Answer to Cyrus
My indignation at the behavior of the settlers in Gilad Farm has nothing to do with the Oslo Accords, and my views about them. Wherever you think the border should be, in Israel the law is such that private citizens cannot decide for themselves where inhabited areas should be newly built. Agricultural and open areas cannot be built on, even if they are privately owned, without the necessary state authorization. This holds inside the Green Line, as well.

We are fortunate enough to be living in a democracy. The laws of the jungle are not the accepted laws of the land in Israel. There is an elected government; there is an elected legislative body; there is a judicial system; there is a police force; there is an army. Private citizens who attack policemen, policewomen and soldiers are breaking the law. Therefore they are subject to arrest, trial and, if convicted and if deemed necessary by the court, prison sentences. I see no reason why Israeli law should not apply to Israelis living in Judaea, Samaria and Gaza, unless they prefer to be citizens of the Palestinian Authority, in which case they would be subject to Palestinian law (which they are welcome to). There are plenty of legal ways to express opposition to government policy, as I have pointed out in the past, with regard to left-wing protest activities, if I am not mistaken.

Protesting against government policy is one thing. Breaking the law by, not only building without authorization in a dangerous area necessitating state protection, but actually violently attacking those very representatives of the state who protect you, is another. At a time of war, and in the very center of the war zone, no less, such behavior could be construed as treason.

I won’t even mention violently harassing villagers busy with the olive harvest, which in my mind is wicked.

All of the right-wing friends I have discussed this with agree with me on this issue, by the way.

(Gil seems to have been served a dose of venom, too. I sympathize).