Who's the best?

[I am David]

With the upcoming Israeli elections, I thought it would be interesting to see who everyone here thinks would be the best Prime Minister for Israel.

Personally I think Netanyahu is the best of the three "main" candidates, that is Sharon, Mitzna, and Netanyahu. His view is extremely right, and I like the right. But more importantly, he will take a heavy hand against the Palestinian terrorists, a heaver hand than even Sharon, possibly. I think that activly and offensivly fighting terror instead of only retaliating once it happens is the way to go, that way you have more of a chance of destroying more terror per day than is created, and I believe this is what Netanyahu will do. Am I correct in this assumption? However, Mitzna is pretty much the stark opposite of Netanyahu, not only wanting to activly negotiate with Arafat, but also is leaning towards a possible withdrawel from the territories in the recent future. This may seem to be the wrong thing to do if Palestinian terrorists will not, as expected, stop terrorizing Israel even when it is no longer in the West Bank and Gaza. But what if they will? In this case Mitzna is the best choice, but is it very likely that the Palestinians will stop terror? No.

Posted in Arab-Israeli conflict because it relates directly to Arab-Israeli conflict.

[istt]

Mitzna. He may bring some civility back to the table.

Netanyahu reminds one of the Turkish prison warden in Midnight Express.

Sharon reminds one of the Turkish prison warden (a few years later) in Midnight Express.

[I am David]

Yeah, it depends I'd say. If the Palestinians really are ready to negotiate, Mitzna is the guy, if not Netanyahu is the one. Sharon just seems to indicisiv for me. I don't know that much, but just seems like that.

[victot]

good question. from what i know, i very much like Mitzna's vision, but i think it would be irresponsible for him to withdraw settlers without coming to any kind of understanding with the palestinians... it didn't work in lebanon, i don't know if i trust the idea of israel just leaving like that again...

im VERY afraid of the idea of netenyahu being leader. i don't think i trust the guy.

i dunno what to think of sharon. maybe it's best if he isn't in power anymore, but i don't know who to root for. the only thing i know, is i don't want netenyahu...

[Mil]

The funny thing is the louder/radicalized a PM is the quiter/moderate he is in office.

It doesn't really matter who comes to power Netaniahu, Sharon, or Mitzna peace is not really an Israeli decision anyways.

[MGB8]

Sharon for actions, Netanyahu for "vision"

Israel needs to retrench its position concerning the establishment of "Palestine." The entire idea of land for peace was HIGHLY debated and questioned, and did not have majority support when it was instituted in the Oslo Accords. But hope won the day there. We now know our hope was merely wishful dreaming.

We need to return clarity to this conflict for what it really is - it is not about independence or sovereignty for "Palestinians" but about 1948, 1967, and the Arab desire to see certain lands ONLY in Arab hands.

That is not to say that there aren't real issues about how Israel needs to deal with the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel must have a clear policy towards both.

IMO, the best policy would be announcing the Official Annexation of the West Bank, and an official withdrawal from Gaza, and a recognition of Gaza as foreign national territory.

In terms of the West Bank, Israel should offer the Arabs living there full citizenship IF they are willing to swear on the Qu'ran their loyalty to the idea of Israel as the jewish Homeland, and their support of the nation. If not, they should be allowed to immigrate to Gaza or whereever else they choose, with above-market value being given in return for any land not sold privately.

Also, terrorism, including membership in "political wings" of terrorist groups, needs to be outlawed and punished by Jail (a major player or threat who needs to be contatained) or deportation (a more minor player who is simply supportive of the goal.)

In terms of Gaza, tell the Arab nations that basically "its your problem" BUT that any offensvie military actions from Gaza would be treated as an act of war.

Better yet, find a way to get a international monitoring group to police them, because they have shown that they are not willing to do so themselves.

[I am David]

Offer the Arabs in WB citizenship? Are you INSANE ?
That would mean Israel would cease to be a Jewish state, because of the Arab majority with full voting rights. At that point you could say goodbye to Jews forever.

