February 20, 2004

“Sharon’s plan of withdrawal constitutes a victory to the Palestinians. We aim at an Israeli flight Lebanon-style.”

Senior Fatah terrorists

“Dismantling settlements will be construed as a victory to terrorism.”

Gen. Ze’evi, Chief of Military Intelligence
at the Knesset’s Committee on Defense
and Foreign Affairs, Feb. 10, 2004

The withdrawal from Lebanon (July 2000) has been perceived, by Palestinians, as a retreat in face of terrorism. It destroyed Israel’s posture of deterrence and inflamed an unprecedented wave of Palestinian terrorism (since Oct. 2000) and has exerted an unprecedented price in terms of human lives and economic growth.
The withdrawal from Lebanon escalated Palestinian terrorism in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and the Negev and has provided Hizbullah with a platform to threaten Haifa and even Hadera. Another withdrawal from Gaza would transform the strip into the Lebanon of the Negev, Ashqelon and Ashdod.
The 1993-8 withdrawal from Gaza and 40% of Judea & Samaria has intensified Palestinian terrorism: 1,400 murdered during the 10 years since Oslo (proportionally – 70,000 Americans – 23 Twin Towers!), compared with 215 murdered during the 15 years prior to Oslo. Additional withdrawal from Gaza would expand the use of tunnels to smuggle explosives and military supplies.
The 1995 withdrawal from Bethlehem and Beit Jallah transformed Gilo into a Palestinian firing range, with was stopped by the takeover of the two cities. The 2003 withdrawal from these cities bolstered terror infrastructure, resulting in the homicide bus bombing in Jerusalem last month (11 murdered).

The Bottom Line

1.2 million Arabs side-by-side with 5.4 million Jews within the Green Line constitute peaceful co-existence, but 230,000 Jews side-by-side with 2.5 million Arabs in Gaza, Judea&Samaria constitute an obstacle to peace???
*Dismantling Jewish town promotes peace, but dismantling Arab towns violates human rights???
*An additional withdrawal from Gaza – just like its predecessors would exacerbate Palestinian terrorism and undermine moderate Palestinians.
*A withdrawal from Gaza would reward terrorism: “Territories for Nothing” or probably “Territories for Terror.”
*A durable peace in the Mideast must be based on deterrence. Retreat in face of terrorism entrenches the Oslo State of Mind, and therefore undermines deterrence, fuels terrorism, distances the area from peace and brings war closer.
*If the US would have retreated from Taliban and Saddam strong holds, allowing the terror regimes to stay in power, the world would have perceived Washington to be a Paper Tiger, strengthening terrorism and dealing a death blow to moderation and democracy there.