This morning, Wednesday, January 26, 2011, Arabs conducted plantings at Netzer in Gush Etzion, in the presence of the Palestinian Tourism Minister. Dozens of vehicles of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian police were in the area. The impression gained was that half of the Palestinian Authority had moved from Ramallah to Gush Etzion. Additionally, scores of Arabs arrived in busses and private vehicles, accompanied by international activists who entered the area to plant. When we asked for explanations from IDF people in the field, we were told that they are "planting on Palestinian land. What's the problem?"
And so, the problem is a severe one:
1) This is a clear retreat from our sovereignty on the ground. Entry permits in Israeli-controlled area C for the Palestinian Tourism Minister and Palestinian Authority officials undermine our sovereignty. This also gives strong support to the Arabs who take control of state lands.
2) "Palestinian lands" is a bluff, that the IDF, headed by Barak, is only too happy to adopt. The veteran residents of Gush Etzion know that the area of Netzer, the hills between Alon Shvut and Elazar, have all been state lands since 1967, except for two small plots. The Arabs took control of the lands, and under the aegis of the draconic law that states that after the Arabs work the lands for a number of years, they become theirs.
3) The spineless Defense Minister, who is also lacking independence, is extremely dangerous on the ground. We thought that we had freed ourselves of the extreme leftist wing of his party, but events on the ground prove that Barak is continuing the moves to grant independence to the Palestinians throughout all Judea and Samaria. The Prime Minister knows with whom he entered into the marriage, and is not innocent as regards Barak's actions.
At 12:00 noon the IDF removed the Arabs from the area. During the time of the Arabs' event, Jews were not permitted to enter.
The soldiers, the Border Patrol, and the junior officers in the field were furious, and realized that this is a national disgrace and humiliation. Thank G-d, the people is healthy. It's a pity that the country's leaders do not draw strength from the people's spirit, and continue to plan further capitulations.
And in a direct connection to the above, we thank Al Jazeera for exposing what was done in the back rooms, about what our leaders are conducting give-and-take negotiations, actually, just giving.
Residents of Gush Etzion, Efrat, Maaleh Edumim, Ariel - wake up! The Arabs haven't heard of 'settlement blocs"!
Today, it was shown, more than ever, that the struggle for our land is actually being waged on the ground.
Accordingly, this Friday we will continue with plantings at Netzer at 9:00 a.m. The public is invited.Come one, come all.
Bus transportation:
from Kiryat Arba-Hebron at 8:30 a.m., Gush Etzion junction (tzomet ha-Gush) 8:45 a.m., Efrat southern junction, on route 60, 8:50 a.m., Elazar gate 8:55 a.m.
Women for Israel's Tomorrow (Women in Green) - Netzer Group - Judea Action Committees
www.womeningreen.org
for details: Yehudit Katsover - 050-7161818, Nadia Matar - 050-5500834
