"The Jews now living in Israel and other places in the world are not at all descendants of the ancient people who inhabited the so called Kingdom of
Judea"
True enough, but does that really matter? I think not. Israel was established by law and therefore is a legiimate nation. It really doesn't matter
where the peoples ancesteral roots are. Khazers? so what! Converts? So what! None of this matters because they indeed have a nice little country
established under the law. It is a fact and it is not going to change.
Now, having said that I have a few important points to make. Having been established under international law, Israel has an moral obligation to adhere
to international law. This is something the Israeli government has been loath to do since the very moment of it's inception. What are their
violations of international law? Well the major violations are.
Under International Law the following is forbidden
* Colonisation of occupied territory.
* acquiring territory through force of arms.
* forced transfering of the indigineous population
* genocide
In addition there have been over 160 UN Resolutions which Israel has totally ignored.
Israel had well established borders when they declared statehood in 1948. THOSE are Israels LEGAL borders. Anything beyond the 1948 borders are, under
International Law, ILLEGAL. Now, everyone talks about the 1967 armistice lines as the future border of Israel. Why? Why should Israel be rewarded for
breaking International Law. As a result of the war they had a legal right to occupy the land beyond the borders of Israel but NOT to colonise the land
and certainly not to dispossess the indigineous people of their land in order to colonise it.
Immediately after Israels declaration of statehood the Huganah ( The future IDF) Razed over 350 villages of the indigineous people, killing many
(genocide) and forcing the others to flee for their lives to other countries where to this day they live in refugee camps. (forced transfer)
Now, under international law these refugees and their decendants have the LEGAL right to return to their homes .(now occupied by Israelis) As a
CONDITION of UN recognition of Israel, Israel agreed to allow the refugees to return to their homes at the earliest possible time. Of course we now
know it was NEVER Israels intention to follow through with their agreement.
Today Israel makes the argument that allowing the return of the refugees would destroy the nature of a "Jewish State" Perhaps, but it would NOT
destroy the State of Israel! Israel insists on being recognized as a "Jewish State" (where non Jews are discriminated against) What if the US
decided to identify itself as a Christian State? (with all non Christians discriminated against) Do you think that would fly?
There is certainly a time to come when the Non Jewish population in Israel will be denied the right to vote because their numbers will have increased
to the point where a non Jew could concievably be elected Prime Minister. THIS is why Israel insists on being recognised as a "Jewish State" to
deny non Jews the right to vote for PM.
The solution to all this is not as complicated as you have been led to believe.
First there must be elections in Gaza and the West Bank to elect legal leaders as the present leaders terms have expired. The election should be
organised and monitored by the international community. THEN proper negotiations between the occupying power (Israel) and the leaders of the
indigineous people (Palestinians) could take place. Trade between the negotiating countries and the rest of the world should be suspended until an
agreement is reached. (Bet there is an agreement within 90 days) Perhaps the Palestinians will agree to extend Israels borders to the 1967 lines as
they have already said they are willing to do. But Israel should understand this would be a gift as Israels legitimate borders were established in
1948. The Palestinian state must be contiguous with true sovergnty. They should have control over their own borders with no interferrence from
Israel.
They probably will not require an army if they come under another countries "Umbrella". The "Right of Return" is an individual right that may not
be negotiated away. So either retroactively change the law or allow their return. Perhaps many will accept citizenship in another country or perhaps a
compensation package and waive their right. But unless the law is changed they have the RIGHT to return to their homes. Settlers will either become
citizens of the new State if Palestine or return to Israel. That would be up to the new Palestinian government since they are for the most part living
on land that is NOT theirs.
There is of course more to it than this and I do not want to be too simplistic but there is a solution and the world community must force it on both
parties.
If we allow a country to spit in the face of International law without consequences then the law will become meaningless. Any country today could
morally ignore International law by simply stateing "We will obey the law when Israel does' If Israel is not held accountable then why should any
country fear reprisal?
www.veteranstoday.com...