www.humanrights.cn/en/UNHRC/W0200706304458645...
 
 

Who is demonizing who?

 By Ben-Dror Yemini

 The New Israel Fund is angry. It thinks it is okay to cooperate with the
 Goldstone commission, even though the commission was formed by an automatic
 majority of the benighted countries that control the UN Human Rights
 Council. It thinks it is ok to disseminate the resultant unsubstantial and
 unsubstantiated accusations against Israel. It thinks it is okay to take
 part in the demonization campaign being staged by certain of its NGOs. And
 it is absolutely legitimate, in a democratic country, to do all these
 things.
 But there is something else that is also legitimate: To reveal the truth
 about the fund and the groups that falsely claim to be human rights
 organizations. If some of the political organizations supported by the fund
 do not recognize the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish and democratic
 state, don't cry human rights.
 Tell the truth: the denial of rights is to Jews only. The Palestinians have
 a right to a state of their own, as do the Croats, the Hungarians, the
 Czechs, the Slovaks and other nations - but not the Jews.
 The New Israel Fund supports, for example, the Zochrot organization. This is
 a nonprofit organization that openly strives to destroy Israel by means of
 the 3right of return.2 Not that there is any such right, and not that there
 ever was a precedent for a mass 3return2 after a population swap in the wake
of war - but this does not bother the New Israel Fund. It will always jump
 in under the slogan of human rights.
 This doesn't mean Israel is exempt from criticism. After all, out of the
 hundreds of allegations, there are a few of substance. But if many sane
people are coming to loathe the human rights organizations, it's not because
 they loathe human rights. Just the opposite! It's because the sane majority
 is fed up with 'human rights' becoming the weapon of benighted forces.
There are a million and one offenses to human lives and human rights in the
 world. Israel, as a state in conflict, offends less than all others. This is
 backed up by numbers. Yet Israel is the one taking the brunt of the
 criticism. This is called demonization, delegitimisation and obsession. So
 the attacks on Israel are not in defense of human rights, but rather an
 orchestrated campaign in the service of Iran and Hamas.
 
 HOW IS it that many, mainly Jews, support the New Israel Fund? How is it
 that they enable this systematic campaign that pretends to be humane? They
 are not anti-Semites. They are people with good intentions. After all, the
 rhetoric is about human rights and minorities. Jews are sensitive to that.
 And it's good that they are. Most of them simply don't know. Most of them
 sincerely and truly want for Israel to be more enlightened and advanced,
 while being stricter about human lives and human rights.
 But they do not know that some of the money goes to other goals.
 Prof. Naomi Chazan, who heads the NIF, is not a hater of Israel. But what
 happened to the fund is exactly what has happened to innumerable
 organizations that deal with the discourse of rights.
 Human rights organizations can earn back our trust. They must genuinely
 support human rights, not organizations that work to deny Israel's right to
 exist.
 
 The writer is an Israeli journalist and a regular columnist at Maariv, where
 an earlier version of this article originally appeared.

 

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A Perspective on the Question:

What is the Middle East Conflict about?

 

The conflict is spiritual. It is played out by actors who represent two different worlds or spiritual kingdoms. One group of actors believe the word of God as He has spoken; the other group, pays allegiance to another god... whom they believe cannot speak, move and interact with humans... therefore this group of people cannot accept the arguments of the former group that God gave them the land.

Genesis 12 (Amplified Bible)

 ¹NOW [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father's house, to the land that I will show you.^(A)

    ²And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].

    ³And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and ^[a]curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves].^(B)

    ⁴So Abram departed, as the Lord had directed him; and Lot [his nephew] went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

    ⁵Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the persons [servants] that they had acquired in Haran, and they went forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,

    ⁶Abram passed through the land to the locality of Shechem, to the oak or terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

    ⁷Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, I will give this land to your posterity. So Abram built an altar there to the Lord, Who had appeared to him.

    ⁸From there he pulled up [his tent pegs] and departed to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.

    ⁹Abram journeyed on, still going toward the South (the Negeb).

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2012&version=AMP)

The portion of Scripture above shows that God did not only speak but He makes a choice... He chooses Abraham and He gives him the land of Canaan, known today as the State of Israel to Abraham and his descendants, specifically the Jewish people.

The other group, the Arabs also claim to be descendants of Abraham... I guess some of the tribes are... but we must not forget that even in Abraham's time there were people existing in this part of the world... consequently, not all peoples in the Middle East are truly born of Abraham. Moreover, the inheritance was solely Isaac's.

