Israel says killing Arafat an option

[Legion]

http://www.msnbc.com/news/801833.asp?0sl=-32

 

[CosmoKramer]

Adolf Sharon strikes again.

 

[zurich]

I'm glad to see that the entire world is against Isreal on this one. Even the US thinks its a bad idea (but not for the same reasons).

edit: @ CosmosKramer's remark! Personally, I prefer Darth Sharon

 

[RussSchultz]

I'm against the idea, though it certainly would change the political landscape and possibly open up new avenues to pursue peace in the long run.

I certainly won't shed a tear the day he shuffles off this mortal coil, though.

 

[Natoma]

Neither would I be sad if this were carried out. While it would probably end up only making Arafat a martyr (hence the reason I'd be against it), it's painfully clear that Arafat is more interested in maintaining his power than truly seeing the Palestinians get what they need. It's too bad more palestinians don't see this truth.

 

[Sxotty]

Most people in power have the primary concern that they stay in power in that he is not unusual. I have to agree he has become completely useless for everyone the only reason the Palestinians like him at all is that other they hate dislike him. The people were pretty sick of him till the US said he was an annoying useless figure.

But yes of course killing him would be stupid and accomplish nothing he will die soon enough as it is.

 

[Legion]

Adolf Sharon strikes again.

we certainly would not want to kill arafat the wonderful Hamas supporting, peace loving, self appointed palestinian leader now would we?

 

[Humus]

There gotta be better ways to get him out of the picture. Somehow the public opionion among Palestinians needs to be changed in favor for guys like Abbas.

 

[CosmoKramer]

Adolf Sharon strikes again.

we certainly would not want to kill arafat the wonderful Hamas supporting, peace loving, self appointed palestinian leader now would we?

The situation is as follows.

* Two semitic tribes are engaged in a vicious fight over a useless piece of desert

* After decades of low-intensity conflict the vast majority of (external, objective) pundits see no military solution to the conflict.

* No military solution means that a political solution is the only answer

* Arafat is the political leader of one of the tribes.


Obviously, regardless of how one feels about Arafat (I certainly don't like the man) true peace without the consent/support of the acknowledged Palestinian leader is not possible.

 

[Gubbi]

Somehow the public opionion among Palestinians needs to be changed in favor for guys like Abbas.

Cutting down on the helicopter gunship strikes in residential areas might be a good start.

Cheers
Gubbi

 

[Legion]

* Two semitic tribes are engaged in a vicious fight over a useless piece of desert

It has cultural significance. The land you come from is some how more important?

* After decades of low-intensity conflict the vast majority of (external, objective) pundits see no military solution to the conflict.

Then i suppose its really comes down to defending yourself and your people's interest. If so one could argue in favor of killing Arafat.

* No military solution means that a political solution is the only answer

There is no ultimate solution. However you still have the responsibility as a leader to defend your people.

* Arafat is the political leader of one of the tribes.

Arafat is the useless selfappointed figure head of the palestinian people and member of Hamas terrorist group.

Obviously, regardless of how one feels about Arafat (I certainly don't like the man) true peace without the consent/support of the acknowledged Palestinian leader is not possible.

Even if he is a terrorist organizer/sympathizer? How would peace be achieved when your enemies' leader is fighting for war?

 

[Legion]

Somehow the public opionion among Palestinians needs to be changed in favor for guys like Abbas.

Cutting down on the helicopter gunship strikes in residential areas might be a good start.

Cheers
Gubbi

Or perhaps the palestinians electing to remove their illegal settlements and opting not to support terrorism?

 

[CosmoKramer]

Then i suppose its really comes down to defending yourself and your people's interest. If so one could argue in favor of killing Arafat.8

They have tried the military approach for decades. How is it working for them?

There is no ultimate solution.

Are you french? That's a totally non-productive defeatist attitude.

However you still have the responsibility as a leader to defend your people.

Of course. The best way to protect your citizens is by negotiating a peace treaty. Over the decades it has become clear that there is no military solution that provides peace.

Arafat is the useless selfappointed figure head of the palestinian people and member of Hamas terrorist group.

Arafat is the elected prsident of the Palestinians. Still, even if he wasn't he is clearly the one Palestinian leader with the most popular support. You can rightfully call him a terrorist and hate him, but lasting peace without him is not possible. Killing him would make peace impossible for probably several decades. Killing him is a nutcase idea only the likes of Sharon who still after all these years think a military solution is possible.

