Arial Sharon’s planned withdrawal from Gaza has prompted protests by Israelis and setters living in Gaza and the West Bank. Mr. Sharon has also met resistance from individuals in and outside of his political party. An Israeli minister went so far as to resign in protest of the pullout. This withdrawal will mark the first time since the occupation of the territories began in 1967 that Israel is making a real concession to the Palestinians. Although these concessions are most likely due to a motivation to achieve Israeli greater interests, such as more control over the West Bank, Israelis are still protesting these concessions.

Well, why shouldn’t they? Israelis have basically been spoiled since the birth of Israel. Israeli psychological development has not allowed the growth of empathy or regard for the fellow man and instead a feeling of entitlement has become the dominant component of their psychology. How did it get to the point where any concessions made to the Palestinians no matter how little get such a strong negative reaction from the people of Israel?

Let’s start at the very beginning, the birth of Israel in 1948. In order for Israel to be created hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were removed from their homes. Many of these Palestinians currently live in refugee camps in Gaza, the West Bank, and surrounding countries. What lesson did the population of Israel learn from this? That taking another’s possession by force is acceptable and in fact recommended in order to achieve your goals. This message was repeated in 1967 when Israel annexed East Jerusalem and occupied Gaza and the West Bank.

These powerful messages resonated with the Israelis as construction of settlements in Gaza and the West Bank became acceptable. Gaza the most populated stretch of land in the world was not even off limits to land grab by Israel. They continue to hear as long as you want it, you can have it and other people’s circumstance doesn’t mean a thing. Settlement expansion in Gaza and the West Bank has systematically increased since 1967 without any cessation. It’s not only the land, but also the resources of the land that is stolen. Water reservoirs are siphoned from the West Bank into Israel so that Israelis can water their lawns and fill their swimming pools, while Palestinians in the West Bank struggle to get drinking water. What kind of message does this communicate to the population?

Another people’s rights are not important. This message is communicated to Israelis on a consistent basis. Since the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank began, tens of thousands of unarmed Palestinians have either been killed or seriously injured for protesting Israeli occupation. Not only is it that Palestinians don’t have rights, they also don’t have the right to resist injustice. It is important to note and give recognition to the many Israelis who stand side by side with Palestinian protestors in order to express disagreement with such indignities as the construction of the wall.

While the population of Israel takes on the psychological development of a spoiled child, the Palestinians take on the psychological development of the abused child. Palestinian existence is defined with an element of hopelessness, as there does not appear to be an end to the abuse in sight. When Palestinians choose to lash out violently, the abuse only gets worse and hope becomes increasingly dimmer.

The Israeli mindset does not allow for the possibility for a “just peace” to develop. Palestinians are currently negotiating for land that has been taken illegally in order to have viable borders along side Israel. Although this concept does not make any sense, Israelis are given the false perception that they have a right to the land taken illegally. It is crucial to take notice how this mindset determines the entire outlook of the conflict. If consideration is taken for such Israeli demands as keeping possession of stolen land, Palestinian interests of a resolution for the refugees of 1948 are rendered unmentionable in negotiations. Palestinians have already recognized the loss of over 60 percent of mandate Palestine, why should they be forced to negotiate over parts of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem?

Those who are protesting the Gaza pullout should be ignored. They must recognize that the land they have been living on was taken illegally. When Palestinians were uprooted from their homes in 1948 they were not provided with funds to assist their relocation. Presently the majority of the refugees and their descendents are living in refugee camps struggling to survive. The Israeli settlers should be delighted with the moderately large payoff they will be receiving from the government in order to help their relocation rather then engaging in essentially a temper tantrum.