 ⁵And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.

    ⁶But to the sons of his concubines [Hagar and Keturah] Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them to the east country, away from Isaac his son [of promise].

    ⁷The days of Abraham's life were 175 years.

Genesis 25 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2025&version=AMP)

The Arabs have used wars and negotiations to make gains on the Israelis. They rely on the arguments: such as Arabism- the region is Arabic in nature. They also appeal to modern history, international law, utilise revenues gained from oil sales to gain international influence- leverage, they label Zionism- racism and publicly make declarations of their goal to destroy the people of Israel thus ridding the world of Jews.

The goal of the Arab actor is to bide for time so that they came gain advantage over Israel, inter alia, military, international support, etc. When they do strike Israel, they hope to weaken this "Western entity", so that they will go to the negotiation table, if they decide to do so, as a power, not a weak partner. Hence, the ongoing military strikes by Iranian proxies namely Hamas and Hezbollah. This is to imitate the Egyptians who continue to claim victory over Israel following the Yom Kippur War in 1973. The Egyptians, today say that having won that war it enabled them to go the negotiations with the Israelis as a strong partner and thus it was their strength that enabled them to secure the Sinai. Today, the Egyptians speak of this event with incredible pride. It therefore, must be in the minds of their other Arab brothers… that Israel can be defeated. Thus, this perception provides the motivation in helping them to work tenaciously to bring down the State of Israel.

Have no doubt this is the heart of the Arab-Israel conflict. This region is destined to remain in a state of war until the unfolding of the ultimate conflict which is still to come; the invasion of massive armies which include the Russians, the Chinese and their allies. Their goal is the same: to ultimately destroy the People of the Book, God's Chosen, the Children of Israel, the State of Israel.

In times of war in this part of the world, there will be signs and wonders manifested by the influence of demonic powers. There will also be the glorious salvation of the Jews by the Lord Jesus, Himself.

Revelation 20

 ¹And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. ²He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. ³He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%2020&version=NIV)

Furthermore, John tells us of a great event he sees, one that is to come: ¹¹I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. ¹²His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. ¹³He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. ¹⁴The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."^[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
       KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

 ¹⁷And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, ¹⁸so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great."

 ¹⁹Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. ²⁰But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. ²¹The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Revelation 19: 11-21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%2019&version=NIV)

Finally, the portion above speaks of the "mother of all battles" in the Middle East. The ongoing conflict is spiritual. The end of the conflict will be dealt with spiritually. There is already news on the upcoming battle, (see above) and the story ends with the Lord of lords coming in person to fight for the cause of His people, Israel.

Cherub Angela Nicholls

 

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To recognise the Faithfulness of God, watch His Relationship with Israel

Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

(Joshua 21:45, New International Version,http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua%2021:%2045&version=NIV)

a) God's Promise kept... The Jews are back to stay.

 

Jerusalem

http://www.jerusalemshots.com/b/uploaded4/0813040322_1.jpg

So the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there.
(Joshua 21:43, New International Version, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua%2021:43&version=NIV)

b) Jerusalem, all of Jerusalem is God's...
¹² The LORD will inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.
¹³ Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling. (Zechariah 2: 12-13 (New International Version - UK,
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=zechariah%202:12-13&version=NIVUK)
 

 
Mount Zion, Jerusalem
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/148490628_68c93a8dc4.jpg)

c) God Loves His people, Israel
He has helped His servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
(Luke 1:54, New International Version,http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%201:54&version=NIV)


Jewish men pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem
(http://mecadserv1.technion.ac.il/public_html/ESDA08/images/
Men_praying_at_Western_Wall_tb_n010200.jpg)

Finally, Joel declares that the Lord will be jealous for His land and take pity on His people (2:18). God will never forsake Israel. Just keep watching Him work on their behalf. Put your trust in this God, the God who is above all gods. He will help you, too.
Cherub A. Nicholls

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The Words of the God of Israel:
The Sovereign God to the Nations
 
Isaiah 45
 ¹⁸For thus says the LORD, who ^(AY)created the heavens (He is the God who ^(AZ)formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a ^(BA)waste place, but formed it to be ^(BB)inhabited),
         "I am the LORD, and ^(BC)there is none else. 
    
(Jerusalem, http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/imagedb/187216537.jpg)
¹⁹"^(BD)I have not spoken in secret,
         In some dark land;
         I did not say to the ^(BE)offspring of Jacob,
         '^(BF)Seek Me in a waste place';
         I, the LORD, ^(BG)speak righteousness,
         ^(BH)Declaring things that are upright.
    ²⁰"^(BI)Gather yourselves and come;
         Draw near together, you fugitives of the nations;
         ^(BJ)They have no knowledge,
         Who ^(BK)carry about their wooden idol
         And ^(BL)pray to a god who cannot save.
    ²¹"^(BM)Declare and set forth your case;
         Indeed, let them consult together
         ^(BN)Who has announced this from of old?
         Who has long since declared it?
         Is it not I, the LORD?
         And there is ^(BO)no other God besides Me,
         A righteous God and a ^(BP)Savior;
         There is none except Me.
    ²²"^(BQ)Turn to Me and ^(BR)be saved, all the ends of the earth;
         For I am God, and there is no other.
    ²³"^(BS)I have sworn by Myself,
         The ^(BT)word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness
         And will not turn back,
         That to Me ^(BU)every knee will bow, every tongue will ^(BV)swear allegiance.
    ²⁴"They will say of Me, 'Only ^(BW)in the LORD are righteousness and strength '
         Men will come to Him,
         And ^(BX)all who were angry at Him will be put to shame.
    ²⁵"In the LORD all the offspring of Israel
         Will be ^(BY)justified and will ^(BZ)glory."
 
Isaiah 45 (New American Standard Bible)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah%2045&version=NASB

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The Prophet Zechariah Foretold the Return of Jews to the Holy Land:
It is as he said...
 

Zechariah 8:1-23 (Amplified Bible)

Zechariah 8

 ¹AND THE word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying,

    ²Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath [against her enemies].

    ³Thus says the Lord: I shall return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the [faithful] City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain.

    ⁴Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again dwell in Jerusalem and sit out in the streets, every man with his staff in his hand for very [advanced] age.

    ⁵And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.

    ⁶Thus says the Lord of hosts: Because it will be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days [in which it comes to pass], should it also be marvelous in My eyes? says the Lord of hosts.^(A)

    ⁷Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save My people from the east country and from the west [the country of the going down of the sun].^(B)

    ⁸And I will bring them [home] and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and faithfulness and in righteousness.

    ⁹Thus says the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong and hardened, you who in these days hear these words from the mouths of the prophets who on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid foretold that the temple should be rebuilt.

    ¹⁰For before those days there was no hire for man nor any hire for beast, neither was there any peace or success to him who went out or came in because of the adversary and oppressor, for I set (let loose) all men, every one against his neighbor.

    ¹¹But now [in this period since you began to build] I am not to the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the Lord of hosts.

    ¹²For there shall the seed produce peace and prosperity; the vine shall yield her fruit and the ground shall give its increase and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit and possess all these things.

    ¹³And as you have been a curse and a byword among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong and hardened.^(C)

    ¹⁴For thus says the Lord of hosts: As I thought to bring calamity upon you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath, says the Lord of hosts, and I did not relent or revoke your sentence,

    ¹⁵So again have I purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Fear not!

    ¹⁶These are the things that you shall do: speak every man the truth with his neighbor; render the truth and pronounce the judgment or verdict that makes for peace in [the courts at] your gates.^(D)

    ¹⁷And let none of you think or imagine or devise evil or injury in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, says the Lord.

    ¹⁸And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me [Zechariah], saying,

    ¹⁹Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah times of joy and gladness and cheerful, appointed seasons; therefore [in order that this may happen to you, as the condition of fulfilling the promise] love truth and peace.

    ²⁰Thus says the Lord of hosts: It shall yet come to pass that there shall come [to Jerusalem] peoples and the inhabitants of many and great cities,

    ²¹And the inhabitants of one city shall go to them of another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray and entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek, inquire of, and require [to meet our own most essential need] the Lord of hosts. I will go also.

    ²²Yes, many people and strong nations shall come to Jerusalem to seek, inquire of, and require [to fill their own urgent need] the Lord of hosts and to pray to the Lord for His favor.

    ²³Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men out of all languages of the nations shall take hold of the robe of him who is a Jew, saying, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.

 

Amplified Bible (AMP)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah%208:1-23&version=AMP

   

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Don't forget to become an honorary citizen of Hebron: http://www.hebron.com/english/article.php?id=564   Tit for tat David Wilder September 16, 2009 At first glance, it seems ironic that the author of the scathing report dealing with Israeli 'war crimes' during the Gaza war, is a Jew. And not just any Jew. According to Goldstone's daughter, in an interview published by the Jerusalem Post, Richard Goldstone "is a Zionist and loves Israel."   As the proverbial saying goes, 'with friends like that, who needs enemies?!'   Goldstone reportedly slept during accounts of rocket attacks on Sderot, in south Israel. So related Sderot resident and media expert Noam Bedein on Israel radio this morning. However such accounts are totally irrelevant. When it comes to Jews, only one truth is viable. Jews may be attacked in any manner as the attacker deems fit; however, Jews may not dare to defend themselves, be it preemptive, during or post attack. Why? Because that's why Jews exist; for the world to blame for all problems, and later to take their frustrations out on them.   This simple truth has existed for at least two thousand years, if we prefer to ignore Biblical accounts of the Egyptian slavery over 3,300 years ago. Certainly since the advent of Christianity Jews have been a worthy scapegoat and have paid a price continuing thru the present: expulsions, forced conversions, mass murder, and more. Who today remembers the slaughters perpetrated by the crusaders, or the inquisition, pogroms in Eastern Europe? Of course, today, talking about the holocaust is almost considered to be trite or redundant. After all, how much can you keep saying about it, bringing it up at every opportunity, enough!   The state of Israel serves as a wonderful target for continued Jew-bashing. Perhaps one of the best examples, today so relevant, was Israel's attack against Saddam Hussein's mass killing machine, destroying his nuclear missile facilities in June, 1981. The United States blasted Israel for this attack. The United Nations Security council unanimously passed UN Resolution 487 which "strongly condemns the military attack by Israel in clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international conduct." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osirak]   This rule is playing out in front of our eyes, as international policy concerning the Iranian nuclear threat demands 'negotiations' and 'sanctions' prior to any attempts to physically destroy Ahmadinejad's weapons of mass destruction before they are activated and live. By that time, of course, it may be too late, but again, who cares? After all, it's only Israel's existence that seems to be at stake!   The Goldstone Report is only a continuation of an international principle which allows Israel to be attacked, and refuses to accept Israel's right to self defense.   But….   And here is a BIG BUT.   I believe that the drama unfolding before our eyes, such as the Goldstone report, is not the fault of the international community. It is, quite clearly and simply, our fault, the direct responsibility of the state of Israel and a direct result of Israeli policies.   How so?   Exactly nine years ago, tomorrow night, what is known as the '2nd Intifada' aka the Oslo War began, here in Hebron. Just after midnight Arab terrorists started shooting at the Jewish neighborhoods in the city. The source of the gunfire were the hills surrounding these neighborhoods, hills 'transferred'/abandoned to the Palestinian authority in January, 1997 with implementation of the 'Hebron Accords.'   The shooting also started in other areas of Judea and Samaria. Jerusalem's southern neighborhood, Gilo, came under attack from Bethlehem and Beit Jala.   The shooting continued for over two years, with the Barak/Sharon administrations refusing to properly defend its citizens against sustained, incessant attacks. Had the government ordered the army back into the areas and cities handed over to the PA the attacks would have ended immediately. Instead, the state's leaders watched as almost 1,500 Jews were murdered in cold blood by Arab terrorists. And the shooting continued.   But it should be remembered that, prior to this war, Gush Katif communities came under mortar fire day and night, for years. Thousands of mortars were shot at civilian and military populations. With virtually no effective answer from those who were elected to keep Israelis safe, wherever they were.   It also should not be forgotten the missile attacks against Kiryat Shmona and cities in the Israeli north, attacks which remained unanswered for years at a time.   And finally, how many rockets were shot into Sderot before the abandonment of Gush Katif, and how many following catastrophic expulsion and destruction of those communities. Thousands and thousands and thousands.   And let it not be said that the government didn't know, that they weren't warned. Only last week, at the lecture in Netanya: "A secret IDF Intelligence (AMAN) assessment warned as early as 1993 that the Oslo Accords would likely end with rocket attacks on Ashkelon, according to former AMAN Maj.-Gen. Yaakov Amidror. The politicians, however, were not interested. According to Amidror, who headed the IDF's Research and Assessment Division responsible for preparing the National Intelligence Assessment, the decision to go ahead with the Oslo agreements between Israel and the PLO terrorist organization was made without taking into account the military implications. The Rabin government "completely ignored" IDF assessments, Amidror claimed" [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/133328].   Writers, myself included, warned, year after year, of the deadly implications of Oslo, Hebron, Wye, Gush Katif. To no avail. But they knew, and did nothing.   In other words, Israel allowed itself to be attacked, without offering any real defense, any true attempt to stop the terror. That being the case, when, at long last, much too late, Israel finally decided to take action, our enemies, enemies from without and enemies from within, raised a red flag imprinted with a huge question mark: What happened – why now? What happened to you Jews? You know you're not allowed to defend yourselves. You know better. Don't you dare start now!   The state of Israel had withheld for so long, had restrained itself, had decided strategically not to protect itself, its citizens, and its cities, that any such action was viewed as bizarre and uncharacteristic. And with this, a great international outcry, coming on the heels of thousands of years of defenselessness. How dare you!!!   Approaching the holy days of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur we try to take stock of the events of the past year, to determine how to correct our errors in the future. At times we are forced to pay for our misdeeds; G-d takes account of our sins and, sometimes, treats us accordingly.   We are taught that one of the ways G-d deals with us human beings is, in Hebrew, 'mida c'neged mida.' Translated this means something like tit for tat. You get back the same as you gave. Ehud Barak, presently Defense Minister, nine years ago Prime Minister, fled from Lebanon and offered Arafat almost all of Judea and Samaria, including Jerusalem. He claims that the Goldstone report encourages terror. Tit for tat Mr. Barak. You did nothing to stop terror. To the contrary, you encouraged it by doing nothing about it, you let Jews die and tried to appease the terrorists by offering to abandon more of Eretz Yisrael.  Now you're getting it back in the face in the form of another Jew, blaming you for trying (and, by the way, not succeeding) to stop the terror, much too little, much too late. Mida c'neged mida.          comments

