Dispossession of Palestinians Goes On and On and On and On and ...

When is enough enough? Apparently never.

The following headline from today's Ha'aretz tells the story: "Israel orders demolition of 8 Palestinian villages, claims need for IDF training land". You can read the details here, though they are just that - details. The fact is that the Israeli government has decided to clear 1500 Palestinians off of 7,500 acres (3000 hectares, 30 sq kms) of land that they have lived and farmed on since at least the 1830s. These Palestinian's have no representation in and no influence on the Israeli political process, and this move is of absolutely no benefit to them or their fellow Palestinians in even the most indirect way.

Does the army not have other areas that can be used for firing ranges? Is the Negev desert not full of empty spaces? At best this is callous disregard for Palestinian rights. At worst part of a conscious and ongoing policy of ethic cleansing. In any case, we shouldn't be surprised if a new intifada erupts, and we shouldn't be surprised when Israel garners so little support in international community.


What is this government thinking?