Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., November 23, 2008 Cheshvan 25, 5769 | | Israel Time: 08:13 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 03:22 21/11/2008 No more tolerance By Haaretz Editorial was in response to a High Court of Justice ruling requiring the settlers to vacate the so-called House of Contention in Hebron until a district court decides who really owns it. This criminal aggression by settlers in Hebron and elsewhere has long been a tolerated routine. In contrast to the security forces' efforts in exposing terrorist cells or criminal gangs, here there is not even a need for good intelligence about the transgressors' intentions. Their actions take place out in the open, and both the perpetrators and their leaders are known. Yet when the IDF capitulates and takes responsibility for cleaning up after them by wiping the hateful slogans off the walls, when the defense minister keeps talking about "the need for dialogue" with settler leaders, and especially when the country's president declares from London that Israel will have trouble evacuating settlements without a civil war, these criminal gangs have reason to celebrate. They could never have dreamed of backing like what they received from the president. Ostensibly, Israel currently lacks a government capable of dealing with these lawbreakers. An election campaign is always a good time for extortionists and lawbreakers who can wrap every crime they commit in phrases such as "the people of Israel" or "the sanctity of Israel." Thus if the IDF, with a few rare exceptions, refrains from confronting the settlers in normal times, it will demonstrate even more restraint now, when the race for every vote requires "leniency and tolerance." Advertisement But "dialogue," that ambiguous term meaning a wink here and a shrug there, is understood by the settlers in one way only: They will be in control and the government will shut up. IDF soldiers, who are always caught in the middle, will have to suffer a few more curses, a little more turpentine, a few more blows. What are the High Court and law-enforcement agencies compared to armed fanatics who turn every building they can get their hands on, whether legally or illegally, into a holy site? This situation cannot be tolerated because a government that weakly allows the settlers to scoff at High Court decisions grants the rest of the country's citizens license to do the same. If you can spit in a soldier's face in Hebron, you can squat in houses in Jaffa. The government must remove the settlers from the House of Contention immediately, indict everyone who attacked soldiers, and investigate everyone who threatened action against the state. It must, once and for all, make it clear to the public in Israel - not the settlements - that there is one law for all, and no one is above it. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Mikaeel Jackson Report: Pop star Michael Jackson converts to Islam. Peace now Abbas calls on Obama to enact Arab peace plan as soon as he takes office.   1.   No more tolerance...of anything beyond the Green Line 08:38  |  Gad Giladi 21/11/08   2.   The unlawful settlers. 18:31  |  Carol KNoll 21/11/08   3.   Unlawful Settlers 23:23  |  D. Birenbaum 21/11/08   4.   One law? 17:04  |  Mark Lincoln 22/11/08   5.   Illegal Arab Construction 18:31  |  Jjk 22/11/08   6.   the result of cynicism 21:16  |  reuven nof 22/11/08   7.   ISRAELis will not be preserved, revile outer settlers 00:37  |  Achjee 23/11/08

Read & React 20,000 Jewish pilgrims to descend on Hebron amid settler violence Responses: 235 Experts argue: How close is Iran to its first nuclear weapon? Responses: 158 Video: Prof. Avi Shlaim says settlements turn Israel into Apartheid state Responses: 214 Debate over Museum of Tolerance - an exchange Responses: 32 PLO official Yasser Abed Rabbo: The Palestinian people need Obama's help Responses: 89 Gideon Levy: Israeli left was born in sin and died because of a lie Responses: 111 More Headlines 03:04 Defense establishment paper: Golan for Syria peace, plan for Iran strike 02:22 Candidate for U.S. security adviser wants NATO force in West Bank 02:23 Obama's Mideast peace platform is coming into focus 05:04 As he heads to Washington, Olmert prepares his comeback 06:44 Hebron on Shabbat / Despite everything, this city is still Palestinian 07:26 Belgian travel show ad features Hitler in stripper costume 04:30 Israel in pole position at Chess Olympiad 01:36 Ethiopian immigrants: Why place us so far from job possibilities? 06:08 Despite prior objections, Treasury to give in on pension fund safety net 07:18 Hollywood in Netanya: Ben Stiller and Chris Rock in coastal Israeli city for 'Madagascar 2' premiere 05:25 Swimmer Jaben suspended for a year after positive drug-test results Previous Editions Select Day 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov

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