Israel Continues Illegal Occupation,
Taking of Palestinian Land
It has just recently been reported that the Israeli government, shortly following the cease-fire after its invasion in Gaza where almost 2000 Palestinians, the majority of them non-combatants, lost their lives, are continuing their illegal settlement expansion into the West Bank. According to New York Times report by Isabel Kershner, “Israel laid claim on Sunday [August 31st] to nearly 1,000 acres of West Bank land in a Jewish settlement bloc near Bethlehem.”
Such an action continues to violate international law, something the Israeli state has been doing with regards to the Palestinian territories, as UN resolutions have called against the taking land, whether in war or at any other time.
Many have condemned this latest taking of Palestinian land. For example, Kershner, cites the group Peace Now, who called these recent actions “unprecedented.” To many, this only shows that Netanyahu does not have a full commitment to a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 War borders. In fact, Peace Now said as much, saying:
“Peace Now views this declaration as proof that Prime Minister Netanyahu does not aspire for a new ‘Diplomatic Horizon’ but rather, he continues to put obstacles to the two-state vision and promote a one state solution. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ya’alon are directly responsible to the declaration, which cannot pass without their approval.”
In addition, others, such as United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-Moon said he was “alarmed” by what Israeli leaders were doing, according to a UN spokesperson. This person was also quoted as saying:
“The seizure of such a large swathe of land risks paving the way for further settlement activity, which–as the United Nations has reiterated on many occasions–is illegal under international law and runs totally counter to the pursuit of a two-state solution.”
United States officials also spoken out against these latest Israeli “land grabs”. For example, one official said: “This announcement, like every other settlement announcement Israel makes, planning step they approve, and construction tender they issue, is counterproductive to Israel’s stated goal of a negotiated two-state solution with the Palestinians.” The official also went on to say that “We urge the government of Israel to reverse this decision.” And some within Israel, such as The Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, also sees the actions as “incorrect.” Specifically, she was quoted in the Irish Times as saying:
“The decision was incorrect. It was a decision that weakens Israel and damages its security.” She went on to say that: “We took a place that was not controversial and turned it into a place that was controversial.”
Others, such as Israel Finance Minister Yair Lapid also expressed concern, saying “Maintaining the support of the world was already challenging, so why was it so urgent to create another crisis with the United States and the world?”
The actions by those in the Israeli government who are responsible for this latest declaration only shows that regardless if there is peace or not, Israeli leaders such as Netanyahu, as well as other leaders (such as Economic Minister Naftali Bennett (who said these actions were a response to the kidnapping of the three Israeli teens) seem to have little interest in a peace settlement; such territorial expansion only runs counter to peace objectives in the region. Israeli leaders continued to make the argument that security threats are what is preventing a two-state solution, and yet, those in charge continue to do the very thing that has upset Palestinians; the illegal settlement expansion is detrimental to any hope of peace. And yet, throughout the recent invasion and subsequent statements, many supporters of Israeli policy on this issue continue to ignore or fail to mention the violations that are continuing to take place throughout the illegal Israeli settlement expansion.
