The Curse of Jerusalem? (3)

Ariel Sharon has sinister designs on Palestinian land including East Jerusalem. Ho hum! So, what's new?

In a private function attended by American Jewish doctors, Sharon talked about the non-negotiability of Jerusalem and the settlement blocs of Ariel, Ma'aleh Edumim, and Gush Etzion.

The Palestinians also claim East Jerusalem as their future capital, so a Sharon’s stand of non-negotiability on the city will mean there will be no end to the current conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. The Israelis have been quietly buying up land around Jerusalem so as to present a Jewish ownership fait accompli.

But what is more sinister than the avowed annexation of East Jerusalem has been a key word uttered by Sharon during that function. In relation to the 3 settlement blocs Sharon said that “they will remain eternally under Israeli sovereignty within a contiguous territory."

Those 3 blocs so happen to be right in the middle of Palestinian land, so “contiguity” means the borders of the new Greater Israel will expand outwards to embrace all the 3 blocs plus East Jerusalem. In short, Sharon wants to swallow up hugh chunks of Palestinian real estate - or what’s left of it.

And he has stated those are non-negotiable, meaning the Palestinians can bugger off if they don't like it.

Unless Israel withdraws to the
4 June 1967 borders, there will be no lasting peace. Mahmoud Abbas may be genuine or pretending to make peace with Israel - if the former, unless Israel withdraws to the 4 June 1967 borders he won’t last long, and if the later, the future for Israel and Israelis is unfortunately clear.

Related posts:
The Curse of Jerusalem?
The Curse of Jerusalem? (2)