Israeli expulsion of Palestinians from West Bank to Gaza

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Q&A: Israeli expulsion of Palestinians
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/3190426.stm
Published: 2003/10/14 13:25:45 GMT

Barbara Plett, the BBC's Middle East Correspondent, explains the implications of the Israeli military ordering the expulsion of 15 Palestinian detainees from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip .

What does this mean for the detainees?

Right now the detainees are in a detention centre at the edge of the Gaza Strip. They have 48 hours to appeal against the army's decision. If their appeal is rejected, they will be sent into Gaza and not allowed to leave, it's not clear if that's for a specified time period or indefinitely. The 15 are administrative detainees , which means they were arrested and held in Israeli prisons without charge or trial.

What are the precedents for this expulsion?

In September 2002 Israel forcibly moved two relatives of a suicide bomber to Gaza, they were accused of assisting him. In May last year Israel also expelled 26 Palestinian militants to Gaza to end a standoff at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. About a dozen Palestinians gunmen were also deported to European countries as part of the same deal. In 1992 Israel deported around 400 Hamas men to Lebanon in response to a series of attacks against Israeli soldiers

Why are the Israelis doing it now?

After the suicide bombing in Haifa ten days ago that killed 20 people, reports said Israel might renew its internal expulsion policy, probably because it's looking for new or different ways to respond to the attacks. Human Rights Groups say such forcible transfers violate international law, but Israel argues it has the right to defuse possible security threats

What are the implications for the peace process?

No implications as far as I can see, there's not really a working peace process in place, the formal avenue -- a peace plan known as the Roadmap -- is stalled

Is this the writing on the wall for Arafat - is he next?

Arafat is a separate and standing issue. The Israeli cabinet has taken a decision in principle to expel him, but it's widely believed such an action could have far reaching consequences for the region and Israel is not expected to move against Mr. Arafat unless it gets a green, or at least an amber, light from the Americans, something that hasn't happened.

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Human Rights Groups say such forcible transfers violate international law, but Israel argues it has the right to defuse possible security threats

What do the Human Rights groups say about terrorism and the right to defend citizens from terrorism? Does that violate international law.

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Human rights groups routinely dennounce the terrorism. They simply don't think that terrorism justifies anything Israel wants to do.

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Someone should plant a bomb where they live and you will see how quickly there is a mind change. I guess it a case of "nimby"

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No, it's simply a case of Israel commiting acts that are bad enough to overcome the natural sympathy one has for those in such a plight. It's the recognition that Isreal is it's own worse enemy and that Isreal passes up few chances they have to deepen the conflict. It's recognition that Isreal stealing other people's land is an act of war.

The "walk a mile in theor shoes" has dual application for this situation.

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Craven
Craven, I agree with your statement, "It's the recognition that Isreal is it's own worse enemy and that Isreal passes up few chances they have to deepen the conflict."

My patience wore out long ago when the Israelies murdered Rabin and elected Sharon.

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It is completely within Israel's power to end this cycle of violence. They will start by stopping clearly illegal and execessive killing including assassinations and punitive attacks and getting rid of the settlements (which have absolutely nothing to do with security).

If they offered the Palestinians hope of a better life, support for violence would cease.

Of course it is complelely with the Palestinian's power to end this cycle of violence. They could end violence and work to address their plight. A non-violent movement of Palestinian would create an unbearable pressure for Israel to act civily.

Sigh, Both sides are continuing with their escalating cycles of barbarism.

It is a point of fact that immoral acts of others does not excuse you own immoral acts. The children that get in the way while the Israelis and Palestinians killing each other don't have anything to do with this inane conflict.

It saddens me that such barbarism has a sympathetic voice here.

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Israeli expulsion of Palestinians from West Bank to Gaza

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