Submitted by S.G., Nov 21, 2006 17:54

After the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza I'm surprised that you are advocating disengagement from the West Bank. Have you read the Palestinian media? The Palestinians viewed the withdrawal as a retreat and as a victory to be capitalized on by the Palestinian "liberators". What is lost in your assessment is that Terror has won in Gaza. The withdrawal legitimizes every suicide bomber and targeted attack on civilians in Israel. Why should they sit down and negotiate with a Jew when violence is a stronger advocate?

Don't forget that the stated goal of the Palestinian governing authority, and every other militant not elected to office, is to destroy Israel. You can forget about crime enforcement, providing electricity, or educating the children to view Israelis & Americans as anything but criminals; Gaza is in a state of anarchy and the West Bank will be no better. When Israel left Gaza they left a power vacuum that was filled by a group of corrupt politicians & militants who have no interest in improving the lives of their people. If Israel withdraws from the West Bank you can expect more of the same. Why should the Palestinians view a withdrawal as a peace gesture under their current regime? They did not unilaterally reciprocate peace in Gaza. Where are the peace gestures on the Palestinian side?

Let the Palestinian governing authorities establish law and order, renounce violence, recognize the existence of Israel and you may begin to offer concessions. Unilateral withdrawals only empower the militant elements of the Palestinian people.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.