Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Love him or hate him, Avigdor Lieberman's plan makes sense: Lieberman: Complete Disengagement, Declare Gaza Enemy State
Lieberman said his plan includes a complete closure of all crossings between Gaza and Israel through which PA Arab workers currently cross into Israel and through which aid passes to Gaza. His plan also calls for bombing Gaza neighborhood in response to rocket-fire, ending visitation rights for PA terrorists until kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is released, severing Gaza from Judea and Samaria and stopping diplomatic contacts with any and all PA officials, including Fatah chief Mahmoud Abbas.
NATO troops would be called upon to provide security and the European Union would be invited to provide infrastructure and jobs for PA Arabs.
Lieberman said the plan would come into effect in 2008 and be modeled after how Israel related to the Sinai after withdrawal. "Just as Israel did not continue to provide anything to Sinai after it withdrew, there is no reason why it should act any differently toward Gaza, especially in the current situation," he said. The Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel is Our Home) chairman said he would present his plan to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the rest of the government Thursday...
See also: The real disengagement
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, p.73
I've always thought that the disengagement plan from Gaza was the best way to protect Israel's interests. However, I have been less than impressed with the continuing suppport and payment of funds by Israel to Gaza.
I am a long way away from the place but it has always seemed to me that the withdrawal had the advantage of Israel being able to disassociate itself from the terrorist enclave that is Gaza. A price was paid - forcible eviction of Jews from their homes and the propaganda value to the enemy of Israel retreating to name but two - but I thought Israel would then be free to deal with the enemy as the enemy.
Is Olmert mad? Why is Gaza's isolation not complete? Why is there no serious military response when Israel is attacked? I live in Australia and if New Zealand started firing rockets into Oz we'd be kicking Kiwi arse as quick as they could say "where's my sheep". And we kind of like Kiwis.
I often read your blog but rarely comment. I find it one of the best blogs at sorting out the interesting stuff to read. Although the ISB details are a bit heavy going.
WOW! Avigdor Lieberman sounds like an Israeli Rudy Guliani. Lots of good, get tough ideas.
Israelis weak, indecisive, incompetent government only encourages its enemies.
Meyer, thanks. I have to do the ISB stuff -- important, local...I know it's a bit heavy sometimes, though.
It's revealing of prevailing mindsets that Lieberman's ideas for Gaza are considered terribly controversial, though I suppose that's an assumption, but it seems to be the case.
Palestinians moved into Gaza, failed to make an effort to take over and be responsible for infrastructure; they failed to attend to the extensive greenhouses, to cite a well known example of economic irresponsibility; they have used Gaza not in the mode of 242's "land for peace" formula but, to the contrary, have used it as a launching base for rockets and mortars, for other terrorist initiatives such as the suicide/homicide attack in Eilat (who originated from Gaza), etc.
Hence Lieberman's plan is little more than a formal, institutional recognition of the reality on the ground.
I like it. Much smarter that Tom Friedman's latest "Israel must talk to Hamas and cannot shirk responsibility for the Palestinians" column.
I also would like to thank you Solomon for doing an outstanding job, you'll definately get my vote in the next Israel/Jewish blog awards!