Comments on: Israel Resolutions, West Bank Barrier, and the Jerusalem Settlements http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/ Understanding politics from the left, right, and center Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:07:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Lese http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/comment-page-1/#comment-179 Lese Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:22:58 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/#comment-179 I'm curious what your take is on our current day events, and how you feel about settlements (namely, Ms Clinton's suggestion of far less or none of them) and what the Obama administration seeks to accomplish. I’m curious what your take is on our current day events, and how you feel about settlements (namely, Ms Clinton’s suggestion of far less or none of them) and what the Obama administration seeks to accomplish.

]]> By: Samuel J. Scott http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/comment-page-1/#comment-173 Samuel J. Scott Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:53:08 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/#comment-173 Well, the fact that fewer Palestinians will be attacked by settlers (because of the IDF presence) means that less conflict will occur in general. In a sense, that's encouraging. Well, the fact that fewer Palestinians will be attacked by settlers (because of the IDF presence) means that less conflict will occur in general. In a sense, that’s encouraging.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Jeff Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:45:17 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/#comment-172 No argument here that the result is positive, but I don't agree that it's "encouraging," as you stated. No argument here that the result is positive, but I don’t agree that it’s “encouraging,” as you stated.

]]> By: Samuel J. Scott http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/comment-page-1/#comment-171 Samuel J. Scott Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:54:06 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/#comment-171 Regardless of the IDF's intentions, the end result is still positive: The Palestinians are protected from extremist settlers. And the Middle East seems to be a place where ends are more important than means -- but that's a random philosophical note. Regardless of the IDF’s intentions, the end result is still positive: The Palestinians are protected from extremist settlers. And the Middle East seems to be a place where ends are more important than means — but that’s a random philosophical note.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/comment-page-1/#comment-170 Jeff Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:33:32 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/#comment-170 My point is that I think there are probably motives other than Palestinian welfare for the IDF's "protection" of Palestinians from nutty settlers -- such as the violence and bad press that could ensue from a settler attack on Palestinians. Remember Hebron? It is also in the IDF's interest to prevent vigilantism for the same reasons it is in any "police" force's interest. My point is that I think there are probably motives other than Palestinian welfare for the IDF’s “protection” of Palestinians from nutty settlers — such as the violence and bad press that could ensue from a settler attack on Palestinians. Remember Hebron? It is also in the IDF’s interest to prevent vigilantism for the same reasons it is in any “police” force’s interest.

]]> By: Samuel J. Scott http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/comment-page-1/#comment-169 Samuel J. Scott Tue, 10 Apr 2007 23:41:17 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/#comment-169 Jeff, I'm not sure what your point is: That the IDF protects Palestinians for reasons other than their own sakes? Or that the IDF doesn't really actively protect them in the first place? Jeff,

I’m not sure what your point is: That the IDF protects Palestinians for reasons other than their own sakes? Or that the IDF doesn’t really actively protect them in the first place?

]]> By: Jeff http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/comment-page-1/#comment-168 Jeff Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:10:09 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/#comment-168 I'm sure the IDF isn't doing it for the sake of the Palestinians so much... I’m sure the IDF isn’t doing it for the sake of the Palestinians so much…

]]> By: Samuel J. Scott http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/comment-page-1/#comment-167 Samuel J. Scott Sun, 08 Apr 2007 17:53:59 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/#comment-167 Lior, Your point about the zealotry of the settlers is very valid. I fear what would happen to Israeli leaders, like Yitzak Rabin, if the country were to leave the West Bank. My response, at this point, is to say that Israel would need to have electoral reform first (see my second post in the series) in order to minimize the electoral power of the extremists. Then the government would need to increase security measures to protect against reprisals. Over time, the threats from zealots would decrease. (I'll discuss ways to minimize extremism in Israel and among the Palestinians in a future post.) If I were the Israeli government, I would not mind leaving the settlers behind because the settlers themselves made the choice to live there. They made the choice, so they would have to endure the consquences if they choose to remain. I was not aware that the IDF currently protects Palestinians from extremist settlers. I find that to be very encouraging. I'll post more thoughts as I continue this series. Lior,

Your point about the zealotry of the settlers is very valid. I fear what would happen to Israeli leaders, like Yitzak Rabin, if the country were to leave the West Bank. My response, at this point, is to say that Israel would need to have electoral reform first (see my second post in the series) in order to minimize the electoral power of the extremists. Then the government would need to increase security measures to protect against reprisals. Over time, the threats from zealots would decrease. (I’ll discuss ways to minimize extremism in Israel and among the Palestinians in a future post.)

