Israelis Blow Up Gaza Buildings Near Isolated Settlement

[Gimel]

JERUSALEM, Oct. 26

The Israeli Army blew up three vacant apartment buildings in the Gaza Strip on Sunday near a settlement where a Palestinian gunman killed three soldiers early Friday, as a debate sharpened in Israel over whether the isolated settlement was worth keeping.


Soldiers evacuated more than 2,000 Palestinians from surrounding buildings before demolishing the apartment houses, 12-story structures that the army said Palestinians had used to spy on the nearby settlement, Netzarim.

Israeli soldiers also shot and killed at least three Palestinian gunmen in clashes in Gaza on Sunday, Palestinian security officials said.

The blast on Sunday sent black smoke billowing into the pre-dawn sky and shattered windows of neighboring houses. One Palestinian was seriously injured, Palestinian officials said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/27/international/middleeast/27MIDE.html

[bluesoul]

1. Wow

Blowing up buildings where civilians live is indeed fighting terrorism. And then forcing several thousand people to lose their homes. Collective punishment?

[formactv]

2. Quote from Israel's first days

David Ben-Gurion first Israeli prime minister, quoted by Nehum Goldman in the book "The Israeli Paradox" quote, if I were an Arab leader I would never sign an agreement with Israel. It is normal, we've taken your country. It is true God promised it to us, but how could that interest them? Our God is not theirs. There has been anti-Semitism, the Nazis, Hitler, Auschwitz, but was that their fault? They see but one thing, we have come and we have stolen their country. Why would they accept that? End quote. Ben-Gurion.

[bluesoul]

3. Ben-Gurion

Great quote! And very sincere and honest! ;)

[rini]

4. I guess you have NO military background

or perhaps you were a cook. This is called "a clear zone."

[bluesoul]

5. Rini

My military service ended 4 months ago.

[Scurrilous]

7. If the Israelis build their settlements in sufficient numbers...

..and strategically place them in just the right places, they can 'clear zone' the Palestinians into the sea.

[Gimel]

6. Or to lose their families or lives?

As in deaths of over 20 in a suicide attack? What is a greater calamity? The several thousand were those who were evacuated from adjacent buildings. They did not lose their homes for more than one night.