Britain: Israeli settlements are 'illegal' and 'obstacle' to peace

and you agreed with "the hypocrisy of the complaint by Arab/Muslim groups". In addition, the Muslim only road I showed you in Saudi Arabia along with Sharia Law practiced there was the illustration of true racism and discrimination. All I know is the Arabs in Israel 1) can have the same access to the legal system as any Jewish person. 2) They can write critical articles in a free press 3) and run for political office. None of which is true for Jews in most Muslim countries. So I return it to you, what's your point? I completely disagree that what's going on in Jerusalem has anything to do with Racism or discrimination. I look at it as survival.

You have been made aware that your comments on this subject are false. Why do you keep repeating them? Israel settlements on territory occupied in 1967 are illegal. Jews repeatedly report false facts about the Mandate. The Mandate was to establish in Palestine a national home for Jewish people, but said, clearly that nothing should be done which might prejudice civil or religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine. The word IRREVOCABLE was not in the Mandate.The Mandate, however, is irrelevant,because it expired on 14 May 1948, and from that date was no longer an instrument of international law, when Israel, under UN resolution 181, declared statehood. When Israel occupied the rest of Palestine in1967, and refused to withdraw from occupied territory, it was in violation of UN resolutions 242,452 and 465. When it built in the West Bank and annexed Jerusalem it was in violation of articles 49,53, and 147 of 4th Geneva Convention and thus committing a war crime.

Thanks, for your response, which was expected. Mark L. writes: "You seem, however, to have missed an important point in that first definition: ". . .usually involving the idea that one`s own race is superior and has the right to rule others." M from G: No actually I didn't? hence my referral to Koranic Law(Sharia) denying non-Muslims equal rights. You apparently, are the one that missed the point! ML Writes: "Also, your attempt to justify Israeli racism by citing Arab racism is the classic Tu Quoque logical fallacy." M from G: Of course that is NOT what I did: "As usual the Arabs falsely accuse Israel of what they themselves are guilty of. RACISM." Note the word "falsely". You see ML I disagree with your statements about Israel and "discrimination" or that Israel "dispossessed" land. The fact is you prefer to champion the rights of an invented people(the Arab Palestinian) who actually thought of themselves as Syrian, over a real people with a real country.

If Pm Netanyahu wants PEACE negociations, then he must show that he is sincere. He must stop all settlements building, which he ,as an intelligent man should know, that you cannot build on the conquered territories of others, and still beleiving that you are doing the Palestinians a favour in stealing their lands. The Pm should demonstrate to the world that he means business when he said "I want to negociate" and the Palestinans are right to refuse WAISTING MORE TIME since 1967.

that ABBAS was laughing of them fruitless negociations. that Abbass step down passing the reign of Power to a more MILITANT young Blood, that Abbass was asking every Palestinians to accept,the Creation of a BINATIONAL State. that most of the Islamic countries waS FOCING HIM instead for UDI,( Unilateral Declaration of Independance ) That the world communities 2 countries were celebrating the long awaiting INDEPENDACE of the State of Palestine. That most of the Israelis too were quite happy of their new next door neighbor.

Come on Micheal they will call them self hating Jews...another new key word they use. Just remember you reap what you sow and as Israel was created by terrorism that Irhun and other perpetrated so will their demise come

And the pressure he supposedly exerted on Miliband, you might want to know that Obama lost two States to the Republican's, in other words "The old grey mare ain't what she used to be" Seems most of Obamas desires are'nt being fulfilled, includig his plea to Iran to kiss and make up I won't go the entire litany of what Obama has failed to accomplish, though if I would, I'd state with Obama Health Care You hear that Jack??

P: "Did I hear Chinese settlements are ilegal? Ofcourse not" No, of course not: Tibet is part of the sovereign territory of China. It simply isn't possible for you to "illegally colonize" your own territory.

Israel's own high court confirmed that Israel holds the West Bank in the legal status of an occupying power through war. By doing so, it confirmed that ALL the settlements are illegal because they breach the obligations of such an occupying power. End of story. Milliband's only saying what the whole world believes. It's just that he's honest enough to say it to Israel's face. Like Goldstone, it probably helps that he's Jewish because he can't be accused of anti-semitism.

little boy blue has not heard of the san remo convention 1920 and the 1922 mandate ?tretay of sevres , anglo- american convention britain is bound by these treaties !!

'...Clinton sought to control the damage, saying that her praise on Saturday for Israel's offer of restraint on settlements was aimed at encouraging moves toward dialogue.' Towards dialogue about what exactly? Certainly not a Palestinian state and peaceful coexistence. You can't negotiate handing over a cake once you've eaten it. Well, not unless your name's Alice and you've gone Through the Looking Glass.

