Tuesday
Mar232010
Middle East Inside Line: Britain Expelling Israeli Diplomat, Cost of Settlements, Israel on Rising Insecurity
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 15:38 
London Expels Israeli Diplomat over Dubai Assassination: Britain is expelling an Israeli diplomat over the use of forged British passports in the assassination of Hamas chief Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai, according to a British Foreign Office official.The British Foreign Office said Foreign Secretary David Miliband is making a statement on the matter at 1530 GMT.
The Cost of the Israeli Settlements: According to a study by the Macro Center for Political Economics, Israeli settlements in the West Bank encompass 12 million square meters of roads, homes and factories that cost more than $17 billion to build.
Macro director general Dr. Robi Nathanson said: "The logic behind the economic calculation is to assess the cost of construction and infrastructure in the settlement enterprise. This isn't market value, but rather the cost of building infrastructure."
The Israel Air Force bombed a Gaza City weapons storage facility overnight Monday. On Tuesday morning, the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said, "The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm the citizens of the State of Israel and will continue to operate firmly against anyone who uses terror against it."
On Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi briefed the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on the security situation along Israel's border. He talked about three topics: the Iranian nuclear issue, increased firing of Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip, and Hezbollah's situation in Lebanon.
On the Iranian nuclear issue, he said: "The Iranians are pressing ahead with their nuclear program. I hope that the trilateral sanctions will prove effective." He also added that it would be a mistake to rely on the opposition within Iran to neutralize the program's progress, as "the [Iranian] regime is strong and effective".
As for the northern border, he said that it is quiet "but that could change" since "Hezbollah is deploying more forces north of the Litani River."
Ashkenazi stated that Hamas was not behind the attacks from Gaza but added that the IDF will retaliate against Hamas targets since they see Hamas as "the sovereign group" in the territory.
Meanwhile, the IDF is investigating two West Bank incidents in which Israeli soldiers shot dead four Palestinians in less than 24 hours.
Reader Comments (9)
Ali -
I have read several brief accounts of the expelling of the Israeli diplomat, not had time to look for more details, but have you read/heard what level this diplomat is? I would guess probably lower level and this is a smack on the hand by the UK but not seen much detail.
Regarding the deaths of the Palestinians, is this combined with the continued defiance by BN, recent statements by Abbas, Arab league, etc...do we expect to see either mass protests and potential violence in the coming days/weeks?
Regards,
The diplomat is believed to be the Mossad's London station chief. Depending on the investigations being carried out other European nations and by the UAE, the spat may possibly develop from there.
Thank you for the information Ian.
The expelled diplomat has been named but, of course, not someone with a higher title. Secondly, I have just come from the Palestinian Authority chief negotiator Saeb Erekat's conference. He said that all this friction is consciously prepared by Israelis to trigger a Third Intifada. So, he thinks that another uprising will be in Israel's interest but I do not think so. Such a huge clash will bring the optimal condition for Washington to put pressure on Israel. Therefore, it is in Israel's interest to present its insecurity in the face of an "uncooperative partner who is putting pre-conditions yet doing nothing to advance talks" rather than street fights taking tens of lives every day. Anyway, an exclusive analysis is on the way with the full video of Erekat's conference.
Ali
Perhaps the planning for a third intifada is being prepared by the Palestinians - with a view to blaming the cause of it on the Israelis. ??
Possibility???
Barry
Hamas is explicitly supporting it and would benefit from it but, within these conditions, the Palestinian Authority will be the last to see that happening since the consequences of such clashes inside Palestinian factions cannot be foreseen which might damage Fatah's position even in Ramallah.
Ali,
Thanks for the artilce and like always I learned something. In reference to your statement "He said that all this friction is consciously prepared by Israelis to trigger a Third Intifada" do you have any evidence they presented? If so let us know or let us know if it is going to be in the follow up article.
Additionally what is Hamas "supporting?" Is it the concept of a third Intifada or something else?
Thx
Bill
Bill,
Thank you and you are always welcome. It is going to be a deep analysis about his speech. His evidence is based on political arguments as the opposite is based on by Israelis. It involves "Netanyahu's pre-conditions," "Israel's security needs whilst its ignoring security needs of others," "Israel's settlement policies," etc...
Unlike Ramallah's claim that Hamas made a coup in the Strip along with the accusation that Hamas undermined its legitimacy by undermining democracy and rejecting the already signed treaties so far, Hamas argues that it is the legitimate party that should be governing the whole lands since they won the elections and formed the government. The demands of the Quartet are remaining as well...
Pragmatically, Hamas is stuck in the Strip. Egypt, the West Bank and Israel are all external factors weakening Hamas while other groups might take a different path inside Gaza too. So, placing the political discourse on "injustice" and "struggle" is more than welcome by Hamas now as it did announce the recent clashes in East Jerusalem as "the day of rage."
Ali,
It would also be interesting if you were to discuss "Neytanyahu's" discourse in comparision to what the majority of Israeli's want. I often find his message a bit on the extreme as to what the common Israeli wants. It is sort of Akin to the rhetoric out of the old bush camp in comparision to the will of the American people. My hope is Netanyahyu is not basing his "pre conditions" on lies like Bush did.
As for Hamas that is a very interesting topic. I am somewhat torn about the situation as it pertains to them winning the elections yet not coming to power. Like many I believe Hamas has many legit gripes but their involvement in highly questionable military actions has greatly tarnished them--but does that mean they shouldn't rule if the people said so? However, my fear is like so many Islamist movements they will pay lip service to Democracy but in the end it is only a vehicle for them to use. Once they reach their destination they hop off and bye bye to what we consider democracy in the West. Their parent organization the Muslim Brotherhood is well known for advocating democracy yet when you do the research their entire world view is actually at odds with democracy. It simply is because Sharia can never allow man made laws to have primacy over it. I realize that is somewhat a simplistic view and maybe if given time these Islamist movements will embrace democracy but within the framework of Islam. In the end I just don't want to see Hamas use the chant of democracy like the Mullahs in Iran did and then once in power liquidate any opposition that championed democracy because it is a threat to their power.
As for an additional subject matter maybe in the future you can also delve into the paradox of the Islamic world pushing for two state solution while also saying Israel needs to cease to exist. I say that because the majority of the charters of Islamic world say all of Palestine needs to be reclaimed. Further compounding the issue is the fact these charters are heavily based on scripture. That scripture says any territory conquered by Muslims must remain an Islamic wafq for perpetuity and to boot Muhammad also declared the Arabian penisula was to have been cleansed of all non Muslims. Knowing the reality the Jews will never leave how in the world do we solve the issue respective to these Islamist charters and Islam's own injunctions against Israel? It would seem from a puritanical standpoint the issue cannot end until Israel is gone and thus the conundrum!
Look forward to seeing your future articles and thanks for the input.
Bill