Thanks Sheri, I appreciate your striving for objectivity and understanding. I keep wondering about the possibility of Judea and Samaria becoming a threat to Israel if Hamas is liberated from Gaza.
As I read the news from different Telegram groups IDF is quite busy now in these regions. Hamas & Iran ARE very active there. Thanks for writing Sheri 🙏🏽🇮🇱🙏🏽🇮🇱
Eeeeer... Generally speaking, you are right of cause. The army and police should be the ones to keep the order. But what if they don't? Should Jews of Judea and Samaria live with understanding that a drive to work may every day become their last?
There are only 3 solutions:
1) totally separate roads for Jews and Arabs; high and guarded walls around every Jewish farm and village.
It was tried and it is still the solution used in the most problematic areas. But our judicial system is constantly working on diminishing the afford by forcing Israel to allow Arabs of PA the use of every road. The former military commander of the region, infamous general Fuks, was always more worried about the well-being of Arabs than the safety of Jews. He removed the block posts, he ordered his subordinate to largely ignore the reports of Jews, he treated every Jew in Judea and Samaria and "potential thread" while ignoring the real thread from Arabs. We have yet to see how the new commander will conduct, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a real change;
2) A military post every kilometer of every road, with patrols scanning the territory day and night. Arrest of every stone-thrower, even these who are 8 years old, charges of death assault against every single one (or his parents if he is a minor)
It would have effectively stopped the terror but it is totally unrealistic - we need an army 5 times larger for that, and a way to shut up International Community (tm) that will undoubtedly go berserk at tens of arrests every day;
3) The third solution - and the only realistic one - is fear.
Israel is terrified of the term "collective punishment" - but it is the only thing that works in our case. It actually worked for years, until our judicial system (sorry I mention it again, but they a the root cause) forbade it, following the general liberal trends.
We can't catch every boy throwing a stone at a vehicle, every youth igniting a firebomb or every man firing a rifle in the direction of Jewish farm. There are too many, it is impossible goal. But we can instill the understanding that if a stone is thrown at a Jewish car in a village - all of the village would suffer. It should be the army, not citizens, who raid the village, at night and with dogs. Search every house, detain everyone found in possession of a weapon or terror-related materials. But if the army is reluctant to do it - citizens have no choice but to do what they can themselves.
It is harsh. But it is the reality of the Middle East - you can't defend from murder cult wearing white glows
There shouldn't. But they don't. Citizens living in Judea and Samaria have to do something today - and every day - to be able to continue to live their lives
Thanks Sheri, I appreciate your striving for objectivity and understanding. I keep wondering about the possibility of Judea and Samaria becoming a threat to Israel if Hamas is liberated from Gaza.
I meant to say eliminated.
Even when Hamas will be eliminated from Gaza, they will still be in Judea-Samaria and will have to be dealt with there.
Yes, will be, not if. 👍
As I read the news from different Telegram groups IDF is quite busy now in these regions. Hamas & Iran ARE very active there. Thanks for writing Sheri 🙏🏽🇮🇱🙏🏽🇮🇱
This is great work, great investigative journalism. Remember how they work, here is an example, I don't know if it's been generalized yet.
https://substack.com/@reubensalsa/note/c-65218913?r=3u0vhn
Thanks indeed, a great note by Reuben Salsa 🙏🏽
Eeeeer... Generally speaking, you are right of cause. The army and police should be the ones to keep the order. But what if they don't? Should Jews of Judea and Samaria live with understanding that a drive to work may every day become their last?
There are only 3 solutions:
1) totally separate roads for Jews and Arabs; high and guarded walls around every Jewish farm and village.
It was tried and it is still the solution used in the most problematic areas. But our judicial system is constantly working on diminishing the afford by forcing Israel to allow Arabs of PA the use of every road. The former military commander of the region, infamous general Fuks, was always more worried about the well-being of Arabs than the safety of Jews. He removed the block posts, he ordered his subordinate to largely ignore the reports of Jews, he treated every Jew in Judea and Samaria and "potential thread" while ignoring the real thread from Arabs. We have yet to see how the new commander will conduct, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a real change;
2) A military post every kilometer of every road, with patrols scanning the territory day and night. Arrest of every stone-thrower, even these who are 8 years old, charges of death assault against every single one (or his parents if he is a minor)
It would have effectively stopped the terror but it is totally unrealistic - we need an army 5 times larger for that, and a way to shut up International Community (tm) that will undoubtedly go berserk at tens of arrests every day;
3) The third solution - and the only realistic one - is fear.
Israel is terrified of the term "collective punishment" - but it is the only thing that works in our case. It actually worked for years, until our judicial system (sorry I mention it again, but they a the root cause) forbade it, following the general liberal trends.
We can't catch every boy throwing a stone at a vehicle, every youth igniting a firebomb or every man firing a rifle in the direction of Jewish farm. There are too many, it is impossible goal. But we can instill the understanding that if a stone is thrown at a Jewish car in a village - all of the village would suffer. It should be the army, not citizens, who raid the village, at night and with dogs. Search every house, detain everyone found in possession of a weapon or terror-related materials. But if the army is reluctant to do it - citizens have no choice but to do what they can themselves.
It is harsh. But it is the reality of the Middle East - you can't defend from murder cult wearing white glows
There should be no "if they don't."
There shouldn't. But they don't. Citizens living in Judea and Samaria have to do something today - and every day - to be able to continue to live their lives