Pardon me if I go far back to the time when the Crown was selling dope the the Chinese and suceeded in wresting "the Crown Colony of Hong Kong". Okay, it was a lease hold and they were forced to give it back to its owners. If I recall, too, I didn't hear any protests to the actions of the People's Republic of . . . in Tibet, what the British didn't say much the actions of the Indonesians in East Timor. Then too, what's gonna happen if the Scots and the Norweigians decide to take over their off-shore oil reserves, if, they are still relevant. Somehow the British forgot that they don't rule the waves anymore.

There is nothing illegitimate about Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria. The right of Jews to settle in the Land of Israel, and not only on one side of the Green Line, is not only based on the Bible and the history of the Jewish people, but has received international recognition in the League of Nations mandate for Palestine and U.S. approval in the Anglo-American Convention of 1924. This international recognition and the subsequent American approval have never been revoked. Insistence that certain areas in the Land of Israel be closed to Jews stands in opposition to these rights and the accepted values common to all Western societies.? (Moshe Arens, ?Great expectations and pious hopes? June 2009)

" Come now! Gather now! Here where the flower grow, White is the blossom as the snow on the Benn, Here, now! Freedom calls! We'll take a solemn vow, To fight by the Roses O' Prince Charlie! " Down with the illegal English settlements!

Actually you anti-Zionists are wrong about hte Zionist theory. The current one is that the Arabs will eventually evolve to the point that they will realize how their point is wrong, until they get a leader like ours, not claiming to want the entire Palestine under his power. Until then, we could create a temporary state for them (as Netanyahu is doing) until they get real. And that was for your information. You're welcome.

You provided us with sources indicating the demographics of Jerusalem over time. That is fine. Now, do us all a favor. Use your same sources to indicate the population of people - from the same Ottoman, Anglo sources you provided - to describe the demographics of ALL of Palestine (today Israel) as a whole. I'll give you a preview. 1850-1900, 95% Arab, 5% Jewish. By 1948, 70% Arab, 30% Jewish. And so forth.

Your statistics show that there has always been a considerable number of Arabs in Jerusalem - both Christian and Moslem. The fact that today the Jews prevent Christians and Moslems from even visiting the Al Aqsa and the Holy Sepulchre shows that Israel is not just in its occupation of the Holy City. The responsibility should be international.

Where in the so-called Arab world are the pre-Islamic civilizations and cultures? Answer that, and you will know the Arab speaks so intimately about racism and bigotry because they have so successfully implemented it in their history. Arabization and Islamization is perfectly acceptable, but any other idea or belief is completely eradicated through chauvinistic cultural, political, and psychological suppression, This is why the Arab is so upset with Israel, because what they once conquered, converted, and wholly dominated is out of their cultural control now and this is entirely unacceptable. They are willing to literally force entire populations to suffer for the purpose of their idea of international propaganda, for the whole purpose of religious and cultural intolerance.

I do not know a single Nation on earth which does not take an unilateral actions in its Capital. Jerusalem is the Capital of Israel and if sombody does not like it thats to bad

illegal.

David Miliband is a jew himself and has been pressured by obama to come out with this, do you get the message Israel?

If the Brits' words result in some kind of action (possibly with other EU countries) and Clinton's backtracking signals an effort to curb the colonization activities, Israel might be in for some rocky roads in the future. But, OTOH, talk is cheap and ...

I hope Egypt and Jordan get so fed up with Israel's arrogance and disrespect for the peace process and international law that they end diplomatic relations with Israel. Israel needs to be isolated in the hopes it will realize it is a pariah and eventually choose to act like other nations. I know it is a long shot, but nothing else seems to work.

and we know where the violence and hostility come from too...and guess what? It has little to do with Real Estate.

Only AntiSemites in the UK can spew this kind of crap. In history, they sided with the Islamist-Jihadists. Ergo, it is not surprising that Britain is becoming a colony of Eurabia.

Racism in Israel against the Arabs, Please tell me why so many Jrews hads to leave the Arab countries without their property.

1. For a very major part of the last two thousand years Jerusalem may have been a lot of things,but it wasn't a Jewish city. 2. I don't suppose you would appreciate the humor, but your purple prose sounds exactly like the way antisemites went on about Jews.

Rachel Rabin has a very valid point, and I would recommend THE MODERATOR

Now what if we take the census numbers of other cities inside Israel which show an Arab majority? Are you going to admit that they must not be israeli now?

After millions of meetings and conversations, the British, the rest of the EU and the US have been unable to convince the Arabs to accept a Jewish Israel. Just the opposite. The Arabs are waiting for the West to get rid of the Jews for them. So, don't give us Mr.Miliband this BS about obstacles to peace. It doesn't make a difference what Jews do, the Arabs reject a Jewish state. So, those Jews who believe strongly in the Torah will continue to settle the biblical Jewish homeland without reference to what everyone else thinks.

