The danger at home

[Classical_Liberal]

The danger at home



The results of the Likud's referendum on the disengagement plan sent shock waves throughout broad segments of the public. Once again it became evident that the settlers set the agenda for the State of Israel. While they are a small minority, they are highly motivated, well organized with a firm ideology and enormous financial resources - some directly from government ministries - and driven with a messianic passion and readiness for sacrifice, including life.



Nothing stands up against them. There is no parliament or extra-parliamentary movement that forms a counter-balance to the settlers. Peace Now, which used to turn out hundreds of thousands to demonstrations in favor of the peace process, has grown tired and evaporated. And all this happened when a majority of the public actually favors a withdrawal from Gaza and supports reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians, even if it means far-reaching concessions.

Ever since Gush Emunim took over Sebastia in December 1975, all Israeli governments have twisted, stammered and lied when it comes to the settlements in the territories. Some did so for ideological reasons, while others gave in to pressure, but the end result has been that every year, the taxpayers send huge amounts of money to expand the settlements that encourage the construction of homes for young married couples, bridges, roads and bypass roads. When the pressure mounts, the government makes promises - sometimes to us and sometimes to the U.S. government - about settlement freezes, but they never take place.

The Gaza settlements are the height of absurdity, hubris of outrageous dimensions. Despite all the billions that have been invested in the area, only 7,500 Jews live in 20 isolated venues and have no chance of surviving without an enormous military presence protecting them. It's a brutal occupation that has given a third of the land including water resources, to those 7,500 people, while 1.3 million Arabs live on 65 percent of the land in terribly overcrowded conditions and horrifying poverty. This occupation threatens the existence of the state. Every reasonable person understands that the situation cannot go on forever without some terrible explosion......

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/423685.html

[bemildred]

1. So how does this come about?

You cannot tell me that the settlers, as such, hold that kind
of power. The power lies in the government, the military, the
government of the USA. They enable this, they make it happen.
The settlers, looney as they are, are scapegoats and puppets.

[Classical_Liberal]

2. The voters ultimately have a say in both countries

. I don't think the settlers are scapegoats. They interact with the Miltary Industrial Complex, and ultimately get what they want in doing so.

[bemildred]

3. I don't exactly disagree.

I'm just pointing out that they don't actually have that
kind of power, they are a few hundred thousand, not especially
rich, they cannot elect much of anyone by themselves. If they
get their way, it's because someone who does have that
kind of power wants it that way.