Humphries made the statements after a week-long fact-finding visit to Israel where he met with Hamas leaders, Al-Aksa Brigades terrorists and Kadima's number-two Shimon Peres. He also toured the Jewish towns slated for demolition under Kadima's proposed withdrawal being referred to as the “Convergence Plan” escorted by IsraelNationalRadio's Alex Traiman.
During his visit, Humphries broadcast from Arutz-7’s IsraelNationalRadio studios and was a guest on the Yishai and Malka Fleisher Show.
"I thought the civilized world learned its lesson about appeasement from Hitler, but clearly we haven't," Humphries told WorldNetDaily after returning to his Florida home. "The terrorists attacked. Israel retreated and gave them the Gaza Strip. Now Hamas has been propelled to power promising to get the Palestinians the West Bank. Rockets are being launched almost daily from Gaza, which has become a terror sanctuary for even America's enemies, including al-Qaeda, according to many reports. Attacks are being stepped up in the West Bank, and in response Israel is planning to retreat next from there.
“The message being sent loud and clear is that terrorism works. I've talked with the terrorists. They tell me they won't stop until they get Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and all of Israel. And you know what? I believe them. Why should they stop when Israel responds by giving them more territory?"
Humphries insisted that he went into the visit unconvinced of the justice of either the Jewish or Arab claim to the land. "Originally, I didn't have a dog in the fight. I am not Jewish or Muslim. I just wanted to figure out the problems and see if there could be a peaceful solution. So I studied the history and read the news and listened to what the politicians on both sides had to say.
"The Israelis believe if they give up land they will get peace. But listen to the tone of the Palestinian media, education system, leadership and the terrorists. They say the withdrawal from Gaza hasn't made a bit of a difference to them except that it whet their appetites for more. All they care about is the destruction of the Jewish state. They won’t be satisfied until that happens."
Humphries added that from his interviews with terrorists, it is clear to him what the next stage in the war against the Jewish State would be following Olmert’s planned withdrawal. "The West Bank borders and is above many major Israeli cities. When Israel gets out, the rockets will start flying into Jerusalem, and the violence will get out of hand because the terrorists will believe their tactics got them Gaza and the West Bank so why not Jerusalem and the rest of Israel."
The long-time US talk show host added that Israel’s actions not only endanger its own citizens, but threaten America’s war against Islamic terrorism. "I am afraid not just about Israel but also about the rest of Western world. Terrorists all over will take notice. They will see a democratic country retreating in the face of terrorism and it will teach them that terrorism works. It will motivate the terrorists to use the same tactics in other places – that if just the right amount of terrorism is applied in Iraq and Afghanistan and eventually worldwide, it will cause the West to retreat."
During Humphries meeting with Shimon Peres, the octogenarian told him that a withdrawal from the Biblical heartland in Judea and Samaria is necessary "because Israel cannot continue to govern another people. The Palestinians need a state."
"I feel sorry for the man," Humphries said of Peres. "His policies are not thought out long term militarily or diplomatically. You don't cede strategic territory bordering your major cities to an enemy sworn to your destruction. The only emotion I have toward Peres is sadness, because once he gives up the West Bank it will lead to Jerusalem and the rest of Israel."
Speaking as a Christian, Humphries advised fellow members of his faith worldwide to keep Judea and Samaria under Israeli control in order to protect their own freedom of access to their holy sites. "Even for people who don't think Jews should have a homeland, every religious Christian out there needs to be concerned that Israel is giving these communities – which contain holy sites – to the Palestinians. The one thing I have seen is that when Jews are in control of Christian sites, I as a Christian can go and visit. But when Muslims have control I am either not allowed or am greatly restricted. Either Muslims have to give up their selfish attitude or they cannot be given any authority over other religions' holy sites."
Humphries cited the current restrictive policies on the Temple Mount, which was given over to control of the Muslim Wakf and the destruction of Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem.
Summing up, Humphries said: "The withdrawal on all levels is just disastrous. The Palestinians and the Arab world only understand strength and power. When Israel is strong it is respected. But when it is weak and it retreats its enemies will smell fear and they will pounce."
"The Rusty Humphries Show," live from 9 PM to 12 AM Eastern Standard Time, is featured on more than 230 radio stations nationwide, including WDBO in Orlando, WCBM in Baltimore, KSFO in San Francisco, KOKC in Oklahoma City, WNIS in Norfolk, KHBZ in Honolulu and KVI in Seattle.
(Photo of Humphries interviewing Hamas official Abu-Tir courtesy of WND)