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Sharon Plans To Drive Palestinians Across Jordan: Israeli Historian
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| Ariel Sharon has always harbored a plan to rid Israel of the Palestinians |
LONDON,
April 28 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A leading Israeli
historian Martin van Creveld predicts that a U.S. attack on Iraq or an
Israeli strike against Palestinians could trigger a massive
mobilization to clear the occupied territories of their two million
Palestinians, the British daily newspaper, The Telegraph reported
Sunday, April 28.
Two
years ago, less than 8% of those who took part in a Gallup poll among
Jewish Israelis said they were in favor of what is called
"transfer" - that is, the expulsion of perhaps two million
Palestinians across the River Jordan. This month that figure reached
44 per cent, the paper reported.
According
to Creveld, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon strongly favors such a
move, and has always harbored a plan to rid Israel of the
Palestinians.
Sharon
has often said since that Jordan, which, according to him, has a
Palestinian majority even now, is the Palestinian state. The inference
- that the Palestinians should go there - is clear, Creveld argued.
During
the 1948 war during which Israel occupied Arab land, Israel drove
650,000 Palestinians from their homes into neighboring countries. If
it were to try something similar today, the outcome could well be a
regional war. More and more people in Jerusalem believe that such is
Sharon's objective, Creveld said.
According
to Creveld, such a scenario of expelling Palestinians could easily
come about but Sharon would have to wait for a suitable opportunity -
such as an
American offensive against Iraq, which some Israelis think is
going to take place in early summer.
Sharon
himself told Colin Powell, the U.S. secretary of state, that he could
help America in its planned military offensive on Iraq.
An
uprising in Jordan, followed by the collapse of King Abdullah's
regime, would also present such an opportunity, Creveld added.
Should
such circumstances arise, Israel would mobilize with lightning speed -
even now, much of its population is on standby.
First,
Israel’s three submarines would take up firing positions at sea.
Borders would be closed, a news blackout imposed, and all foreign
journalists rounded up and confined to a hotel as guests of the
Israeli government, Creveld said.
A
force of 12 divisions, 11 of them armored, plus various territorial
units suitable for occupation duties, would be deployed: five against
Egypt, three against Syria, and one opposite Lebanon. This would leave
three to face east as well as enough forces to put a tank inside every
Arab-Israeli village just in case their populations get any funny
ideas, he added.
The
expulsion of the Palestinians would require only a few brigades. They
would not drag people out of their houses but use heavy artillery to
drive them out; the damage caused to Jenin would look like a pinprick
in comparison.
Any
outside intervention would be held off by the Israeli air force.
Creveld
said if Sharon decided to go ahead, the only country that can stop him
is the United States.
The
U.S., however, regards itself as being at war with parts of the Muslim
world that have supported Osama bin Laden. America will not
necessarily object to that world being taught a lesson - particularly
if it could be as swift and brutal as the 1967 campaign; and also
particularly if it does not disrupt the flow of oil for too long.
Israeli
military experts estimate that such a war could be over in just eight
days. If the Arab states do not intervene, it will end with the
Palestinians expelled and Jordan in ruins.
If
they do intervene, the result will be the same, with the main Arab
armies destroyed. Israel would, of course, take some casualties,
especially in the north, where its population would come under fire
from Hizbollah.
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