West Bank | Justinology

Olmert Tries to Leave a Legacy

September 8, 2008 by Justin View Comments

Israel Considers Paying Settlers to Leave West Bank
By Robert Berger

In a sign of progress in Middle East peace talks, Israel is considering a plan to lure Jewish settlers away from the occupied West Bank.

Article Continues… (VOA)

Just like Bush wants to be the President that enacted the “Two-State Solution,” Ehud Olmert would like to be the Prime Minister responsible for the very same thing. Don’t be surprised to see him pushing harder than ever to make this happen before both guys leave office.

Filed Under: Ehud Olmert, Two-State Solution, West Bank

You're putting our legacy in jeopardy!

March 12, 2008 by Justin View Comments

US security envoy said to be frustrated with Israeli disruption of PA’s efforts

Bethlehem — Ma’an Exclusive — The US security envoy to the Palestinian territories, General Keith Dayton, is reportedly frustrated with what he sees as a deliberate Israeli attempt to disrupt and thwart the efforts of the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank.

Article Continues… (Ma’an News Agency)

The stupid Road Map puts Israel in a position to barely defend itself, if at all, and the Palestinian Authority is run by people who refuse to recognize Israel. So, exactly where is the Israeli motivation to cooperate?

Filed Under: U.S. - Israel Relations, West Bank

Hamas leader sees W.Bank takeover if Israel leaves

November 12, 2007 by Justin View Comments

GAZA, Nov 9 (Reuters) – Hamas Islamists, who seized control of the Gaza Strip in June, would take over the West Bank if Israel pulled out of the territory, a senior Hamas leader said on Friday.

The comments by Mahmoud al-Zahar contrasted with remarks by Ismail Haniyeh, who serves as prime minister of a Hamas-led government dismissed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Haniyeh said earlier this week that Hamas had no intention of repeating its Gaza takeover in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Abbas’s secular Fatah faction remains dominant.

Full Article (al-Reuters)

I covered this the other day, and don’t usually use Reuters as a source, but I want to contrast this story with something else:

Our Muslim friends

Hamas is Israel’s best hope. The Islamic group stands as the bastion protecting Jews from the perils of peace process. Where the treacherous Israeli government is cowed down by the American-Saudi alliance, Hamas stands tall incidentally protecting Israelis from national suicide. Israeli politicians, Jewish barons of the Diaspora, and their foreign friends are ready to squeeze Israel into an 8-mile-wide strip. Hamas rejects that suicide on the part of Jews. It doesn’t matter that saving the Jews is only a collateral product of the Hamas’ Islamic policies. The current Jewish interests are best served by Hamas policies.

Full Article (SamsonBlinded.com)

At first, I thought this second article was ridiculous. However, I agree that seeking peace, in particular a two-state solution, will be the death of the Jewish state.

So, is it possible that Israel’s best choice is to ditch peace with Fatah in favor of war with Hamas?

Filed Under: Fatah, Hamas, Two-State Solution, West Bank

Israel frees jailed Palestinians to boost Abbas

October 1, 2007 by Justin View Comments

BEITUNYA, West Bank (Reuters) – Israel freed dozens of jailed Palestinians on Monday to try to bolster support for President Mahmoud Abbas against his Islamist rival Hamas ahead of a U.S.-sponsored conference on Palestinian statehood.

After several hours’ delay, 57 prisoners were taken by bus from the desert stockade of Kitsyot to Beitunya, a military checkpoint on the West Bank boundary, where they were greeted by relatives and supporters.

Full Article (Washington Post)

I doubt I’ll ever understand why the Israeli government thinks releasing terrorists is a good idea.

Filed Under: Fatah, West Bank

West Bank, Gaza on lockdown for holiday

September 13, 2007 by Justin View Comments

In accordance with a decision by the minister of defense and in light of security assessments, a general lockdown will be imposed on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, starting Wednesday at midnight, the IDF said Tuesday night.

The lockdown will be lifted after security assessments. For the duration of the lockdown, the passage of those in need of humanitarian aid as well as doctors, medical personnel, NGO members, lawyers, teachers, religious workers and additional professional groups will be authorized by the District Coordination and Liaison offices.

Full Article (jerusalem Post)

While this makes sense, I suspect it will be added to the “evidence” of Israel’s “Apartheid” nature.

Filed Under: Gaza, West Bank

Abdullah hopeful for int'l ME peace conference

September 1, 2007 by Justin View Comments

Jordan’s King Abdullah II urged Palestinians on Friday to overcome internal divisions to realize their goal of an independent state.

The king’s call comes as the Fatah and Hamas movements remain deeply divided, both physically in their respective strongholds of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and ideologically in their approach toward Israel.

“We call upon all our Palestinian brothers to let sound judgment and reason prevail,” Abdullah said in an interview with Jordanian television. “The separation of Gaza from the West Bank is unacceptable at both the Palestinian and Arab levels.”

Full Article (Jerusalem Post)

You know, if the Palestinians were to be given an independent nation right now consisting of just the West Bank and Gaza (I realize this is fiction, as Olmert is determined to give away soooooo much more), I suspect they’d eventually become to completely separate entities. Pakistan had a similar situation for years, until the eastern part became Bangladesh. A nation divided by enemy land will never be united on anything.

The above is just observation, as I don’t think a two-state solution is the right path to follow.

Filed Under: Fatah, Gaza, Hamas, West Bank

Israel preparing plan to ease West Bank travel restrictions

July 30, 2007 by Justin View Comments

Israel is preparing to remove some of the roadblocks and checkpoints that restrict Palestinian travel in the West Bank as a gesture to Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, officials said on Monday.

Security sources said a list of barriers and restrictions was being compiled to be presented to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak for final approval.

“The urgency is clear to everybody. These measures should be taken soon,” a senior source said on condition of anonymity.

After removing some of the travel restrictions, Israel would then consider transferring responsibility for some West Bank enclaves to Abbas and his security forces, officials said.

Full Article (Haaretz)

You know, I always at least try to have a positive outlook in my dealings with people, but I just can’t help thinking that trusting Abu Mazen may turn out to be the biggest mistake Israel has ever made!