Israel offers PA rail link between West Bank and Gaza

A land without continuity... I think it is a strange idea. Would a train be a substitute for the natural geographical and Demographical continuity?! I would urge Israeli leaders to think more reasonably...

Answer: Israel started the 1967 war by attacking Egypt (pre-emptive strike). It was a well planned trick by Israel (IDF tricked Nasser and Syria into this so-called 6 day war!). Who attacked Egypt in 1956? Face the music Aaron and tell the truth for once. END THE CORRUPT AND BANKRUPT OCCUPATION for good and then we all will live in peace and harmony and not in denial and lies.

If Israel actually wants to disengage they need to let Palestinians control the borders with Egypt and the sea along with the airports

You say that all israel has to do is return the land to pre-1967 borders. Let me ask, who started the war in 1967? Who started the Yom Kippur war? Who started all the wars that Israel partook in? Had the Arabs won the 6-day war, this discussion would not be happening. In that case nobody would demand that land return to pre-1967 borders.

israelis are creating facts on the ground for the last 38 years . the endresult would be a non-viable Palestinians state. the palestinians will never accept living 100% dependent on the israelis who stole their land in the name of God . this conflict is far from over . a trai was a silly idea in my opinion and reflects a very naive ,immature ,unrealistic view of the facts .

Rasim You say Israel should give True Peace a chance. It seems to me that the past 8 months have seen a dramatic reduction in casualties, on both sides, from the earlier years of the intifata, and that both sides have taken strong steps towards some form of calm. But the point is, what happened to make this change possible? Answer is, the death of ONE man, one man!! now i dont have to wake up every morning, check the news and read that a bus blew up or Israel launched some offensive in Gaza. But the truth is, i still worry, because a mainstream Palestinian faction (Hamas) still hopes to destroy israel completely. There is no corresponding Israeli mainstream faction desiring the death of all Palestinians (please dont say Likud). How can you hope for True Peace if a large percentage of Palestinians vote and identify with such a faction, one that even now is challenging the elected Palestinian leader by firing missles at Sderot and (ironically) palestinian workers? The only way to true peace is through the complete dismantlement and disarmament of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other such groups. Just as an aside, i was reading a NYTimes article today that said that hezbollah rejects the UN resolution demaning its disarmament. I guess they no longer expect or demand israeli compliance with the resolutions regarding occupation. i wonder why they need 12,000 missles to defend their claims to the Shaaba farms?

Joe Your post was heartfelt. I feel you speak from the heart with genuine desire to end this nightmare as you so put it. I wish it could be so, but unfortunatly the israelis want to eat there cake and hide it too. I understand the israelis want security, and they are frightened to give anything up for fear (of what i dont know). But i ask israelis this: Nuclear weapons, F16, patriots, arrow missiles, stealth, and the list of military grants goes on and on--if these can can bring peace than why not give TRUE PEACE a chance?

Peter First of all, i really could not understand your post very well. Try making more complete sentences and using periods. Second, for what i did decipher from your post, i feel that you are one sidedly blaming the arabs, particularly the pals for there short comings. We can spend all lifetime with tit for tat points against both sides but that would not solve anything. Perhaps if we put our minds together rather than taking the easy way out and pointing fingers at each other, we will find a solution to this conflict. Rgds.

if it were the erez crossing that was the problem maybe there would be quicker rest to the conflict, do not say the one women who was noted, israel stops TERRORRISM everyday and its country has been at war DEFENDING herself since the day it became a state, oh and bragging that security walls, and security checkpoints, though thats not how you put them but that exactly what they are for ,security,that the terrorists can get into a country to blow themselves up and murder people isnt good for youre cause, what is awful that a bomber wont use a secutity checkpoint to kill people that very peace full, and youre right violence spurns violence, ARABS STOP TERROR