Even if he is a terrorist organizer/sympathizer? How would peace be achieved when your enemies leader is fighting for war?

Like I said, we need to look at reality the way it is. Both Arafat and Sharon are utterly despicable men, but a political solution would be rendered impossible if Arafat would be killed.

 

[Accord1999]

Or perhaps the palestinians electing to remove their illegal settlements and opting not to support terrorism?

How would the Palestinians get rid of all those illegal settlements when they're heavily protected by Israel?

 

[Natoma]

Or perhaps the palestinians electing to remove their illegal settlements and opting not to support terrorism?

The israelis also have illegal settlements fyi, which is one of the concessions the israelis have offered toward a peace agreement.

 

[Legion]

another good article

http://debka.com/article.php?aid=

 

[CosmoKramer]

Or perhaps the palestinians electing to remove their illegal settlements and opting not to support terrorism?

Wtf? So according to you the problem is that the Palestinians occupy Israeli land? You're either just not particularly bright since you seem to have somehow managed to reverse the actual situation, or you're a Christian nutcase from the bible belt.

Either way life is too short to debate with the likes of you.

 

[Legion]

They have tried the military approach for decades. How is it working for them?

How isn't it working for them and who are you refering to? Are you suggesting they (israel) should stop defending their people or their interests against pale-terrorism?

Are you french? That's a totally non-productive defeatist attitude.

If i were French i would suggest the Israelis give up and allow the arabs to walk all over them.

Of course. The best way to protect your citizens is by negotiating a peace treaty. Over the decades it has become clear that there is no military solution that provides peace.

Even though everyone of them has failed? Even if your enemies' leader is a terrorist who wants nothing to do with peace? I would have to say negotiating with a the likes of Arafat or Hamas has demonstratibly failed.

Arafat is the elected prsident of the Palestinians.

you mean the re-selfappointed leader.

Still, even if he wasn't he is clearly the one Palestinian leader with the most popular support.

And how telling that is...

You can rightfully call him a terrorist and hate him, but lasting peace without him is not possible.

Am i hearing you right? Lasting peace is possible with a man who wants nothing more than israeli's death?

Killing him would make peace impossible for probably several decades.

You can garauntee me that peace is possible now?

It may be in the best interest to kill arafat and disolve Hamas. THey are the cause of a great deal of the lack of peace. Taking them out of the picture would help cut down on terrorist influence.

Killing him is a nutcase idea only the likes of Sharon who still after all these years think a military solution is possible.

Leaving the self appointed leader of the palestinians who wishes nothing but the death of israel will help promote peace and incourage the palestinians to act against terrorism amongst their ranks?

Like I said, we need to look at reality the way it is. Both Arafat and Sharon are utterly despicable men, but a political solution would be rendered impossible if Arafat would be killed.

I am not to sure what to say about Sharon. It seems to me that much of the leftist media of europe has painted a skewed image of him and his military involvements however reviewing his alledged actions before assention to prime minister of israel and his behavior while being leader paints a picture in my mind of a man clearly more willing to work towards peace then his adversary Arafat. In other words I think much of what has been printed about sharon is nothing but pure propaganda.

 

[Legion]

Wtf? So according to you the problem is that the Palestinians occur Israeli land?

There are plenty of palestinian citizens within Tel Aviv alone. If ridding israel of palis was their governments plans why are they handing out citizenship?

My problem is with illegal settlements. Being that they are illegal they have no business occuring.

You're either just not particularly bright since you seem to have somehow managed to reverse the actual situation, or you're a Christian nutcase from the bible belt.

So whomever disagrees with your stance is automatically one of these two generalizations?

Israel is illegally holding their land? Strange, after reviewing military history i realize much of the land held by nations of the world was acquired through military conquest. I find it bizare anyone would have a problem with israel holding lands it took while defending itself. I do agree with you however both are illegally holding the land which is actually owned by the bizantine greeks .

Either way life is too short to debate with the likes of you.

Of what am i being accused?

 

[Legion]

Or perhaps the palestinians electing to remove their illegal settlements and opting not to support terrorism?

The israelis also have illegal settlements fyi, which is one of the concessions the israelis have offered toward a peace agreement.

How is it illegal for them to have settlements on land they occupy? To what are you refering?