Disengagement – Track Record Examined
By
Yoram Ettinger
1.
Israel’s 1993/6 disengagement from Gaza and 40% of Judea and Samaria
established the pro-Saddam/Taliban PA, coinciding with the dramatic
rise in anti-US Islamic terrorism, leading to the Twin Towers
terrorism. Palestinian terrorists fought the US in Afghanistan
and Iraq. Islamic terrorists compare Israel’s disengagement to
the US retreat from Beirut (1983) and Somali (1993).
2.
IDF re-engagement with, and control of, Palestinian towns has
sharply cut terrorism in 2004. Palestinian terrorism has targeted,
mostly, Israel’s pre-1967 area. IDF presence in/around Gaza protects,
primarily, pre-1967 Israel.
3.
In 1994 Israel disengaged from 85% of Gaza (and 100% of its population).
By 1998 Israel disengaged from 40% of Judea & Samaria (and
95% of its population). It yielded unprecedented terrorism, facilitated
anti-US and anti-Israel hate-education, smuggling and manufacturing
of terror hardware, recruitment and training of terrorists.
4.
250 Israelis were murdered, by Palestinian terrorists, during
1988-1993. 1,700 Israelis have been murdered, by Palestinian terrorists,
since the launching of the Oslo-driven disengagements (85,000
in US terms; 28 Twin Towers).
5.
The 1994 disengagement created the largest terrorist base in the
world, led/harbored by PLO graduates of terrorist camps in Yemen,
Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon and Tunisia. It is interpreted, by
terrorists, as a retreat by the role-model of countering terrorism
(Israel), and a reward to the role-model of terrorism (PLO/PA).
It has inspired Islamic terrorism, which threatens pro-US Arab
regimes (Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, etc.).
6.
The 1995 disengagement from Bethlehem and Beit Jallah facilitated
a takeover by Moslem terrorists, which has accelerated the flight
of Christians.
7.
The July 2000 disengagement from Southern Lebanon – following
the loss of 21 soldiers in 17 months – propelled Hizballah to
regional prominence (including in Iraq and Afghanistan), expanded
Hizballah’s role in Gaza and J&S, injured Israel’s posture
of deterrence and adrenalized Palestinian terrorism.
8.
Egypt has inspired Palestinian hate-education and has encouraged
the smuggling of terrorist hardware to Gaza. Its re-engagement
with Gaza could unintentionally produce Israel-Egypt military
confrontations (e.g. during hot pursuit of terrorists), dragging
the US into unnecessary conflicts with both.
9.
President Reagan: "History teaches that wars begin when governments
believe the price of aggression is cheap." Reaganism and
the proposed Disengagement Plan (cut & run from Palestinian
terrorists in Gaza and northern Samaria, while uprooting Jews)
constitute an oxymoron.