These comments by a right-wing Israeli politician are not simply the ramblings of a lone voice. They are views shared by a growing number of Israelis across the political spectrum. Many Israelis simply want the Palestinians to disappear, hence the “need” for building walls, checkpoints, untold humiliation and assassinations. Jews have become experts in occupation. The coming year between the Israelis and Palestinians is likely to result in little. So back to the politician:
Hiking, scouting and promoting the forced “transfer” of Palestinians out of the West Bank – these are the main goals of a new youth movement formed by a far-right Israeli MP. Ariyeh Eldad of the National Union party told public radio he had visited numerous schools across the country, “and realized that the idea of transfer is very popular among youngsters.” The concept of transfer, often touted by Israel’s far-right, consists of forcefully transferring Palestinians to Arab countries, a clear violation of international law.
“I have always claimed a transfer is necessary and possible,” Eldad, 56, told the Yediot Ahronot daily. “The teenagers always ask me ‘where are we going to?’, ‘what can we do?’ I realized there was no adequate cadre for this youth and decided to form a new … movement.”
The MP, who himself lives in the West Bank settlement of Kfar Edumim, says he will personally head the movement
MP Ronit Tirosh of the ruling Kadima Party told public radio that she feared the movement would be recognized by the Education Ministry provided it did not violate basic democratic rules.
After years of conflict, savvier Israelis are starting to realise that decades of failed policy have led to a stalemate that will not be resolved through military means. Time is on the Palestinian side.
UPDATE: The unthinkable becomes reality in Israel.