There are other ways to acheive peace, and besides if Arabs could be citizens what's stopping the Hamas or whatnot from hiring people to terrorize Israel with mega-terror attacks that they could so easily perpetrate with citizenship? That is absolutly insane, no offense.

[MGB8]

AS I understand it, and I could be wrong, the majority of the 2.5-3 mil arabs in the territories are in fact in Gaza.

Moreover, my guess would be that many of the WB Arabs would want to move to Arab states, when they finally realized that the WB would never be ruled by Arabs.

Arabs with ties to terrorist organizations would be disqualified, so youd get rid of a large segment there.

And, remember, there would be an oath of loyalt to Israel as the JEWISH homeland, probably followed by irriversible constitutional changes making sure that this is in effect.

Originally posted by I am David
Offer the Arabs in WB citizenship? Are you INSANE ?
That would mean Israel would cease to be a Jewish state, because of the Arab majority with full voting rights. At that point you could say goodbye to Jews forever.

There are other ways to acheive peace, and besides if Arabs could be citizens what's stopping the Hamas or whatnot from hiring people to terrorize Israel with mega-terror attacks that they could so easily perpetrate with citizenship? That is absolutly insane, no offense.

[I am David]

It's still no good I say. Israel is in danger of becoming non Jewish even without additional Arabs, and Arabs would contribute absolutly nothing to Israel's high tech economy or anything in general.

[danholo]

Aren't there 1 million Palestinians in Gaza and 2 million in the West Bank?

[Mediocrates]

Yeah. Anyway regardless of ethnicity, ANY country will collapse when subjected to the demographics of the West Bank and Gaza. Nearly 50% of the population is under the age of 14 and the trend is only accelerating. If we use common defintions used by the UN and other NGO's, the Palestinians (and most of the arab world) are far into the danger zone for unsustainable population growth. Current trends puts the Palestinian population at nearly 7 million by 2020 and possibly 10+ million by 2030. At this point the entire society comes to a halt. Too many mouths to feed, too few working adults.

[MGB8]

Originally posted by danholo
Aren't there 1 million Palestinians in Gaza and 2 million in the West Bank?

Urg, well, that makes the plan more difficult. There are always local autonomy provisions...but this brings us closer (although not near) the accusations of appartheid.

I agree that taking on additional Arabs is a risky proposition...but, if we FIRST fight and WIN the war on terror, and force those who support terror to disqualify themselves from potential citizenship, and offer atractive alternatives to those who would willingly leave...we could settle this issue without putting the nation at risk.

Besides, with such a high young population, and very male, too, most of the kids will end up in jail, anyway, and then likely deported. I know that's cynical, but its the way it is.

[Mediocrates]

You don't get it - it's a catastrophe no matter what flag they fly. Arab population growth is unsustainably high In fact you only need to project out to 2020 to see a society overwhelmed with 60-70% under the age of 14, no schools, no hospitals, no jobs. Picture subsaharan Africa w/o the mosquitos.

[I am David]

Oh, not to mention that Israel would cease to be a Jewish state and Jews would disapear forever in a few genereations (or more).

[Moskal']

It is our duty to build schools and hospitals for them. As you know, population growth depends on social conditions (esp. fem. education level), wich are appaling. We have no time to change those, as the catastrophe is drawing closer. Giving up Gaza (to Egypt?) might be useful, as a large part of arab population lives in a strategically unimportant position, but in Judaea and Samaria rapid and decisive (social) measures must be taken. Such as an israeli propaganda campaign amongst arab population,forced education etc. It is clear that this is impossible as long the autonomy government, hostile to the centre, is not stripped of it's powers.

Originally posted by Mediocrates
You don't get it - it's a catastrophe no matter what flag they fly. Arab population growth is unsustainably high In fact you only need to project out to 2020 to see a society overwhelmed with 60-70% under the age of 14, no schools, no hospitals, no jobs. Picture subsaharan Africa w/o the mosquitos.