re: #580 BryanS

Well, the violence definitely seems to come from the Muslim side of the religion problem in the middle east. But the push to build settlements has more to do with claims of divine right than security. Very few in Israel would deny that. In fact divine right is often entirely the justification given for many settlements.

That is factually incorrect. Settlement building has to do with one thing only- economics.

Housing costs in the territories are lower than in Israel proper. The settlement program began in earnest when it became clear neither the Palestinians or Arab world actually wanted to make peace with Israel.

Have you ever wondered why there were never any demonstrations against the building of the now infamous settlements? Can you imagine the PR value of a hundred little school girls, sitting in the road and blocking a bulldozer? The reason for the marked lack of protest against settlement building in the West Bank is because PA- and now Hamas ministers own the construction companies that build those settlements. It’s been going on for years and only recently, has the matter been discussed in the Arab press. Sadly, ‘Cementgate,’ as the story was called is no longer on the Arab press agenda. Israeli settlements are being built by Palestinian companies, owned by PA ministers and big wigs. That is another reason the Palestinian at the top are in no rush for a peace deal- the Israelis pay. Arab nations that promise money do not. Besides, other Arabs might make unreasonable demands- such as accountability and transparency.

Further, when it comes to money and aid to the Palestinians, the words of Charles De Gaulle come to mind- “We shall stun them with our ingratitude”.

Time for everyone to deal with reality.