The recent pronouncements by Trade Minister Ehud Olmert indicate that the Israeli government is now preparing to engage in a campaign of mass destruction of Jewish settlements in Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha). Sadly, the settlement movement continues to remain quiet in the mounting opposition to their presence in Yesha and with the reality that many of their Likud leaders have betrayed them, and bowed to pressure from the European Union and the United States. The settlement movement has lacked leadership and initiative. That will continue to hurt the further expansion of this precious mission of reclaiming the land for Jews and preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state in the Jewish heartland.
Leaders who have betrayed their constituents, from Benjamin Netanyahu to the now comfortable and silent National Union and National Religious Party ministers, must now be prepared to leave the government, even before the evacuations begin. The left-wing has been more organized and has out-maneuvered the right-wing. With no bold leader emerging, the interests of those who love Yesha and want to see the expansion of settlements will continue to suffer. Although Tourism Minister Benny Elon recently unveiled a plan calling for the destruction of the Palestinian Authority and steps to ensure the survival of the Yesha Jewish population, he has been rather quiet - extremely quiet, that is - in an effort to not irritate Ariel Sharon and the US Administration.
Benny Elon, a religious Jew, at that, should be leading the campaign against the now unilateral/ethnic cleansing policies being proposed by Ariel Sharon and his other puppets, who sell their ideals for power and prestige. Elon should be in the media promoting his plan and condemning the unilateral initiatives and increasing the campaign for US support of his plan, especially in the United States congress. Instead, Elon sits comfortably in the cabinet meeting room on Sundays, while the ideals of his people continue to be sold for American loans and European support.
The settlement movement has failed their people and continues to create more enemies than supporters. It?s unacceptable that many studies reveal many Israelis supporting the destruction of Jewish communities in Yesha. This is the failure of the Yesha Council and the right-wing politicians who are uninformed diplomatically and lack any dynamic vision and alternative.
Needed now is an alternative to the Sharon government, an alternative to Ariel Sharon and his puppet ministers; a group or a true leader who will fight against Israel making a historic mistake and bowing to terrorism.
It is incomprehensible that sensible ministers would remain quiet when Hebron is on the chopping block, when Arabs are desecrating Yosef?s Tomb, when Shechem and Rachel?s Tomb is on the line. Jewish holy sites must remain in Jewish hands and never be given over to racist Palestinian leaders, who seek the destruction of the Jewish people and their history.
The settlers must be commended for their bravery and their resilience in face of terror, but this is a time for them to reflect on their leadership and demand a new approach. An approach to win the hearts and minds of their own people, as the unilateral initiatives is a new and difficult test. Another approach is necessary.
Settlers must rattle their supporters and let their voice be heard in this new environment. A vocal and powerful opposition bloc must be created to torpedo any concessions to terrorism by the Sharon government. The NRP and NU must leave the government now and bold initiatives like the Elon plan must be advanced. I still hope Benny Elon will begin his campaign to increase awareness of and support for his excellent plan.
A new day rises in Israel and this time, it is the betrayal of the right-wing?s own leaders and a betrayal of Israeli patriots. This is truly a defining time in Jewish history and the settlers and their pioneering supporters must not allow their vision and their ideas to be flushed down the drain.
Remember the blood of those who fought for the settlements, who protected the settlers and were killed, and the very settlers who were murdered in their homeland. No one must allow their death to be in vain, no one, not Sharon and not Olmert, or any other morally bankrupt Israeli government.
Leaders who have betrayed their constituents, from Benjamin Netanyahu to the now comfortable and silent National Union and National Religious Party ministers, must now be prepared to leave the government, even before the evacuations begin. The left-wing has been more organized and has out-maneuvered the right-wing. With no bold leader emerging, the interests of those who love Yesha and want to see the expansion of settlements will continue to suffer. Although Tourism Minister Benny Elon recently unveiled a plan calling for the destruction of the Palestinian Authority and steps to ensure the survival of the Yesha Jewish population, he has been rather quiet - extremely quiet, that is - in an effort to not irritate Ariel Sharon and the US Administration.
Benny Elon, a religious Jew, at that, should be leading the campaign against the now unilateral/ethnic cleansing policies being proposed by Ariel Sharon and his other puppets, who sell their ideals for power and prestige. Elon should be in the media promoting his plan and condemning the unilateral initiatives and increasing the campaign for US support of his plan, especially in the United States congress. Instead, Elon sits comfortably in the cabinet meeting room on Sundays, while the ideals of his people continue to be sold for American loans and European support.
The settlement movement has failed their people and continues to create more enemies than supporters. It?s unacceptable that many studies reveal many Israelis supporting the destruction of Jewish communities in Yesha. This is the failure of the Yesha Council and the right-wing politicians who are uninformed diplomatically and lack any dynamic vision and alternative.
Needed now is an alternative to the Sharon government, an alternative to Ariel Sharon and his puppet ministers; a group or a true leader who will fight against Israel making a historic mistake and bowing to terrorism.
It is incomprehensible that sensible ministers would remain quiet when Hebron is on the chopping block, when Arabs are desecrating Yosef?s Tomb, when Shechem and Rachel?s Tomb is on the line. Jewish holy sites must remain in Jewish hands and never be given over to racist Palestinian leaders, who seek the destruction of the Jewish people and their history.
The settlers must be commended for their bravery and their resilience in face of terror, but this is a time for them to reflect on their leadership and demand a new approach. An approach to win the hearts and minds of their own people, as the unilateral initiatives is a new and difficult test. Another approach is necessary.
Settlers must rattle their supporters and let their voice be heard in this new environment. A vocal and powerful opposition bloc must be created to torpedo any concessions to terrorism by the Sharon government. The NRP and NU must leave the government now and bold initiatives like the Elon plan must be advanced. I still hope Benny Elon will begin his campaign to increase awareness of and support for his excellent plan.
A new day rises in Israel and this time, it is the betrayal of the right-wing?s own leaders and a betrayal of Israeli patriots. This is truly a defining time in Jewish history and the settlers and their pioneering supporters must not allow their vision and their ideas to be flushed down the drain.
Remember the blood of those who fought for the settlements, who protected the settlers and were killed, and the very settlers who were murdered in their homeland. No one must allow their death to be in vain, no one, not Sharon and not Olmert, or any other morally bankrupt Israeli government.