Thursday 2 September 2010

Israel - some observations

Having tried to put this as a response to a comment I found it was too large so here it is as a post:

Let's start with the ruling regarding the blockade of shipping in international waters of certified as 'safe' shipments to Palestine or the building of settlements - both of which have been cited in the press and elsewhere.

Or there's the shelling of the UNHCR establishment during the last 'conflict' - which received notice and placed Israel's allies in a bit of an embarrassing position as a result.

Like you, I don't expect Israel to be whiter than white or squeaky clean but as someone who has a military background, I do expect LOAC (Laws of Armed Conflict) and the various conventions (Geneva and others) to be complied with. Sadly, this is not always so (note that I'm being kind, some I know would have said 'never'!).

So breaches of international law. We deal only with Israel here, but Palestinian are also guilty - but it's not tennis is it? You asked about Israel:

There's the ICJ (International Court of Justice ruling over Occupied Palestinian Territory (2004/28);

There's the breaking of the Oslo Declaration, of which in 1993 Israel was a signatory. Explicitly, Article 31, Clause 7, states: "Neither side shall initiate or take any step that will change the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip pending the outcome of the permanent status negotiations."

This has obviously been broken and is therefore a breach of law which renders the actions illegal.

It has been upheld that the acts of 'settlement' is, and should be considered to be a breach of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva convention.

There's the fun reading of the shelling on the UN HQ in Gaza (Jan 2010).

And of course, a favourite of mine is the saga of Modecai Vanunu and if there's time, why not peruse http://bit.ly/cbxUM4 and read the report there too!


All grist to the mill - and remember I'm not defending Palestine, just pointing to the many areas that add together to make me concerned at the acts and worried at the way so many Christians will gloss over facts for a 'greater' cause (please note that I am not accusing you of this Mark - it's not a personal attack and isn't meant to be taken as such - just checking :) ).

I hope this helps others to understand my thinking a little more,

V

2 comments:

UKViewer said...

Vic,

At one time, I would have supported Israel whole heartedly, particularly during the 60's and 70's when they seemed to have their backs to the wall facing the Arab nations and terrorism.

However, their actions in the occupied territories, in Lebanon and elsewhere have changed that view considerably.

There seems to have been a change from a defensive posture to one of active expansion and aggression against their Arab neighbours which seems to me to be indefensible and totally unjustified.

Certainly Hamas and other terrorist (freedom fighters dependent upon your view) organisations have stoked up the pressure on Israel, but they are living under siege, what other option do they have?

It is about time that the War Crimes Tribunal investigated what is going on - but of course the USA would not like that!

If there is a crucible for the next world war - it is there in Palestine.

Vic Van Den Bergh said...

All a bit Armageddon (out of here) stuff, isn't it?

;)