Comments on: Disengage

By: Jack

Jack — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:50:00 +0000

I don’t believe that Israel can do much of anything here, at least from a world opinion standpoint. They won’t accept the need for defensive measures and will do nothing but provide lip service stating otherwise, or explaining why it is Israel’s fault that the situation exists.

By: LB

LB — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:03:47 +0000

NG – that was withdrawal – Israel was, and still is, very much engaged with the Gaza Strip. Of course it was an expulsion in 2005, and for the reasons you mention – but even after that, there is a business relationship between Gaza and Israeli firms.

Vicki – some companies have been compelled to do so, by the state. Banks, for example, as well as oil/gas companies. I am no sure what the banks want to do, but the oil/gas companies would be very happy to stop doing business with Gaza – they do not get paid on time, if at all (in which case the payment comes from withheld customs fees – as the whole area is still one customs region, which Israeli customs oversee). In fact, I believe it was Dor Alon, that wanted to stop supplying Gaza with fuel until outstanding debts were paid, but were forbidden from doing so. Water, food, etc. generally comes from NGOs (usually UNRWA, WHO, and ICRC), and Israel just controls the flow of their trucks.

While it would be nice if “we [would] no longer be accused of humanitarian abuses,” I am skeptical that would actually happen. It should eliminate the basis for these accusations, yet it is very similar to the argument made in favor of withdrawing from Lebanon in 2000, and 9 years later we’ve had 3 kidnapped (and killed) soldiers, and a horrifically managed war. And Israel is still to blame, of course.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:09:42 +0000

Completely agree with you that Israel has not disengaged. But why do Israeli companies continue to control everything still, as you have said? Is it pressure from the State? Or is it simply profitable for them to continue to keep doing so? As soon as we stop providing them with gas, water, etc, and let Hamas or whomever control their own borders, we will no longer be accused of humanitarian abuses. Lasseiz-faire, and let the Gazan Palestinians build their own internal structure. Will be more beneficial for Israel as well-less money in security protecting their borders and more protecting Israel’s.

By: Nobody

Nobody — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:22:21 +0000

There was indeed a disengagement from Gaza. It took place in the mid 1990s when the IDF pulled out of Gaza City and the other densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip.

What happened in 2005 was an expulsion, plain and simple; it had everything to do with Jews and nothing to do with Arabs. “Disengagement 2005″ was public relations spin brought to you by Dov Weisglass.