Since the Gaza Pullout...

by Maurice Lavian

August 2005

Israel's image across the world improved significantly since the withdrawl

In early August Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon began implementing his planned withdrawl from the Gaza strip and parts of the West Bank. He dismantled 25 Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories. During that time we saw many incidents of Jewish settlers fighting to keep their homes and many Jewish extremists threatening to start a civil war. We saw the pictures of chaos as the anti-pullout demonstrators began turning to violence to stop this pullout from going through. These protesters claimed Israel would be making a grave mistake by unilaterally withdrawing from the territories. They believed it was a way of rewarding terrorism and could be percieved by the Arab world as a weakness. However, if one looks at Israel's image now they will realize the withdrawl has actually strengthened Israel. Since the begining of the intifada in 2000 Israel has been attacked left and right all across the world (except in the U.S.). Israel recieved a great amount of one sided condemnation for many of its acts (although most of it was in self-defense). European nations were threatening to arrest Sharon for war crimes if he ever stepped foot in those countries. Much of the Arab world despised Sharon for his hardline stance and his anti-Arab rhetoric. The U.N. adopted countless one-sided resolutions against Israel, while not adopting a single one against Palestinian terrorism. Every Israeli action, weather it was military incursions, assasinating terrorist leaders, or building its security barrier was strongly condemned by the U.N. However, that was then, and this is now. Since the withdrawl took place in early August of 2005, many peoples of the world have warmed up to Sharon and to Israel. Many polls suggest that Europeans, who used to beleive Israel was the biggest threat to world peace, are now warming up to Israel. Next group to warm up to Israel would be the U.N. The U.N. has a long history of discriminating against Israel. For example Israel is the only country in the world that cannot hold a seat on the security council. The U.N. has adopted countless one-sided resolutions against Israel. When an Israeli diplomat speaks to the U.N., they have been known to boo him off the stage. Well that was then and this is now. It appears things have changed for Israel at the U.N. On August 15 2005, when Ariel Sharon gave his famous speech to the U.N. where he said, "the right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel does not mean disregarding the rights of others in the land. The Palestinians will always be our neighbors. We respect them, and have no aspirations to rule over them. They are also entitled to freedom and to a national, sovereign existence in a state of their own." he wasn't booed, but he was cheered! This is unprecedented for the U.N. The U.N. obviously thinks a lot better of Sharon and of Israel than before the pullout. And if the EU and UN are not enough, it appears even the Arabs are warming up to Israel! It all started earlier this year when Sharon and Abbas declared a truce and Jordan and Egypt sent back their ambassadors to Israel after an almost 5 year absence. Since then Pakistan has moved towards diplomatic relations with Israel. Bahrain has ended its economic boycott of Israel. UAE and Qatar are already discussing diplomatic ties with Israel. And many other Arab countries have made favorable comments towards Israel. With all this being said, it is clear at this time that those opposed to the pullout were wrong about it weakening Israel. It has strengthened Israel. Many people now have more favorable feelings towards Israel and Sharon. This will hopefully result in the world putting more pressure on the Palestinians to make peace. Once that happens it is only a matter of time before peace is acheived between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The man who was once known as a hardliner is now close to becoming a peacemaker. Off course it is way too early to claim things have been solved. There is still a lot of work to be done and still a lot that can go wrong. But for right now things seem to be working out in the middle east.

Also see: Gaza Pullout Tests Limits of Israel's Democracy Understanding Pullout Opposition Sharon's Words at the U.N. World Opinion Has Shifted to Israel's Side Israel's Settlement Activity Israel, Pakistan Hold Historic Talks

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