Israeli Pullout

The March 29 Issue of the New York Times includes on its cover an article outlining the recent Israeli election results. The article announces the victory for the Kadima Party, a newly formed political force that claims to be moderate. Kadima was formed shortly before Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a major stroke in January 2006, which was given over to Ehud Olmert as acting Prime Minister. The Party’s main platform rests on the promise to give up the West Bank and other “occupied territories” to the Palestinian Authority as an act of ‘Disengagement’. I chose this issue because I do not think Israel should give any more land away. I do not think the Kadima party is an accurate representation of the larger population (only 52% of citizens cast ballots in the recent elections). There is a saying among Israelis: “No More Concrete Land For Paper Promises.” The PA has repeatedly proven itself to be an organization that supports terrorism and is unwilling to take action against its own people when the International Laws of Peace are broken. It must also be mentioned that after the Gaza pullout, the PA has not maintained their end of the bargain, which was a promise to keep Gaza’s Egyptian border safe and to not tolerate ANY acts of violence from within the Gaza borders into Israel. Neither of these promises have been upheld. Last Tuesday, the first Katyucsha rocket was fired into Israel from Gaza, signaling an escalation of warfare. Up until recently, the attacks have been limited to Qassam rockets (which have a shorter range and are therefore less of a threat, but are by no means ‘safe’ for the people of Israel) are being fired at Israeli citizens. With the recent Palestinian elections resulting in a victory for Hamas (a terrorist organization) the peace plan is already in a state of uncertainty, and for Olmert to suggest that he will continue with the peace plan established under former leader Arafat is almost laughable. It is a critical time in the history of Israel as a nation; decisions will be made that will permanently affect the citizens and their way of life. Hopefully, Ehud Olmert and his party are prepared for the challenge and its consequences.