If you’ve been watching the news (which I don’t) or reading it online (which I rarely have time to do) you might have noticed that there has been some hubbub in Israel the past few days. Well, let’s say more hubbub than usual.
The situation goes like this: in the Six Day War of 1967, Israel captured a narrow strip of land on the Mediterranean Sea. That strip of land is called the Gaza Strip, and it’s about 141 square miles. To compare, consider that Rhode Island, our smallest state, is 1,945 square miles. No, that’s not the best comparison. Gaza is about the size of your average Wal-Mart. Wikepedia also said it’s “one of the most densely populated territories on earth.” So, it’s small, it was won in a war, and it’s densely populated – the perfect combination for being a highly contested area. It also happens to be rife with crime, poverty, and unemployment.
For years, the Palestinians have wanted Gaza back, but Israel held on to it because several thousand Israelis settled there. Whatwith the continuing conflict in Israel, it seems the Israeli government has decided to give Gaza back. This seems like a simple task, for all one needs to do to convey land to someone else is basically sign a few papers, but in this case, there’s a hitch. All those Israelis that settled there need to go too. Part of the deal of the withdrawal from Gaza is that Israel will, in its entirety, vacate the area. That means its settlers too. Some of them don’t much want to leave, though, so the army has come in to forcibly remove them when necessary. It’s not pretty. But hey, orders is orders.
So if you’re wondering what the hell is going on in Israel, that’s what’s going on.
Comments (6)
URL: http://
that's the beauty of this site. my knowledge is so vast and my cred so far-reaching that i can tackle any issue. next week, a survey history and analysis of the strain of beer-drinker known as genus intoxicatus skorloffitus. do not approach when in action. abandon all foreign beers and (select) domestics or fear the wrath of its pop-culture humor and witticisms. avoid using the word Zymology.
Posted by p-man | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16
URL: http://
thanks for the summary. i read it, essentially memorized (in my usual style), regurgitated it, sounded like a friggin' history scholar. particleman = instant cred on virtually any topic
Posted by skorloff | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16
URL: http://www.goodmorninghouston.blogspot.com
I think the settlers who don't want to leave calling the soldiers vacating them "Nazis" is a little uncalled for.
Posted by Thomas | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16
URL: http://
i'm privy to the new shit. (see? see how i did that?) and yes, yes, i do have an interest in all things international. it's also a good part of what i'm doing at the ol' internship. (there's even a 12 km highway that the israelis are afraid when they pull out will become a highway for smuggling illegal arms into gaza)
Posted by swandive00 | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16
URL: http://
wow, you just have an interest in all things international, eh? i didn't know hubbub meant brouhaha. new shit has come to light.
Posted by p-man | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16
URL: http://
let's just say i've read so much about this i didn't read most of that posting (except for the walmart analogy - well done man of particles!) however, there is one thing that struck me: hubbub. if you look up hubbub in an english-french dictionary, the french translation is "brouhaha" i've always found that funny.
Posted by swandive00 | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16