A clandestine undertaking on behalf of Israel, the Jets and the Jews.

 
Ariel Sharon and the Outposts

As expected, a new report has concluded that the Israeli government has provided support and services for settlement outposts set up in Judea, Samaria and Gaza.

The report was commissioned by Prime Minister Sharon under orders of the Bush Administration to assist him in the politically difficult endeavor of removing many of these outposts.

That Sharon was a strong supporter of new settlements is anything but a secret. As Agriculture Minister, Housing Minister, Infrastructure Minister and even Foreign Minister, Sharon did all he could to assist settlement in locations he thought to be strategic. Indeed, in his first term as Prime Minister, in 2001 and 2002, many of the outposts were erected with quiet - but hardly secret - government support.

It's not surprising that as Prime Minister, Sharon has a different view, taking the position that the outposts must be removed. Whether motivated by political pressure from the U.S., pragmatism, an ideological shift, or some combination of these factors, Sharon's turnabout could have been expected.

What is outrageous is Sharon's cynical reaction to the report. As reported in today's New York Times, Raanan Gissin, a Sharon adviser and spokesman stated: "If laws were broken, subject to the decision of the attorney general, indictments may be made. Israel is a country of the rule of law, and laws will be upheld."

This is laughable, because if anyone deserves to be indicted over the manner in which settlements have been erected and funded (for what it's worth I don't think any such indictments are appropriate), it is Ariel Sharon. This is something that those on the left and right can agree on. It was Sharon who - immediately after the Wye Agreement to give the PLO 13 percent of Judea and Samaria was signed - called upon Israelis to "grab every hilltop." And Sharon did much more than call for settlement of empty land, he was a key actor in facilitating such settlement. As Nadav Shragai explains in today's Haaretz, a typical outpost would be formed in the following manner:

"That is a strategic location of primary importance," Sharon is quoted as saying while pointing at a bare hill. "That hill should be taken. We will first build a pool up there," he said.

Officials of the Mekorot Water Company tried to explain that the location was unsuitable for a water reservoir, but Sharon was unmoved: "I trust you," he said, "Solve the problem."

Later Sharon turned to the settlers and said half-jokingly: "Set a guard over the water reservoir. He will of course be lonely. He will marry and have a family. The children will need friends. Other families will follow. Then there will be a minyan [quorum]. A quorum needs a synagogue. The women need a mikveh [a ritual bath]. The children need a kindergarten and parks. That is how we will turn Mitzpeh Horsha into a settlement."
posted on 3/09/2005