(The Hill) Steve Israel - In August 2005, I stood at the border of Israel and Gaza, as a member of Congress, to witness the unilateral withdrawal of Israeli citizens and troops from the territory. The Israeli government had made a highly risky bet: If it ended 38 years of Israeli occupation of Gaza (which Israel had won after it was attacked by Egypt in 1967), the Palestinians would demonstrate an ability to live peacefully, stably, next to Israel. I can't think of another country in history that has sent in its own armies to forcibly evict its own people from disputed territory as Israel did. The bet made by Israel failed. A failed state was born. On Sept. 23, 2005, Palestinian leaders launched their first barrage of rockets against Israel. Israel withdrew unilaterally from Gaza, hoping for peace. It was repaid in the terror and tears we witness at this very hour. The writer, a former U.S. Congressman (2001-2017), is director of the Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at Cornell University.
2023-10-09 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive