Israel's withdrawal
\nclever move<\/p>\n
Your story in Sept. 15 edition of The Jakarta Post headlined
\nAbbas vows to end chaos in Gaza highlights the whole point about
\nthe value of Israel's voluntary tactical withdrawal from Gaza and
\nhow it opens the field to Ariel Sharon's policies.<\/p>\n
That the withdrawal was a very clever political and risky move
\nto himself by Sharon is clear. But the Palestinians have fallen
\ninto the trap he has opened for them. Everyone who pays attention
\nin the world knows that this was Sharon's call, not dictated by
\nthe Palestinian lunatic fringe with guns but a cold calculating
\nstrategic move that has won Sharon worldwide recognition of his
\ncourage and wisdom including from Muslim leaders such as
\nPresident Musharraf of Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Everyone, that is, except the Palestinians themselves.
\nSome Israelis have suffered grievously from their eviction from
\nGaza, but they should not have been there in the first place.
\nMeanwhile, the Palestinians are turning their guns on each other,
\nthus giving the Israelis every reason to point out the
\nimpossibility of reaching any kind of sane settlement with them
\n-- and reinforcing their determination to hold onto what they
\nhave on the West Bank until negotiation can lead to a stable
\nsolution. Fat chance.<\/p>\n
The Palestinians seem to forget they are dealing with people
\nwho are ex-terrorists themselves and know the ropes. The Jews and
\ntheir Irgun Zwai Leumi were much smarter, facing the British
\narmy. They knew when to stop and when to negotiate to get what
\nthey wanted after they had made their point.<\/p>\n
It seems that there is no hope of such an exhibition of basic
\ncommon sense from the Palestinian Arabs. And I don't mean only in
\nGaza.<\/p>\n
CHRISTOPHER R MCRAE
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/israels-withdrawal-1447893297",
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