Gary Fitleberg, December 23, 2004

Yesha, Israel’s settler council, rejected the wearing of orange stars as a protest against the government’s plan to surrender the ancient biblical and modern disputed territory of Gaza, given as a gift from G-d to the Children of Israel in an eternal covenant to the Arabs under international political pressure.

In a decision Wednesday, the Yesha council presented what it called its "Three No’s" policy: no to violence, no to refusal of military service and no to the orange Star of David badges.

A major backlash erupted in Israel against settlers wearing orange stars, reminiscent of the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear in the Holocaust. There also were strong calls in Israel against settlers encouraging soldiers to ignore orders to evacuate settlements, and condemnation of a call by some rabbis to resist evacuation with violence if necessary.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg