Sharon and Israeli PoliticsIsrael and Palestine
Two leaders dominate this discussion -- Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon -- even while the US and Israel try to promote Abu mazen.
There is little need to document the shortcomings of Yasser Arafat -- they are covered every day in the American press.
... But what about the other partner in the peace? What kind of man is Ariel Sharon? What's his history? What's the mentality and political picture in Israel under his leadership?
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Lapid, Justice minister, on Rafah raid: 'is no forgiveness for people who treat an old woman in this way.'
Opinion: Editorial: Israel's dark turn (captimes.com): "May 26, 2004
Israel has been the target of intense international criticism for its extreme assault on the Palestinian people and properties of the Rafah refugee camp on the Gaza Strip. But the most stinging criticism has come from within Israel. Indeed, it has come from within the Israeli government.
After seeing a photograph of an elderly Palestinian woman sitting atop the rubble of a home destroyed by the Israeli military, Israeli Justice Minister Yosef Lapid said he was reminded of his grandmother's suffering during the Holocaust.
The statement by Lapid, a Holocaust survivor himself, sparked furor in Israel. Hard-line members of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud Party demanded that Lapid recant his statement, while Sharon said that the justice minister's words had added 'oil to the fire of incitement.'
But Lapid stood his ground, arguing that the destruction of the homes must be halted and suggesting chillingly that there 'is no forgiveness for people who treat an old woman in this way.' "
Opinion: Editorial: Israel's dark turn (captimes.com): "May 26, 2004
Israel has been the target of intense international criticism for its extreme assault on the Palestinian people and properties of the Rafah refugee camp on the Gaza Strip. But the most stinging criticism has come from within Israel. Indeed, it has come from within the Israeli government.
After seeing a photograph of an elderly Palestinian woman sitting atop the rubble of a home destroyed by the Israeli military, Israeli Justice Minister Yosef Lapid said he was reminded of his grandmother's suffering during the Holocaust.
The statement by Lapid, a Holocaust survivor himself, sparked furor in Israel. Hard-line members of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud Party demanded that Lapid recant his statement, while Sharon said that the justice minister's words had added 'oil to the fire of incitement.'
But Lapid stood his ground, arguing that the destruction of the homes must be halted and suggesting chillingly that there 'is no forgiveness for people who treat an old woman in this way.' "
Monday, May 17, 2004
[Israel, the only democracy ...!] ...60,000 votes, less than 1% of population make decision not to withdraw from Gaza ...
The New York Times > International > Middle East > Israeli Rally on Saturday Evokes '82, but Tables Have Turned: "By JAMES BENNET | Published: May 15, 2004
...
Organizers of the demonstration have seized on public polls, including two published Friday, showing that a strong majority of the country supports withdrawing the 7,500 settlers in Gaza and the troops around them.
In a referendum of its membership on May 2, Mr. Sharon's rightist Likud Party rejected his plan for "unilateral disengagement." Only a minority of Likud members cast ballots, and in the end the plan was beaten decisively, but with a total of only 60,000 votes - less than 1 percent of Israel's population.
For the left, that vote has crystallized an argument that a tiny, pro-settler minority is subverting the majority's will.
"This small minority has taken this decision, and solders are getting killed for it," said Galia Golan, a political scientist who is a leader of the Israeli group Peace Now and an organizer of the demonstration. "Everyone who's killed, everyone who falls, is a double tragedy, because there is simply no need to be there." ...
The New York Times > International > Middle East > Israeli Rally on Saturday Evokes '82, but Tables Have Turned: "By JAMES BENNET | Published: May 15, 2004
...
Organizers of the demonstration have seized on public polls, including two published Friday, showing that a strong majority of the country supports withdrawing the 7,500 settlers in Gaza and the troops around them.
In a referendum of its membership on May 2, Mr. Sharon's rightist Likud Party rejected his plan for "unilateral disengagement." Only a minority of Likud members cast ballots, and in the end the plan was beaten decisively, but with a total of only 60,000 votes - less than 1 percent of Israel's population.
For the left, that vote has crystallized an argument that a tiny, pro-settler minority is subverting the majority's will.
"This small minority has taken this decision, and solders are getting killed for it," said Galia Golan, a political scientist who is a leader of the Israeli group Peace Now and an organizer of the demonstration. "Everyone who's killed, everyone who falls, is a double tragedy, because there is simply no need to be there." ...
