Gaza pullout: Arlene Kushner

The BBC News website and BBCArabic.com spoke to four Israelis and four Palestinians for their thoughts on the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Hakeem: Govt worker, Gaza "At the moment we live in a prison, but soon we will be free" Abdullah: Accountant, Gaza "Further agreements to improve conditions in Gaza must follow" Ashraf Accountant, W Bank "It is a trick to mislead domestic and world opinion" Lama: Aid worker, Gaza city "The Gaza pullout will make no difference - it's a unilateral step"

Ayelet: Lecturer, Haifa "I'm happy about the withdrawal - it will bring peace of mind" Shimon: 58, Pharmacist "I think it's a good move but I do have reservations" Arlene: Writer, Jerusalem "The withdrawal gives the upper hand to terrorists" Anita: Farmer, Gush Khatif "The evacuation is totally immoral and unethical"

Arlene Kushner, Writer, Jerusalem

I think the withdrawal gives the upper hand to terrorists, it gives them a sense of victory, it motivates them to terrorist acts and gaining more territory.

It also makes it harder to negotiate with the moderates and puts them in a weaker position. The terrorists will say "we drove them out" and the message is that we gave Gaza away for nothing.

If there was a genuine peace agreement and the government was to pull out in return for something, maybe it would be different.

But under these conditions, it's encouraging the wrong forces. It's giving away a bargaining chip and getting nothing in return.

Until the Palestinian Authority has renounced terror and dismantled the terrorist infrastructures, there is no-one to negotiate with.

I'm concerned that this is the beginning of a slippery slope

I read [US President] Bush's words that "this will lead to the development of democracy" and I'm shocked. This will not lead to democracy, it strengthens the terrorists.

I'm concerned that this is the beginning of a slippery slope and that now we've set a precedent.

My family and friends share exactly the same sentiments - sadness, anger, distress and worry.

We fear for the wellbeing of Israel without a doubt. It cannot do us good for the Western world - it's not good for the troops in Iraq, it's like a domino effect. This is not our problem, it's the world's problem.

Sharon is behaving in an undemocratic fashion, working in a 180 degree reverse from the policies he was elected on. There is great anger that he has not conducted himself in an open and democratic manner.

It's also not been made clear what benefit there is. My evidence is that there has not been enough preparation and there is nowhere to put some of these people [settlers], who have suffered tremendous trauma.

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The following comments reflect the balance of views received:

I agree with Arlene Kushner. This will only serve as a catalyst for future attacks not only by Palestinians, but by the rest of the Islamic terrorists of the world. I believe that Israel took this unilateral step for the world - to show the rest world that it took a big step for peace and that the ball is on the Palestinian court. The Palestinians, like so many times in the past, will continue with their attacks. This will show the true face of where the wanted to establish a Palestinian state: a state in place of Israel, not by Israel.
Jon, USA

How could these Israeli settlers actually be so blind? Living in a territory full of Palestinians you would think that they would actually get up and look at the suffering around their beloved settlements. But no all they do is go back and complain about injustices in the past. All feel pity for the Jews and their misfortunes in the past. But this is a new century and the Israelis must learn to share the Holy Land with others. Sharing leads to peace.
Sanjar Taromi, Tiburon, United States

I completely agree with Ms Kushner. The tragedy of the Palestinian people has to lay at the feet of those who encouraged them to oppose the democratic state of Israel. Israel took control of the Gaza strip after a war was launched.
Marta Wassertzug, Washington DC, USA

I completely disagree with Ms Kushner. One must ask what is terrorism? It's not something just shadowy, religiously affiliated organizations like Hamas does. What Israel did by building settlements for 8,000 people in the middle of one million Palestinians, who had to compromise their lives with checkpoints, curfews and other restrictions for the 8,000 Israelis is unjust, unfair, and immoral for a people who has a history of suffering or restrictions. It has retarded academic and economic improvement for the Palestinians for generations and disrupted their lives in multiple other ways. Moving out of Gaza was an economic decision by Israel since it is far more expensive and costly in terms of tax dollars, lives, and lost credibility in the eyes of the World and most importantly of ordinary Palestinians who would otherwise rally against terrorists amongst themselves.
SV, NYC, USA

Many Israelis are commenting on the fact that they are getting nothing in return from the Palestinians for the Gaza pullout. Perhaps the citizens of Israel should pause and remember how violently their army they took control of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem in 1967.
David, Brisbane, Australia.

I completely agree with Arlene Kushner. This move by the Sharon government will only lead to more attacks in Israel and internationally. Unfortunately many people in the West are brainwashed to think that by appeasing terror it is only way to stop it. It is quiet the opposite - by appeasing terror, one is encouraging it since it shows that it works.
Greg Shpilman, Baltimore US

Already Arabic comments hinge on the premise that "this is not enough," and "this is nothing but a trick". Hamas immediately held the most public meeting it has ever held, as if to bask in the limelight of its victory. I share Ms Kushner's fears that this is a slippery slope. The average Arabic attitude today, seems little different than it was in 1948, when the battle-cry of the invasion of Israel by her Arabic neighbours was "Drive them into the sea!" It seems they will never be satisfied until they achieve this goal.
Seamus Decker, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

I'm staggered and amazed by the response of some Israelis to the pullout, as if a great injustice has been committed. As if they are the victims. The annexation of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967 has brought unmitigated suffering on the Palestinian people. Many have found themselves refugees; many have been unable to work, unable to build lives for themselves and their families; deprived of basic human rights. And yet some Israelis see Sharon's pullout as some great betrayal, as if the land they were awarded in 1948 isn't enough. As if the sufferings committed against the Jewish people in preceding centuries make them oblivious to the sufferings of the Palestinian people today. It is this blinkered mindset that is so infuriating to the watching world.
David Robinson, Brighton, United Kingdom

Terrorists were given all of the ammunition they needed when Israelis illegally set up settlements in the small areas of land still owned by the Palestinians - that's what kicked off the recent unrest and it's only right that they should be removed. The only way to stop terrorists is to negotiate, not blindly carry on acting in an aggressive and unproductive manner, which is what Israel has done up until this point.
Anon, UK

Terrorism is likely to continue as long as there is gross injustice in the treatment of the Palestinians and this withdrawal could help begin to repair that and give them hope. Until there is justice and hence peace there will be no winners, only losers.
Pete Hennessy, Bristol UK