
Israel continues to transform the physical and demographic landscape of occupied Palestinian territories towards a fundamentally “Jewish state.” The Israeli cabinet has even voted in favor of a motion aimed at anchoring what it calls a "Jewish state" in law.
The new development is an extension of efforts over the past decades to change the demographic makeup of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) by constructing illegal settlements, destroying historical sites and expelling the local Palestinian population.
Other measures include revocation of residency rights, changing Arab into Jewish zones, construction of the West Bank separation wall, takeover of Palestinian homes by settlers, demolition of Palestinian homes, and replacing Arabic place names with Hebrew names.
While much of this has been accomplished through the violent expulsion of Palestinians during times of “war,” the Judaization of Palestine has relied equally on illegal measures taken during times of “peace” and “peace talks,” mainly extension of municipal boundaries, bureaucratic and legal restrictions on Palestinian land use, disenfranchisement of Palestinian residents, and expansion of settlements in “Greater Jerusalem.”
It is true the United Nations has criticized Israel for this in several resolutions. All legislative and administrative measures, which have altered or aim to alter the character, legal status and demographic composition of Al-Quds, have been described by the UN as "null and void." But there is one problem: The United States has vetoed all these resolutions at the Security Council.
It is also true that the European Union says Israeli actions weaken the Palestinian community. According to the EU, demolitions are illegal, serve no obvious purpose, have severe humanitarian effects, and fuel bitterness and extremism. But again, there is one problem: The EU never tries to put these beautiful words into action.
Quite the opposite, we hear less in the West about criticism of Israel or the daily humiliation of an entire population, and more about military and diplomatic support for Israel’s “security” concerns. That silence is intentional though. Israel has barred independent journalists from entering the occupied territory because it knows with Western support it is an exception to international law.
The irony is that while they proclaim all peoples in Palestine have a right to security, successive American-European governments have only condoned Israel’s systematic violation of Palestinian rights: It was the Bush administration that acquiesced to continued settlement activity in large blocs to be annexed by Israel in any future agreement with the Palestinians. It was also the US and the EU that together “criticized and endorsed” the Israeli wars on Gaza.
So the time for the international community to assume its responsibilities has to be now. They must insist on the inviolability and universality of human rights, and call for an immediate change in Western policy toward Palestine. They must also call on the UN to demand an immediate stop to the Judaization of Palestine.
At a time when nearly half a million Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and East Al-Quds in 120 colonies that are illegal under international law, and at a time when the Judaization of Palestine is in full swing, it is a historic blunder on the part of the UN to talk about dividing a land that Tel Aviv is still busy developing it!
GMT 13:52 2018 Friday ,14 December
Israeli troops arrest dozens in West BankGMT 13:47 2018 Friday ,14 December
Lebanese wary as Israel destroys Hezbollah border tunnelsGMT 13:35 2018 Friday ,14 December
Yemen’s security committee discusses regulation of arms possession in AdenGMT 21:00 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Cabinet approves deal on migration challenges in EgyptGMT 20:54 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Jordan braces for more anti-austerity protestsGMT 12:58 2018 Thursday ,13 December
21 Daesh militants escape Iraqi jail, most recapturedGMT 12:47 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Attacker stabs Israeli forces in Jerusalem's Old City, shot deadGMT 15:35 2018 Wednesday ,12 December
Qatari embassy celebrates national day
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor