The Palestinian Authority is making a bid to have the United Nations recognise it as a sovereign state during this current session of the United Nations General Assembly. Predictably the United States is opposing the bid and will veto it in the Security Council. But more than 100 countries already recognise Palestine as a state and will likely support the bid.
It has to be said that not all Palestinians themselves support the bid for statehood. Here is one of the best explanations why. It is not the same reason as why the US isn't supportive.
Whatever it is, the occupation of Palestine by Israel continues to be a thorn in the side of world peace. If anyone regards it as morally correct and just, then read what a former Israeli soldier has to say about it:
Noam Chayut: Israeli occupation is neither moral nor legitimate
Thursday, 22 September 2011
In 1979, the year I was born, the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank was 12 years old. I was 10 during the first Palestinian uprising, when my father and his comrades in a reserve unit forced innocent Palestinians out of their homes and shops and, as a form of collective punishment, sent them to clean the streets of graffiti opposing Israeli occupation.
When I joined the army, the 30th anniversary of occupation was being "celebrated", and three years later, as a young officer, I was sent with my soldiers to confront the second intifada. In one month of riots we killed a hundred Palestinians and many more were wounded by live ammunition.
We were told that our goal was "to sear into the consciousness of Palestinian civil society that terrorism doesn't pay." To achieve this, we were to "demonstrate our presence". This meant entering Palestinian residential areas at any time, day or night, throwing stun grenades, shooting in the air or at water tanks, throwing tear gas grenades, creating noise and fear. For the very same reason, we committed revenge attacks such as demolishing the homes of terrorists' families, or killing random Palestinian policemen (armed or unarmed): an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If militants attacked a road, we would close it to Palestinian traffic; if stones were thrown at cars on a road, we would place an indefinite curfew on the closest village.
The Israeli military regime over the Palestinian population is now in its 45th year, and while Palestinian violence has dramatically declined, Israeli soldiers still testify about being assigned to "disrupt the day-to-day routine" in Palestinian areas to create in the local community the feeling of "being constantly pursued".
It is still unclear what the Palestinian leadership will propose to the UN tomorrow, beyond recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. We don't know if, or how, the outcome of any vote will be felt on the ground. However, testimonies from more than 750 former Israeli soldiers and officers who have served in the Occupied Territories over the past decade, make one thing clear: from the point of view of the Israeli army, the occupation is not a temporary means of controlling the population. There is no end to it in sight.
Those who oppose the recognition of a Palestinian state cling to a false belief that Israel's occupation is temporary, its aim to create political space for democratic rule in a future Palestine. This belief is what makes the occupation morally tolerable. Because if an occupation is a permanent one, it can only be illegitimate, not just because the ruler is foreign, but because controlling people via coercion and military orders is immoral.
Even if we accept that a 44-year-long occupation is still temporary in a 63-year-old state; if we ignore the reality of hundreds of thousands of Israeli Jews settled in Palestinian territories, or the existence of two separate and unequal legal regimes imposed on the two ethnic groups in the same small piece of land, it is hard to remain optimistic about Israel's intentions to evacuate, when we hear its soldiers' reports to Breaking The Silence, an NGO which collects their testimonies.
We should accept the fact that the army does not intend to withdraw from the Occupied Territories, and that the status quo is the Israeli government's plan for the future. We should take the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs – who lives in a settlement on Palestinian land – at face value when he declares there won't be peace even in 50 years.
When security and prosperity continue to flourish for "us", while liberty and freedom are continually withheld from "them", it is difficult to think of any other non-violent action the Palestinian leadership can take besides seeking international support for ending the Israeli occupation.
The writer is a former Israeli army officer and member of 'Breaking The Silence', an NGO which gathers and publishes testimony from soldiers and works in partnership with Christian Aid to expose the realities of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories
When I joined the army, the 30th anniversary of occupation was being "celebrated", and three years later, as a young officer, I was sent with my soldiers to confront the second intifada. In one month of riots we killed a hundred Palestinians and many more were wounded by live ammunition.
We were told that our goal was "to sear into the consciousness of Palestinian civil society that terrorism doesn't pay." To achieve this, we were to "demonstrate our presence". This meant entering Palestinian residential areas at any time, day or night, throwing stun grenades, shooting in the air or at water tanks, throwing tear gas grenades, creating noise and fear. For the very same reason, we committed revenge attacks such as demolishing the homes of terrorists' families, or killing random Palestinian policemen (armed or unarmed): an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If militants attacked a road, we would close it to Palestinian traffic; if stones were thrown at cars on a road, we would place an indefinite curfew on the closest village.
The Israeli military regime over the Palestinian population is now in its 45th year, and while Palestinian violence has dramatically declined, Israeli soldiers still testify about being assigned to "disrupt the day-to-day routine" in Palestinian areas to create in the local community the feeling of "being constantly pursued".
It is still unclear what the Palestinian leadership will propose to the UN tomorrow, beyond recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. We don't know if, or how, the outcome of any vote will be felt on the ground. However, testimonies from more than 750 former Israeli soldiers and officers who have served in the Occupied Territories over the past decade, make one thing clear: from the point of view of the Israeli army, the occupation is not a temporary means of controlling the population. There is no end to it in sight.
Those who oppose the recognition of a Palestinian state cling to a false belief that Israel's occupation is temporary, its aim to create political space for democratic rule in a future Palestine. This belief is what makes the occupation morally tolerable. Because if an occupation is a permanent one, it can only be illegitimate, not just because the ruler is foreign, but because controlling people via coercion and military orders is immoral.
