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)
