Why do Israeli settlements exist at all ?

[Spiffor]

I wonder.
It is obvious the Israeli settlements will be the bone of contention between the Israelis and the Palestinians as long as they'll exist. It is obvious the Israelis will mobilize a disproportionate military force to protect these villages/towns from expectable attacks, while it is obvious the Pals will never cease to loathe said colonies for dividing their territory, taking their water reserves, and show them hated Israeli soldiers in their daily life.

Now, I'm a comprehensive guy. There are plenty of mistakes made by both sides that can be explained. As much as I think the wall is a bad idea, I can understand that the Israelis are trying anything to get more security. Ans as much as I loathe terrorism, I can understand that the Palestinians will try anything to get revenge from their humiliations.

But I really can't get the use of the colonies. Why do they exist at all? In the past, there would have been a point, i.e the wet dream of possessing Eretz Israel, but today? What is the use of these colonies at all? Why do colonies contiue to be built, legally or illegally, with only a token resistance from the Israeli government?

[Spiffor]

In case you think it is a troll, it's not.

I have genuinely no idea of the purpose of the settlements. I really don't know why they exist at all, and why they get built even more...

[Kuciwalker]

That's a good question, and one I hadn't considered before. Why bother building the settlements?

[DanS]

But I really can't get the use of the colonies. Why do they exist at all? In the past, there would have been a point, i.e the wet dream of possessing Eretz Israel, but today? What is the use of these colonies at all? Why do colonies contiue to be built, legally or illegally, with only a token resistance from the Israeli government?

They really serve no purpose nowadays. As Bush said, the Israelis are just building these settlements so that the Palestinians can occupy them in the future. Unless Israel wants to have a demographic fight on their hands which they are likely to lose, they'll have to give up the territory.

As it stands, these settlements are some of the most expensive real estate in the world in terms of how much the Israeli economy has lost to them and how much international resources (geopolitical, etc.) is put into defending them.

[Az]

Point is, those settlements are the direct continuation of the first settlements. 55 years ago, the bone of contention was Tel-Aviv.

The real question is, do the palestinians still want the entire cake. If you ask my opinion of the palestinian public opinion, then I say "Yes".

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Azazel
The real question is, do the palestinians still want the entire cake. If you ask my opinion of the palestinian public opinion, then I say "Yes".

So that justifies you wanting the entire cake as well?

[Kuciwalker]

No, it justifies not giving them any of the cake the Israelis now hold, because it won't stop the aggression.

[Spiffor]

Actually, I don't even think the colonies show you wanting to have the entire cake. They are too few in this regard, and the territorial continuity is insufficient between them. I mean, had you expelled all Palestinians between you border and Ariel, that would have been consisten with an agressively expansionist policy, but you didn't even do that.

Since you are having less and less interactions with Palestinians within your borders, I don't quite get why you bother not being simply defensive about them. It's not like your borders are a daily and very real humiliation to many Palestinians (unlike the colonies which prevent Pals to move, well, which take water resources, which display Israeli soldiers etc.)

[Az]

Lemme see, what's the point of trying to compromise, if the other side doesn't want it? most Israelis support a very good border, allowing 95% of the west bank given to the palestinians, PLUS a road from the gaza strip to the west bank. Our only serious request is withdrawing the demand to bring the refugees and their offspring to Israel, that would destroy Israel and it's society.

We're "Paying a high price" only if we assume that this is what prevents a peace deal from forming. Is it so? I don't think so.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by skywalker
No, it justifies not giving them any of the cake the Israelis now hold, because it won't stop the aggression.

I am pretty sure all Palestinians now know their dream to repel the Jews back to the sea is unrealistic (even if they wish). After all, even the PLO has stopped asking for the destruction of Israel, and acknowledges the existence of the Israeli state.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Spiffor
I am pretty sure all Palestinians now know their dream to repel the Jews back to the sea is unrealistic (even if they wish). After all, even the PLO has stopped asking for the destruction of Israel, and acknowledges the existence of the Israeli state.

Then the question that you asked and I answered doesn't apply in the first place. You asked if them wanting the entire cake justified wanting the entire cake. If the premise of your question is untrue, then of course the answer won't apply.

[Az]

I am pretty sure all Palestinians now know their dream to repel the Jews back to the sea is unrealistic (even if they wish). After all, even the PLO has stopped asking for the destruction of Israel, and acknowledges the existence of the Israeli state.

Well you're wrong. Though the PLO isn't asking for the destruction of Israel, it's hasn't forfeited the "RoR", and therefor, nothing has REALLY changed, i.e. They've magnanimously declared that when they take over, they'll allow us to stay. Gee, thanks!

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

Whose got the cake?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Azazel
[q]
They've magnanimously declared that when they take over, they'll allow us to stay. Gee, thanks!

Is it?

The PLO’s position regarding the issue of borders is simple: the international borders between the states of Palestine and Israel shall be the armistice cease-fire lines in effect on June 4, 1967. Both states shall be entitled to live in peace and security within these recognized borders.
Doesn't look like their official position is to take over Israel to me

[Az]

What about the "RoR"?
Guess what would happen if we add to the population of Israel some 3.5 Million Palestinians? Since birth control and family planning is only something that infidels do, in a matter of a couple of years, palestinians, and the arab citizens of Israel will become the majority, and then what?