Text 26059, 94 rader
Skriven 2009-01-14 08:04:24 av Robert Bashe (2:2448/44)
  Kommentar till text 26023 av Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
Ärende: Middle East
===================
Michiel van der Vlist wrote to Robert Bashe on Tuesday January 13 2009 at
17:09:

["Palastinian corridor"]
RB>> Are you seriously thinking of a bridge over Israeli territory or a
RB>> tunnel beneath it? Who's going to pay for that, and who makes it
RB>> secure in case of political tensions? You?

MV> I was merely pointing out that technology is available that makes it
MV> possible without cutting Israel in half.

Such as? East and West Pakistan were connected by air. That didn't work either.

RB>>>> Actually, I'm not too sure about that. They even have a coastline,
RB>>>> where there could be either a tourist or a shipbuilding industry,

MV>>> Useless as long as Israel maintains a blockade.

RB>> Why should it, if peace prevails?

MV> Same for the tunnel or bridge. If peace prevailed, there would not be
MV> a problem.

I disagree. Peaceful use of the coastline, for example for tourism, is one
thing. A transit corridor directly across Israeli territory between Gaza and
the West Bank directly affects Israel and could present a military threat. Even
under peaceful conditions, such a situation is not really viable (see the
example of West and East Pakistan).

MV> Unfortunately that is not the case. There is no peace and present
MV> developments have assured that there won't be for another 30 years at
MV> least.

"Present developments"? Michiel, don't make me laugh. The present is nothing
but a continuation of what has been going on since 1947. The only difference is
that this time _some_ of the arab world doesn't think Israel is entirely to
blame for the situation. May I remind you that Hamas is widely seen as a
surrogate for the Iranians? And that Iranian hegomony is something most of the
arab neighbors don't find particularly appealing?

As an aside, I've been wondering who got the benefit of all the first-class
Israeli infrastructure and real estate after the Israelis evacuated their
citizens from Gaza? I'd be surprised if the Fatah and now Hamas fatcats didn't
take that nice piece for themselves.

RB>>>> if they'd ever start working instead of trying to kill other
RB>>>> people. And of course, they could become a tax haven. Plenty of
RB>>>> opportunities - but only if making money is more important than
RB>>>> killing people.

MV>>> Israel would never allow it.

RB>> Why not?

MV> Because they don't WANT a Palestininan state with a viable economy.
MV> They condider that a security risk because in a viable economy one can
MV> buy weapons.

And radical Palastinians _can't_ buy weapons now? I think the Israelis aren't
so naive. And a viable economy means prosperity for people, who then have
something to lose and are less likely to start shooting. The best thing that
could happen to Israel would be a "Palestine" where the West Bank now is and a
"Gaza" (both independent countries), with "Palestine" competing with the
Israelis selling citrus fruits to Europe and "Gaza" giving the UAE and Egypt
some competition for tourists looking for sun and warmth.

But...

RB>> Why would anyone in his right mind invest in Gaza or the West Bank?

MV> Indeed. Why invest in project that will with near certainty be bombed
MV> sooner or later by Israel?

All comes back to whether you want to kill people or do business. Only the
Mafia can combine the two, otherwise it's either the one or the other.

Incidently, I wouldn't put a penny into Gaza myself, not because the Israelis
could bomb the place, but because I don't want to finance terrorists - and
that's what Hamas is, like it or not.

RB>> As for tourism, same in green: Stop needling the Israelis, stop
RB>> trying to turn the clock back to 1945 or even 1915, and there's
RB>> plenty of tourists to be had. The Gaza coast is said to be a fine
RB>> place for swimming and diving.

MV> Thanks, but no thanks. I prefer Sylt. Safely out of range of Israli
MV> bombers AND Quassam rockets.

And cold as a witches' tit at the moment. I prefer sand and sun - with NO snow.

Cheers, Bob

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