I watched the video and feel compelled to tell you :
1) For peace with Egypt - the country of 80 M people that was by far the greatest danger to Israel's existence - it was unavoidable to return the Sinai. Besides, the whole world without any exception would never let Israel keep it as "conquest". In addition, I would not say of the Sinai that "it represents 2/3 of the land of Israel". This is simply false.
2) In 1982, I was was in the outskirts of Beyrouth. You claim that Sharon forbade the soldiers to fire, it is simply false. In fat, Sharon wanted very much to take out arafat (may his name be blotted out) and destroy utterly the arab fighters. He was precluded from doing so by immense international pressure and ultimately Menahem Beguin himself ordered to not take out the abominable arafat. In the end, arafatand and his cohorts were allowed to escape to Tunisia, far enough from Israel to clip his wings for a good few years.
So once again, you information is simply false.
3) The unilateral withdrawal from Gaza. There is no doubt Sharon was wrong to agree to it. It was an express demand from George Bush who convinced Sharon that if Israel would do this, America would do garantee 2 things in return :
a) stand firm with Israel to NEVER leave any part of Judea and Samaria.
b) eliminate the rising Iranian nuclear threat, by force if need be.
Sharon went as far as to get this in writing from President Bush and additionally the US Congress ratified the US committment to Israel. Inn Sharon's eyes, this step would definitely ensure that israel would never have to face an existential threat. In addition, there was a small chance of the arabs changing their ways once they receive some territory.
At the time, I was opposed to this move for one reason only : I know intimately the psyche of muslims in general and arabs in aprticular. I knew that no amount of concession would ever bring peace.
Abandoning Gaza was truly a HUGE mistake :
a) It is part of ancestral Israel.
b) It was perceived as a military victory for islam - it contributed to unite the whole muslim world.
c) If israel withdraws once from such territory on which it could have a claim, then it can be made to withdraw again in the future from Judea and Samaria.
d) It caused huge personal suffering to Jews who lost their life work and where NOT properly taken care of therafter.
So I have to agree with you on this point. Sharon made a huge mistake and we pay for it today.
All this being said, there are times in life when one must have the decency to remain silent. If Rabbi Kahane were alive, he would never have said "Sharon is dead, Baruch Hashem". It is disgraceful you say this of any Jew, let alone one that was a hero of Israel.
Even if he had committed the mistakes you cite, it would not be a reason to rejoice in his death.
PLEASE correct your stance. If you do, you will stand taller for it. If you do not, I say to you :
Shame on you Chaim ben Pessach !
Shavua tov,
Lef
Topic: Ariel Sharon is dead, thank G-d (2 new videos) (Read 2239 times)