The strategic significance of Jewish settlements

The bloody scene also made many Israelis doubt the reality. Is it really necessary to take such an extreme approach? Some Israelis said, "From a practical and humanitarian point of view, we should consider establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank. Life is more important than land. In order to save lives, we should learn to give up. " However, the strategic significance of settlements cannot be abandoned. The Israeli pacifist organization Peace Now accused the government of using people's religious feelings to achieve security and strategic goals. The organization has been paying close attention to the development trend of settlements and finding the location of settlements is of great strategic significance. In 200 1 year, Israel built 34 new settlements in the West Bank, all of which were located on the main roads or the commanding heights on the hilltops. The Israeli government has also built roads between settlements to connect them and separate Palestinians.

At present, there are 65,438+026 settlements in the West Bank and 65,438+09 settlements in Gaza, just like the suburbs of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Settlers can enjoy many benefits, such as free education for their children, low personal income tax and much cheaper house prices than Israeli cities. The expansion of Jewish settlements is closely related to the current Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, who is one of the planners of Israeli settlement policy. As early as the 1970s, when he was Minister of Agriculture, he actively promoted the development of settlements in the West Bank. Sharon said in his autobiography "The Fighter": "Judea and Samaria are the birthplaces of Jews and the flesh and blood that make up the country. We insist on the right of Jews to settle here. " On the map, the west bank is not big, but in people's minds, it is huge and charming. Arafat made it clear: "When Israel plunders land and builds settlements, peace is impossible." Sharon's attitude is also very clear: "Before I leave office, don't fantasize about canceling settlements."