These statements say it all about what kind of state Sharon has in mind for Palestinians: [[According to the proposal, the tracks would run from the Erez checkpoint in the northern part of the Gaza Strip to the Tarqumiya crossing near the West Bank city of Hebron.]] [[The solution will apparently be to set up Israeli customs stations at the crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel, and inspect the goods there.]] [[which does not entail movement of Palestinian cars on Israeli roads.]] What the author failed to mention is "Israeli roads" on occupied Palestinian lands. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it's a duck. This scheme of "disengagement" is nothing more than dressing up the occupation. The checkpoints remain, movement of people and goods remain under Israeli control. The roads for Jews only remain entact with their racist restrictions. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. If this is progress, God forbid the day Israeli's decide to wall in the entire Palestinian population(prisoners) and call it a security measure. Oh wait, that already happened!! What is needed is a real disengagement from all territory occupied after 1967. The piecemeal approach--occupation going on it's 40th year-- while settlments expand is a recipe for perpetual war. Maybe Israeli's don't mind this fate but Palestinians are getting sick and tired of being on the recieving end of a genocidal onslaught on their very existence. It comes at them one illegal settlement at a time, one checkpoint at a time, one assassination at a time, one house demolition at a time but nevertheless, they endure the consquences of such cumulative provocations and acts of agression. Enough is enough! Accept the deal the Arabs put forth, all nations will recognize Israel and her borders after it withdraws from 67 line. They agree to open ties and full diplomatic relations--and FULL PEACE! Put NATO, UN or US forces to enforce the peace deal and that's it, game over. Jews get their state and Palestinians can escape the hellish nightmare of living under zionist brutal occupation

The great thing about the Internet is I can make up any name - like, for example, "Asaf" and claim to be a former soldier that sees Israel as a racist state or I can be a Palestinian that feels that Ariel Sharon is a peacemaker. I wouldn't get to riled up over any of these posts - regardless of how farfetched they may seem.

A train is not a bad idea, but it is not a complete answer to the problem. I have always envisioned a road or roads connecting the two territories and various points. These roads or rather bridges, would have elevated walls so the cars would not be even able to see the land underneath them. Along the passages would be security personnel, cameras, etc. A train, as i stated b4, is not a bad idea except it does not encompass a total solution. 1. What will the cost be to the pals to ride this train? Will they even be able to afford it? 2. What about the people who want to relocate from the wb to gaza or vice versa--how do they load all their belongings onto a train? 3. How many trains will be active, what will be the schedule? Will it be 24 hrs? Many loose ends still.

The Arabs will be one heck of a lot safer escaping the attentions of phantom Jewish terrorists than Jews ever have been evading the vampirical depredations of actual European Christians. If Swedish men had had the courage to fight for anything for the last two hundred years, apart, of course, from their own selfish interests, we might take you just a tad more seriously. Sorry, Johanes, but we find it difficult to respect the citizens of a nation that not only stood by while millions of their neighbours were murdered, but also actively collaborated with the Nazi war machine.

Asaf That was a very good post my friend. I once had the honor of conversing with a person named Asaf. He too served in the IDF and he too was as enlightened as you seem to be. You and him wouldnt happen to be the same Asaf would you?

Why Johanes should Israel guarantee the safety of Palestinians on a Palestinian railway? Does the PA offer safety guarantees to Israelis dining in restaurants, riding buses or even in their own homes? You don't live here, Johanes, so it is easy for you to say such things. Why can't high and mighty Europeans like yourself leave well enough alone? Why can't you just accept that Israel is a country that has a right to defend itself? Why can't you just write a letter stating that Israel's offering a rail link between the West Bank and Gaza Strip is a positive development and a huge gesture on Israel's part? Will Israel receive security guarantees that terrorists won't ride the rails and take potshots or missile shots at Israeli cars, homes, buses, etc.? Stop clouding the issue Johanes Franzen and let the people who are living in this region live their lives without your naive meddling. Start seeing the world as it is, not as you think it should be. Seeing the world as you think it should be is a European "disease" which along with "historical amnesia" has resulted in more bad over the years than good. Support the rail link, support peace efforts, but stop throwing around terms like "Jewish terrorists" when for all we know you could mean the IDF or Jews in general.

now that is funny!

At the present time, The Train is the best idea for linking Gaza and the West Bank. The BIG question is how and whom will do security checks? Israel, the PA or joint security. There needs to be a balance between the need of movement for the Palestinians and preventing this transportation from becoming another avenue for funneling weapons between the West Bank and Gaza. I remember before the current Terrorist war that I saw many cars with Palestinian license plates traveling on Israeli highways. At the time I liked the intergrations. NOW, NO WAY. This current war has destroyed intergration. We are now engaging in separation. Once peace is established between Israel and Palestine, I am in favor of a dedicated highway being built (perhaps elevated in places and/or tunnels in other places), in addition to the train linking Gaza and the West Bank.

Strange idea, maybe a tunnel is a better option...

