Sunday Dec 23, 2007

Arguing in favor of settlements

Posted by Ira Sharkansky

Once again American officials are pressing Israelis to limit the construction of housing for Jews over the pre-1967 border, and to dismantle existing settlements, especially the "illegal" ones established without the approval of the Israeli government. Without those actions, according to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and others, Israel will not build confidence among the Palestinians. The lack of Palestinian confidence will threaten the peace process.

Some time ago, an American friend asked me to summarize for him the arguments in favor of the settlements.

There are no good general arguments. The devil is in the details. In my view, Israel had a right to settle, if only to pressure Palestinians and other Arabs who refused for years after 1967 to negotiate the future with Israel. Some settlements are too large and established to consider giving up. Holding others is more difficult to justify.

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Window on Israel Hebrew University Political Science professor evaluates the latest happenings in Israel.

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gad jer is: all life is sacred. thats whats missing here
Chris: What about Daniel 9:24-26a? The time span from Artaxerxes’ decree to rebuild the city in March 444 b.c. until Christ’s crucifixion in April a.d. 33 covered 483 prophetical years (173,880 days). This calculation agrees perfectly with our own solar calendar. Thus, Daniel predicted that 483 prophetic years would lapse from Artaxerxes’ decree until the death of the Messiah. There is no one else that fits this prophecy.
Chris: Interesting that Hashem wrote in Zechariah 12.2-3 : "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." Man will never solve mankind's problems despite the best efforts and intentions of people. It will take divine intervention.

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