Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Trump Administration gets West Bank settlements legality right




Part of being politically grown-up is recognizing that politicians you find personally abhorrent occasionally make good and moral decisions. 

So let's put aside issues of motivation, implementation, and timing. 

The Trump Administration got West Bank settlements legality right.

Jews cannot “occupy” Judea and Samaria.

There has never been a sovereign Arab state in the West Bank (or in Gaza for that matter).

International law ought to be on the side of the Zionist movement – even if a raw majority of the United Nations General Assembly, says otherwise. Even if the EU says otherwise.

The conflict is not rooted in settlements or the “occupation” except to the extent that Arab leaders see Israel as one big settlement. 

No Arab leader (not even the most moderate) accepts the Jewish people have a right to a national home anywhere in the Middle East -- anywhere in Palestine.

As MK Benny Gantz tweeted I applaud the US government for its important statement once again demonstrating its firm stance with Israel and its commitment to the security of the Middle East. 

"The fate of the settlements should be determined by agreements that meet security requirements and promote peace.”

Amen.





For further reading:


Israel The West Bank & International Law by Allan Gerson (Cass)