One can just imagine the problems about the safety of this "safe passage". It should be agreed that Israel provides for the safety for a train that runs through Israel. The tracks should be protected as the passengers from Jewish terrorism.

Akiva is correct, Israelis are morons. So focused on the feelings of their enemies. Always scrutinizing themselves - "Perhaps the Arabs murder us because we did something wrong?" How pathetic? Whatever happened to "disengagement"? I thought we were disengaging from Gaza, which means pulling out, shutting the door, and throwing away the key, and letting the Arabs enjoy their freedom amongst themselves.

What about the Erez suicide bomber? There were tens upon tens of suicide bombings all across the country. What makes it unique? I hold the opinion that terrorism isnt unique to palestinians and that its source are violence and opression. Any move to lift the opression, like the rail connection between Gaza and Hebron, can help reduce tensions. And as for your question, "SO what do you weigh out first Security or human Rights?" Its a question of balance. I think that if Sharon approved the rail than probably the security question isnt so terrible.

I can not believe there are still Akivas out there, with their sub-normal, narrow minded ideas. I am glad to read Assafs comments, an Israeli like there are many, but not often heard.

Welcome to the era of Quassam rockets made in the independent Gaza area, raining down on Kfar Sava from Qalqilya, brought in by train.

You people who served at Erez understand more than the ones who are serving on WestBank checkpoints!or on the Allenby crossing! George was talking about the woman who blew herself up, well she doesnt represent anybody! Between the millions of people who cross Erez yearly,this happened once! Anyways, i dont understand why soldiers on checkpoints always act with hate! I see it in their eyes! No Respect for any palestinian! They yell at 80 years old people, for them, raising their arms to scare is easier than Talking! This is total Violation of human dignity! ISRAEL MUST WORK on it if it really wants peace! If you want more details about these atrocities, ask MAKHSOMWATCH women , They know better! IT IS AWFUL! The thing is that a bomber will not use a Checkpoint in order to make his attack! There are so many other ways to enter israel! Checkpoints or walls will never stop terrorists, only a just solution will! FACE IT! Violence NEVER stopped Violence!

This is a great idea for a final status agreement that would allow Palestinians to travel throughout their state. A Palestinian resident of the West Bank will be able to move or visit a Palestinian beach in Gaza. This is a much better idea (and more environmentally friendly) than a road corridor that divides Israel in two and would flood the south with Palestinian cars. Would this railway be mostly above ground? Would there be any parts below ground? What happens in areas with Israeli roads and rails? Will there be any stops in Israel itself? If there were, there would have to be some kind of checkpoint or customs area.

Asaf... i also served at the Erez crossing point! i agree with you in certain points but there are evils on both sides!! how do you explain pitty for a "poor palestinian women" who blew herself up at the ERez border point killing two soldiers and two civillians?the women pleaded and begged to come through claiming she had plates in her legs and needed to feed her starving children..SO what do you weigh out first Security or human Rights?

And not only an idiot, but an evil, narrow minded one. Did it occur to Akiva that the palestinians are human beings as well? That they are entitled to visit their families and friends and lead a normal life? Did it occur to him that terrorism comes, among other things, from frustration and that the imprissonment of two or more million people in an area as small as Gaza is unhuman? A personal note - as an Israeli who served three years in the occupied territories and Gaza I witnessed the occupation first hand and was a part of its mechanism. My views changed from those of Akiva the day I was stationed at the Erez border crossing. Seeing the multitude of poor people (that were lucky enough to get a work permit) coming back home from work in israel carrying trash the Israelis threw away was a sight I will never forget. From far away New York I can honestly say that Israel became a racist state. It hurts to say that, but its true. People like Akiva are the problem, on both sides.

Ibrahim What security gauarantees will the PA make in light of such a propitious offer of luxury rail travel for the Gazans...I do not hear anything in the way of contributions being made by the Palestinian Authority. I am willing to bet that those pesky terrorists will be sending Kassams right into the trackage rights of way.

As Arafat was it Akiva Rogers is part of the problem! He and his friends are not part of the solution.

I hope Israel isn't playing games with us. A connection between Gaza and the West Bank, unhindered by the IDF, is critical for the Palestinians. Without it, you can consider Gaza ISRAELI OCCUPIED even after the disengagement, as it would be completely surrounded and controlled by Israel.

You are idiots. No other commentary is necessary.