Kadima’s real test

[IndianaGreen]

Kadima’s real test

Kadima must present courageous plan in order to draw centrist voters

Gadi Taub Published: 04.16.09, 17:55 / Israel Opinion

Now the time has come to draw the bold conclusion that also takes the Qassams into account: If Israel seeks to survive, it must prepare for evacuating Judea and Samaria while defending itself against the possibility of missile attacks on the center of the country. This means gradually evacuating the settlements beyond the security fence route, completing the fence construction, and continuing to deploy the IDF in Judea and Samaria until we find a way to ensure there are no more missiles.

Shifting the burden of proof

First, such move would at once eliminate the strategic threat of bi-nationalism. Secondly, it will convince the Israeli public and the world that we are not interested in a permanent apartheid regime and control over a population deprived of rights. This is not a minor matter. Only on the odd occasion do we make time to notice how far Zionism’s de-legitimization has reached and how deeply it has become identified with settlements and occupation.

We are candidates for becoming the South Africa of our times, and should this happen we shall see the great democracies – including the United States – withdrawing their support for Israel.

Thirdly, the burden of proof will shift to the other side: If the Palestinians want independence, they will have to establish a stable government that is willing and able to guarantee quiet for its Israeli neighbors.

It will not be easy to convince Israel to do this. Perhaps an intermediate phase of an international mandate will be required, backed up by military force, until effective and peace-seeking government institutions are built. However, the moment only the IDF remains on the ground, without citizens and settlements, the continuation of the occupation will be a Palestinian choice rather than an Israeli choice.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3702183,00.html