Is anyone paying attention?
The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank is a step towards liberating Jerusalem, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei declared on Thursday.
Addressing thousands of Palestinians during a rally organized by the ruling Fatah party in Gaza City, Qurei said no Palestinian would ever give up one inch of Jerusalem. "The process of national struggle will continue until we reach Jerusalem and celebrate there and in the West Bank," he said.
The rally, marking the beginning of celebrations over disengagement, was also held to celebrate the birthday of former PA chairman Yasser Arafat, who died in a French hospital last November.
Just words, of course. No reason to be alarmed. And speaking of Arafat, remember this? It's back!
Echoing Arafat's famous battle cry, Qurei said: "We will proceed from one victory to another until we achieve the big victory – when one of our roses or juveniles will hoist the Palestinian flag on the walls of the Old City [of Jerusalem] and its minarets and churches."
Qurei said the departure of Israel from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank will bring the Palestinians closer to Jerusalem. "There is no other way," he stressed. "We are at the threshold of a great challenge as we move on a clear path toward the liberation of the West Bank and Jerusalem."
Addressing Israel, he said, "Leave our land and homes, leave us alone and we will know how to build our country – just leave without return."
Absolutely. No return to stop the uninhibited flow of weapons into Gaza. No return to root out terrorist kingpins or Kassam firing thugs. Leave them alone and they'll know how to build their country. They've demonstrated that well over the past twelve years, don't you think?
Referring to the launching of the first armed attack on Israel by Fatah, Qurei added: "The process that started in 1965 is now making its way, through the strong determination and will of our people, toward Jerusalem, the West Bank and the rest of the homeland."
Yes, indeed. We get the message. The whole world gets the message. If they're listening. Terror works. Keep it up. It may take forty years, but you'll get what you want. Clear?
[ . . . ]In the context of preparations for post-disengagement celebrations, the PA has ordered 20,000 Palestinian flags that will be hoisted over the settlements in the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank, PA Civil Affairs Minister Muhammed Dahlan announced on Thursday.
He said thousands of T-shirts with the writing, "The homeland has returned to us, let's protect it together," will be distributed in various parts of the Gaza Strip in the next few days as part of efforts to prevent scenes of chaos and lawlessness.
I will not, I repeat not, end the week on this note.
