Israel to double settler numbers on Golan Heights

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel intends to double the number of Jewish settlers in the Golan Heights over the next three years to tighten its grip over the plateau seized from Syria in a 1967 war, a cabinet minister said on Wednesday...

The Israeli army shot and wounded 10 Palestinians and one Israeli in its second confrontation in five days with protesters opposing a barrier Israel is building inside occupied West Bank territory Palestinians seeks for a state, witnesses said.

Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz told Israel Radio the right-wing cabinet had agreed to double the current settler population of 17,000 to solidify its hold over the Golan before opening any peace negotiations with Syria.

Such a move would increase "facts on the ground" -- consolidating Israeli control over captured territory -- similar to the way the barrier slicing through West Bank terrain would incorporate Jewish settlements Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has vowed never to yield under any peace treaty.

http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=6612&PHPSESSID=7628a6327ef4273e49f96e3eda35ef17

current and likely future consequences.

The Syrian attempted land grab of the shoreline is a move worthy of Sharon.

The agreement gives Syria everthing it lost - but they want more!!! - they want the shoreline area.

Of course giving Syria the Israeli villages on the shore would end the problem of the Golan being a great place to shell Israeli villages - there would be no Israeli villages there!!!!!

:-)

position on the shoreline that you mention? I don't think
I've seen that before and it sounds interesting.

I do agree that this is another example of Sharon's
approach to "negotiation."

right before the visit with Assad....
:eyes:

edit: capital A