The "Road Map"

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Originally Posted by KevinTheHerbivore

Granted, when the IDF roles into Gaza, they probably aren't as cautious and gentle as when they role into a settlement outpost,

When the IDF rolls into a settlement, the world media isn't documenting their every move. Whatever Israel does within PA territory is widely watched. The difference is that ultimately the settlers want a strong Israel, some have served in the IDF, and there is still a mutual understanding of the same goals through different means. It's interesting that this all is just now finally making news.

Originally Posted by KevinTheHerbivore

but I think the actions being taken by these settlers are along the lines of action that many from the more "pro-palestinian" perspective have been hoping we'd see from them.

Sure, and the pro-israel contingent hope for the same.... but there is still the subtext that the foundations for this particular "liberation" movement is built around racial hate, and a resistance to coexistance. This isn't just in the minds of fanatic zionists. Otherwise Palestinian's are more then capable of matching the moral ideals behind settler uprising tactics. Adopting these same strategies might even get them a state, but it would kill the palestinian's economy, which revolves completely around violence. Hamas and co. might provide community outreach, but they're in the business of war.

Originally Posted by KevinTheHerbivore

Was this a stipulation in the peace plan? I've heard nothing of this.

Why else are the settlements even an issue? They want to dismantled and remove all Jewish settlements, which would make the land "juden rein"...Jewish free. Otherwise, the settlements and their residents could in theory become citizens of a new Palestinian state, and a Jew could run for office in a new Democratic government. Think that's really gonna happen?

Gaza is the size of Long Island, and if anyone really thinks it's inhabitable (blech!) , then there's still plenty to be developed....so while Gaza city itself is densely populated, it's not like land there is scarce.