If I were the Israeli government, I would not mind leaving the settlers behind because the settlers themselves made the choice to live there. They made the choice, so they would have to endure the consquences if they choose to remain.

I was not aware that the IDF currently protects Palestinians from extremist settlers. I find that to be very encouraging.

I’ll post more thoughts as I continue this series.

]]> By: lior ben moshe http://www.samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/comment-page-1/#comment-166 lior ben moshe Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:21:10 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2007/03/27/solving-the-middle-east-part-iii-settlements-and-the-separation-barrier/#comment-166 i agree with every point you have stipulated for actions to be taken,but unfortunately one major problem still exsists with rethdrawing such west bank jews from these settlements.the major problem lies with these right wing fanatics is that this land belongs to the children of david.the last time land concestions were even talked about Iscaak Rabeen was assisnated at practically point blank range by 1(which can only mean the obvious).to these people giving away a piece of aritz israel is blasfmy.its very well to stipulate what needs to happen,but as you stated in your second synopsis,these people do take up a large piece of the political spectrum,how ever much a minority.yet in a country where it is so difficult for 1 political party to gain an un equivable majority how can any party take up a stance with out jepordising their seats.now natrualy its most logical to feel the need to just inform these settlers that they will fall under palestinian jurastriction if they choose to remain behind,but how can the israeli goverment just leave these people behind if and when a palestinian state is formed.at presant these settlers are protected by the israeli defense force.the army is similtaneously protecting arabs from the extremist settler mobbings as well.if israel would withdraw from the west bank i can assure you that many of these settlers would choose to stay,as well perform revolts and potentialy violent protests movements may arrise from such descisions.as well as that the hatred that has been building from west bank tensions would most definatly spill blood with out the army there to prevent such an anslaught.now i for 1 am fully pro the two state solution.but how do we prevent such an out come.which could potentially only worsten israeli palestinian relations.it seems to me that the most tenson causers happen to be from the smaller extrmist groups on both sides of the fence.how do we disallow a few bad grapes from rotting the bunch.i personaly can't seem to find the solution ..perhaps you may have an idea... i agree with every point you have stipulated for actions to be taken,but unfortunately one major problem still exsists with rethdrawing such west bank jews from these settlements.the major problem lies with these right wing fanatics is that this land belongs to the children of david.the last time land concestions were even talked about Iscaak Rabeen was assisnated at practically point blank range by 1(which can only mean the obvious).to these people giving away a piece of aritz israel is blasfmy.its very well to stipulate what needs to happen,but as you stated in your second synopsis,these people do take up a large piece of the political spectrum,how ever much a minority.yet in a country where it is so difficult for 1 political party to gain an un equivable majority how can any party take up a stance with out jepordising their seats.now natrualy its most logical to feel the need to just inform these settlers that they will fall under palestinian jurastriction if they choose to remain behind,but how can the israeli goverment just leave these people behind if and when a palestinian state is formed.at presant these settlers are protected by the israeli defense force.the army is similtaneously protecting arabs from the extremist settler mobbings as well.if israel would withdraw from the west bank i can assure you that many of these settlers would choose to stay,as well perform revolts and potentialy violent protests movements may arrise from such descisions.as well as that the hatred that has been building from west bank tensions would most definatly spill blood with out the army there to prevent such an anslaught.now i for 1 am fully pro the two state solution.but how do we prevent such an out come.which could potentially only worsten israeli palestinian relations.it seems to me that the most tenson causers happen to be from the smaller extrmist groups on both sides of the fence.how do we disallow a few bad grapes from rotting the bunch.i personaly can’t seem to find the solution ..perhaps you may have an idea…

]]>