Sharon has to convince them and their leaders, then the leaders have to convince the individual settles. They won't shoot anyone, or crack heads. They will make arrests.

[tinnypriv]

5. "turned against the settlements and their dream"

By advocating retaining 99.6% of the WB settlements?

[Gimel]

7. Head of YESHA

This is exactly what he said. His very words.

[tinnypriv]

8. Well

You can't legislate for stupidity.

[The Magistrate]

6. Some Of These People, Ma'am

Strike me as having a great potential for violence, and need to be dealt with accordingly. It is true that the great majority of inhabitants of the settlements are simply there for the subsidies, and can be easily persuaded to depart, but there is an ideological core that sees this as a sacred work, and cannot be reasoned with or persuaded. These will have to be broken by government power.