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MK NAOMI CHAZAN:
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The war of the Occupation
 This is the first war that focuses squarely on the future of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. For the Palestinians, this is a war of national liberation against Israeli occupation.
Israel, confronted with numerous terrorist attacks and insistent that it is engaged once again in a struggle for survival, has nevertheless concentrated its responses on the Palestinian population and its leadership.
In fact the vast majority of violent incidents during the past two years have taken place in the West Bank and Gaza. In recent months the Israeli Defense Forces have in effect reoccupied the West Bank, and the government has encouraged increased settlement activity.
The War of the Occupation has penetrated deeply into each society, involving civilians directly, and fomenting ill will and deep-seated mistrust (if not acrimony).
Too many Israelis are unaware of the realities of the ongoing occupation and hence indifferent to its adverse effects on Israeli society, economy, security and moral integrity. It is highly unlikely that any end to the fighting will be achieved without agreement on a plan to end the occupation: to liberate the Palestinians from Israeli domination and to liberate Israel from ruling over another people against their will.
Prof. Naomi Chazan of the Meretz Party
is Deputy Speaker of the Knesset
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