Even if we accept that a 44-year-long occupation is still temporary in a 63-year-old state; if we ignore the reality of hundreds of thousands of Israeli Jews settled in Palestinian territories, or the existence of two separate and unequal legal regimes imposed on the two ethnic groups in the same small piece of land, it is hard to remain optimistic about Israel's intentions to evacuate, when we hear its soldiers' reports to Breaking The Silence, an NGO which collects their testimonies.
We should accept the fact that the army does not intend to withdraw from the Occupied Territories, and that the status quo is the Israeli government's plan for the future. We should take the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs – who lives in a settlement on Palestinian land – at face value when he declares there won't be peace even in 50 years.
When security and prosperity continue to flourish for "us", while liberty and freedom are continually withheld from "them", it is difficult to think of any other non-violent action the Palestinian leadership can take besides seeking international support for ending the Israeli occupation.
The writer is a former Israeli army officer and member of 'Breaking The Silence', an NGO which gathers and publishes testimony from soldiers and works in partnership with Christian Aid to expose the realities of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories
Marina,
ReplyDeleteThat is the Beauty of Israel that there are conscientious objectors who have not been silenced or murdered by their Brethren or arrested under some ISA act. Their beliefs maybe misguided i.e. If Israel gives up more land Arab Palestinians will extend an olive branch of peace.
Marina you push the 'Soft' Jihad and your Dad focuses on the 'Hard' Jihad. De-legitimize the 0.5% of the land in the middle east so Arabs have everything. The Arab Invaders in Israel were once Ottoman Subjects who became Trans-Jordan Citizens who in-turn morphed into Palestinians. They are, will always be, Arabs. Same culture, same language, same religion and same attitude. Supernaturally brainwashed to Hate Jews by Islam.
I would likewise love to see someone the likes of Samir Kuntar show regret for murdering Jewish Settlers. Islamists determine when Peace Treaties are broken. I know what happened to the Banu Qurayza (Yathrib) , Banu Nadir (Khaybar) and even to the Quraiysh (Mecca). As my friend Hanan would say 'It is like a tiger cannot get rid of its spots. Facts are talking.' Israels neighbours are flaring up. They're itching to go to war soon. Remember Israel only has 8 million (Jews,Arabs,Christians) and are no match for 1.5 billion Muslims.
Peace Be With You In Jesus Name
Datin, don't you think it's a bit late harping on legitimacy & morality with regards to the Israel-Palestine Issue? Can it reach any good at this point?
ReplyDeleteI think the focus should be working on territory & not kicking out Israel because they are illegitimate & immoral. Why not Palestine work towards territory in a peaceful manner, get their land first. We should be looking at this from a pragmatic point.
For example; Aung San Su Kyi is working with the Juntas now. The PM is still a Junta favourite.
good read
ReplyDeleteD and Joshua, you might find this interesting:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newevangelicalpartnership.org/?q=node/139
Peace!
Joshua has a point. I do think compromises and sacrifices need to made to reach settlement of disputes.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me *both* sides do not want to compromise. So i think the disputed land should be occupied by United Nations, until both sides come to their senses.
But UN is simply not that strong i suppose. Even with 100+ countries supporting the palestinian statehood, UN still cannot move.
We can only keep trying i guess.
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them,
ReplyDelete"Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined,
and every city or household divided against itself will
not stand." ~ Matthew 12:25
It is in that spirit that i address the 'Open Letter to
Christian Zionists'. Evangelicals who want to reconsider
the Interpretation of Scripture i.e. the literal parts
and allegorize them are certainly welcomed. God Bless
Their Hearts in Jesus name. I've been praying over the Peace of Jerusalem lately and would like to share with you a dream i shared with my Jewish friends sometime ago. It seems to be the only way I can answer the 'Open Letter'. This is what the Lord has put apon my heart to share. You can call me crazy, etc,etc,etc.
I had a dream (last night). I was in Old Jaffa (Tel Aviv)
with 2 Israeli friends. They looked like Angels. Two Israeli
Guys and Old Jaffa looked vastly more beautiful and all the
buildings were interconnected all throughout. People all
around were chatting and having a wonderful time. Everyone looked so at ease, slim and in perfect health. My Israeli friend said he was bored and wanted to go downtown. We walked by a beautiful Israeli lady and she said also wanted to go downtown. I asked my friend where we are going to. He said we are going to 'Kitab Alham'. I know kitab stands for Holy Book i think Bible. I looked up Alham as i was not sure what it meant. Closest, i can interpret i think is God. They were speaking Aramaic but i'm pretty sure they were Israeli's because they certainly weren't dressed like Arabs. Long shorts and T-Shirts. I've been getting weird dreams lately. This reminded me of a verse in Acts 2:17
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c]
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a
man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know,..
Peace Be With You In Jesus Name
I say, Keep The Holy Books In The Cupboard and Keep away the Egoism too. Just focus on common good & practicality.
ReplyDelete1) Not enough blood has been shed. People have not tire of fighting yet. That is why there is no political will to negotiate, though there’s still enough political will to continue fighting. The desert sand will need to absorb more blood before both sides will tire, be ready to compromise and divide up the bloody sand and live in peace
ReplyDelete2) Israeli occupation of Palestinian land is illegal. But the Palestinians gifted their arch enemy a good reason to do so – by vowing to destroy Israel. I can’t understand why the Palestinians have presented the Israelis with a ready argument for occupying their land. It seems suicidal, not to mention a poor negotiating position.
3) A lot of by-stander nations egg both sides on by expanding the conflict into a religious and cultural conflict when it is simply a fight over land.