Israel: Netanyahu Is Going To Build A Wall Around Gaza And Make The World Pay For It
Israel is planning to build an underground wall to seal off Gaza from the rest of the county in order to stop any and all attacks from Hamas, according to Israeli news source Yedioth Ahronoth.
An Israeli defense official gave details on the problems between both peoples and the reason for such a wall.
“We have no desire to rule over Gaza, and as long as there is no alternative government there, we have no business being there, but on the other hand we cannot conduct a constant war of attrition. Therefore the next conflict has to be the last conflict in terms of Hamas ruling the Strip. We are not looking for an adventure, but a confrontation with Hamas is inevitable. It is an ongoing and growing threat and we need to be prepared for it.”
The article also refers to a recent speech made by the Secretary General of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, for the Arab people to remain steadfast and to resist Israel. The article also reports that Nasrallah encouraged Arabs to take over Israeli cities and hold them for at least a few days.
“All the people of the Arab and Islamic world must strike the hand of those who make wars and impose them and insist on continuing them, who foil any form of political solution in Syria or in Yemen or Bahrain or Libya, and who support Takfiri and terrorist movements.”
Much like the Israeli defense official, Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to the threat.
“We’re going to take the necessary steps to attack the attackers (against Israel) and defend those who need to be defended”
In a recent airing of The McLaughlin Group, an American political talk show which has been airing since 1982, even more was added to the news of the Prime Minister’s efforts to defend Israel. They brought up his recent travels to Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda where he discussed a trade in arms and to receive counter-terrorism advice.
In 2012, after much effort, the Palestinian leadership was upgraded from non-member observer entity to a non-member observer state, which gave them more leverage which enraged Israel.
There has been much conflict at the UN over Israel building settlements and in December 2015, a second attempt was made by the UN General Assembly which adopted a resolution against Israel’s efforts against Palestinians with regard to building settlements and taking their resources.
Ltr on #Israel's illegal policies & measures in Occupied #Palestine @secgen @UN_PGA @USUN https://t.co/FYw6SfVuLo pic.twitter.com/74t0mWVveH
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) December 18, 2015
It’s being reported that Netanyahu is also increasing funding to continue expanding settlements, seizing more Palestinian territory in the West bank to build on, which is considered illegal under international law.
The Ma’an News Agency covered the passing of the resolution effort which demanded the recognition of Palestinian sovereignty over natural resources under Israeli occupation.
The pundits on McLaughlin Group all agreed that Netanyahu was never going to stop building settlements or submit to a two-state solution, which paralleled another report over international donors who are currently working with both Israel and Palestinian leaders to build a $5 billion island off the coast of Gaza, where they will put an airport, hotel, and seaport to attract economic investment for the Palestinians.
This could, in fact, be considered the fourth line of defense as Netanyahu feels that an island would relieve them of the pressure of being a transfer point for goods and trade into Gaza.
Palestinians have resorted to smuggling through underground tunnels, which goes back to why Israel feels the need to build the mentioned underground wall that would also be taller on the surface.
Originally, a report on this was published by The Guardian in 2011, but the idea is being taken more seriously now and talks about this have been underway since February.
The article quotes a spokesman from the Israeli government about what the Island will have.
“The island would be three square miles and it would be linked to Gaza with a three mile-long bridge which could take vehicles, trains and pipes for oil and gas. The island would have hotels, tourist areas, a marina with yachts and an airport and a seaport.”
The McLaughlin Group panel did not talk as if this were an absurd idea. They considered the possibility that an island off of Gaza would free them up to receive global support from those who want to contribute to the Palestinians and it would also allow Israel to deflect the conversation from a two-state solution or the chance of peace talks.
[Image by Marc Israel Sellem, Jerusalem Post/AP Photo]