The Jewish Community of Hebron POB 105 , Kiryat Arba-Hebron 90100              hebron@hebron.org.il   Tour Hebron: Tel 972-52-431-7055 or write:  tour@hebron.com The Hebron Fund 1760 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11230 www.hebronfund.com  hebronfund@aol.com   718-677-6886                       Web: www.hebron.com Ma'arat HaMachpela: www.machpela.com  Gift shop:www.hebrongifts.com You too can Help Hebron -  http://www.hebrontruma.com To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Hebron list, simply email: hebron.mail-subscribe@hebron.org.il hebron.mail-unsubscribe@hebron.org.il

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An Israeli's Response to the Question of Settlements

http://www.flagid.org/vexphotos/israeli_settlement.jpg

This letter was written to the Jerusalem Post by Moshe Aumann, on the Question of Settlements in Israel. Mr Aumann is an experienced Diplomat, retired.

Sir, - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC's) M. Pierre Wettach (letter to the editor, Aug. 11) cites the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, prohibiting "the transfer of [parts of] the civilian population of the occupying power into the occupied territory," as grounds for labeling Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria (the "West Bank") illegal. These settlements, he avers, are "a form of population transfer into occupied territory."

The term "occupied territory" implies the existence of a legitimate sovereign state whose territory is being occupied. In this instance, since Jordan's claim to sovereignty in this territory from 1949 till 1967 was never internationally recognized (except by two countries, Britain and Pakistan), the only legitimate previous sovereign power that one can refer to in this area is Britain, in accordance with the Mandate given to it in 1922 by the League of Nations. Under the terms of that Mandate, Britain was charged, among other things, with encouraging "close settlement by Jews on the land." Jordan's invasion in 1948 did not alter that provision – which, incidentally, remains valid also under Article 80 of the UN Charter.

According to Prof. Eugene Rostow, "Israel has an unassailable legal right to establish settlements in the West Bank. The West Bank is part of the British Mandate in Palestine which included Israel and Jordan as well as certain other territories not yet generally recognized as belonging to either country. While Jewish settlement east of the Jordan River was suspended in 1922, such settlements remained legal in the West Bank."

The 1949 Geneva Convention thus is not applicable to Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria today. In addition to that, however, it manifestly does not fit the circumstances of the current situation, which does not and never did involve the transfer of civilians but, on the contrary, reflects a situation where civilians took the initiative in settling these territories, receiving government approval and support only at a later stage.

MOSHE AUMANN

Minister (Ret.), Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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