1. It is absolutely gut-wrenching to see the footage and images of people being evacuated from their homes. It is made worse when seeing the footage of PLO Arabs celebrating. But what should we expect from people who pass out candies after a terror attack on Israelis?
2. I have to praise the way the police and IDF have been handling the expulsions to date. From what I have seen on television and online, they have showed sensitivity to the plight of the people being expelled from their homes. I have seen footage of them joining prayer services with the residents, sharing tears with them, and generally behaving in a respectful manner towards them.
3. I have to also praise the conduct of the residents so far – on the whole. They have utilized their right to passive resistance, but have, in the vast majority of cases, not resorted to violence. They seem to understand that the police and IDF are only doing their job. I cannot even imagine the heartbreak they are going through right now.
4. The mainstream media are playing up the fact that the evacuations are going quicker than planned, and with less violence than anticipated. The media’s expectations were based on the unfair campaign of “settler” demonization before the disengagement began. I have been positing for weeks that the residents of these communities, the vast majority of whom are decent, law-abiding people, have been getting a “bum rap.” So color me unsurprised.
5. It would be remiss of me not to mention the very serious incidences that did occur today.
Firstly, a Jewish terrorist killed 4 PLO Arabs. Like in the case of the other terrorist attack a few weeks ago, the Israeli government and public have come out quickly to condemn the attack. Note the Israeli news sites – they are all referring to him as a terrorist. Which is more than can be said for the mainstream and Arab media after PLO Arab terrorists murder innocent Israelis.
In a comical display of bizzaroism:
The Palestinian Authority issued a statement in response blaming Israel for not doing enough to prevent the attack.
What’s more, Abbas is urging restraint – from the terrorists!
According to Channel 10, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has contacted Hamas leaders and urged them not to respond to the attack.
The perversity of this situation should not be lost on anyone.
In addition, the mainstream media have repeatedly shown images of a Jewish man holding his baby out of the window, threatening to drop it if he and his family were evacuated. I do not think he followed through on his threat, but the Israeli media dubbed him the Israeli “Michael Jackson” – for obvious reasons.
In other incidences, an Israeli woman stabbed a female soldier with a syringe. Another set herself on fire.
(I have no qualms about pointing out these incidences. They are isolated incidences, and indicative of a dangerous mindset that goes against Jewish law).
6. The PLO Arab terrorists are responding predictably to the withdrawal – firstly with words:
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal declared on Wednesday that the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank marked the beginning of the end of the Zionist dream in Palestine.Mashaal was speaking to reporters in Beirut and his remarks were broadcast live by a number of major Arab TV satellite stations.Dubbing the pullout a “defeat in the face of Palestinian resistance and a significant step with historic dimensions,” Mashaal said that as far as Hamas was concerned, the disengagement marked the beginning of the death of the Zionist dream.“The resistance and the steadfastness of or people forced the Zionists to withdraw,” he boasted. “The resistance is capable of ending the Israeli occupation and achieving all our rights. The armed struggle is the only strategy that Hamas possesses.”
And with more terrorism:
Security forces have uncovered a plot masterminded by the Islamic Jihad to attack evacuating forces or Gaza settlers during disengagement, details released for publication on Wednesday revealed.A 10-kg explosive-belt was found hidden in a solar water heater at the Muwassi Palestinian enclave in Gush Katif Wednesday morning.
