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Bob Westbrook is a Titusville, Florida based professional
photographer, writer, and consultant. He writes commentaries
from a Christian Zionist perspective, endeavoring to encourage Christian support for Israel. He is the Bible Prophecy moderator for the website and the author of .
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By Bob Westbrook
October 18, 2001
Rechavam Ze'evi, Israeli government official and cabinet member, was assassinated yesterday by Palestinian terrorists. Nearly all Israelis had regarded Ze'evi as a "right-wing extremist" because of his views. He held firmly to the concept of a "greater Israel," specifically, that the land now called the West Bank intrinsically belongs to Israel. Understanding what many in Israel should but do not understand, he advocated some realistic solutions to the so-called "Arab/Israeli conflict." Unlike many who are easily able to jettison the cause of historic pride and Divine destiny for greater Eretz Israel, Ze'evi would not.
It is ironic that his tragic death may be one of the major events that spur the vindication of his ideas. Many in Israel have until now abandoned a portion of their historical heritage, the concept that Judea and Samaria belong to the Jews. But not Ze'evi. He was the founder of the Moledet (Homeland) political party, considered by many to be little short of a crackpot party. But time will prove that Ze'evi's ideas were correct. Unlike many who held to the illusion that peace with the Palestinians in an adjacent state is possible, Ze'evi was a realist.
He was a realist because he understand two facts:
1) Coexistence with a group of people that have a deeply ingrained, cultivated hatred of Israel is not possible, and
2) that land upon which the Palestinians desire to create their state will ultimately belong to Israel. In contrast to these facts, the Oslo "peace process" is no solution whatsoever, as recent events have powerfully demonstrated. Therefore, given those two facts, the only conceivable solution is a transfer of Arabs out of the West Bank, and annexation of that land to become a part of Israel. This kind of realism is so out of step with the international policies that it is despised; nevertheless, Ze'evi's vision will one day become a reality.
Some have labeled him as "racist" or have accused him of hating Arabs. Regarding these allegations I cannot comment, having never heard any statements indicating that. Whether or not his motives were pure in proposing transfer of the Arabs, and whether or not his means of communicating this message were always appropriate, his prescience regarding the necessity of transfer will prove to be correct.
For the Palestinians, the only question remains: Will they make this easy or hard on themselves? Ze'evi and his party stated that transfer of the Arabs out of the West Bank is the only "just and humane solution." This is correct, because it is the only workable solution. Any other proposed solution, as we have seen, will only lead to more bloodshed. Sadly, Ze'evi's blood will not be the last that is shed, but perhaps he would be pleased if his blood was not shed in vain, if his ideas are given new consideration as a result of his death.
Nearly all visionaries, men who saw a clear vision of the future when others could not, have been initially labeled as extremists. It is not until time has vindicated their vision and understanding that they are recognized for the foresight and genius. Ze'evi's ideas have been regarded with disdain because they are considered inhumane. They are not. If implemented, they will actually reduce bloodshed.
If the situation continues as is, war is inevitable, a war that will bring great suffering, loss of life, and sorrow to the Palestinian people. How will this be more humane than a preemptive transfer of Palestinians? Though difficult to implement, the physical removal of hundreds of thousands of persons who desire Israel's destruction is the only way that massive bloodshed will be prevented.
Critics have labeled this a policy of ethnic cleansing. It is not. There should not be a hint of malice behind this policy, no hidden genocidal urges underlying it. The Palestinians are the ones with the genocidal urges, who have proven themselves unwilling to live in peace with Israel. They were given adequate, even generous opportunities to demonstrate their willingness. Instead, they have chosen to systematically cultivate a culture of hatred towards Israel. It has been their own doing, and will become their own undoing.
Ze'evi didn't live to see the fruition of the "greater Israel." But as Ariel Sharon said in response to the murder, "The situation is different today, and will not again be like it was yesterday." Let's hope he means it, and stops dancing with Peres to the tune of the deadly myth.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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