Settlements are "illegal" and an "obstacle" to peace. So how come Great Britain is in cahoots with France to prevent the Goldstone report from reaching the Security Council. It is the occupation and settlements which have caused the rocket barrage, and the intifadas. It is the same Great britain that gave the world the duplicitous and oyymoronic Balfour Decleration, which looked favorably on establishing a Jewish national home in Palestine without infringing on the rights of the Indigenous population"...

British settlements in Ireland are 'illegal' and 'obstacle' to peace

The was room for a second state, as provided by the UN Partition Plan You didn't want it and attacked Israel instead, trying to steal Israel's share You guys made your bed, then found it to be very lumpy

As a token of her appreciation to Prince Abdullah, she gave away 75% of the land allocated to the Jews Britain's prostituting her Mandate was really Illegal

Could the Egyptions be anymore hypercritical than to to accuse Israel of "taking racist steps" to rid E. Jerusalem of Arabs? They've got to be kidding! It's Egypt and all the Arabs who are racist for not supporting the Jewish State's right to exist and for historically ridding there own country's Jewish populations. Who are they to judge? This entire issue has NOTHING to do with 2 states or Arabs in E. Jerusalem or anything else that is normally discussed. It comes down to the Arabs unwillingness to accept Israel as an independent Jewish State on ANY piece or amount of land in the middle east. Moreover, the Arab despots, monarchs and leaders can continue to use Israel as a means to deflect public opinion onto something OTHER THAN there own despotic, corrupt, repressive domestic policies.

One `justice` for Israel, another for China. Using the same logic, they didn't bomb the rail tracks to concentration camps but fought the Germans to save themsleves for their own interests. UK should should be the last country to lecture us.

Mark, I agree with the hypocrisy of the complaint by Arab/Muslim groups even though I agree with them. However, your definition is what IS going on in Jerusalem. So not sure what your point is.

by yourself ,will you ? Besides your PEACE NOW wants pal "refugees" settling in Israel after giving up on WB too. MAKE LOVE NOW! (instead your perfidious screams)

That once the hand of Islam has graced a land with it's presence it is Islamic for eternity to do otherwise is racist by Muslim-Arab standards

"But what is the true meaning of this word?" - Mark from Georgia It is always nice to see another who knows the meaning of words Mark from Georgia. You seem, however, to have missed an important point in that first definition: ". . .usually involving the idea that one`s own race is superior and has the right to rule others." The belief that Jews were given the land by God and have a right to dispossess other held by the settlers is in fact a perfect example of that racial superiority and the right to rule others. And a the entire second definition fits as the government clearly has"a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination," against Arab residents of East Jerusalem and the Occupied Territories. Thus you should be applauded for knowing that words have meanings, and chastised for failing to read your dictionary. Also, your attempt to justify Israeli racism by citing Arab racism is the classic Tu Quoque logical fallacy.

Jew were forced to leave syria, Jemen, Lybia, (partly) Egypt, Tunesia, Lebanon, etc: what do you call this "Islamic friendship"??

I challenge you to provide some sort of example of our so-called racism. We are the legal owners of the land, and those people had a legal court order along with their deed to the property. How is that racist? The Arabs assaulted the legal owners, yet at best both sides of racist, not even close. The Arabs from Morocco to Iraq have stolen the natives' lands and oppressed the natives until they either are ethnically cleansed or dead.

So that's how they saved the last of the remaining persecuted Jews!

that there wont be enough room for a second state

and tedll both sides no welfare until they have a working peace deal...would make it happen very fast

Very strange that the racist Egyptians should even mention this, after they kicked all the Jews out of Egypt and stole their assets and properties. If we're talking about war crimes trials, it's time to put the Egyptians, Libyans, Moroccans, Iraqis and others on trial for war crimes against the Jews.

Jews were a majority or plurality in Jerusalem, not the huge city, but the main part of the city from the mid 1800s or earlier until kicked out by Arabs. Check out the numbers: Population of Jerusalem until 1945 Year Total Muslim Jewish Christian % Jews 1844 15,510 5,000 7,120 3,390 45.9 1876 25,030 7,560 12,000 5,470 47.9 1896 45,420 8,560 28,112 8,748 61.9 1922 52,081 13,411 33,971 4,699 65.2 1931 90,451 19,894 51,222 19,335 56.6 1945 164,330 33,680 99,320 31,330 60.4 1. This figure is quoted widely on the Web and is apparently the Ottoman census figure. It is given for example here. 2. John Oesterreicher and Anne Sinai, eds., Jerusalem, (NY: John Day, 1974), p. 1 3. British Mandate Census of 1922 and 1931 4. Anglo American Survey, 1945

First, claims that Jews will be a minority in ?historic Palestine? the territory of the former British mandate are irrelevant. Israel took painful steps to disengage from Gaza for a reason. If a one state solution were to ever happen it would never include Gaza. Secondly predicting demographic beyond 20 or so years is foolish pseudoscience, no one could predict the massive wave of immigrants from Russia in the early 90?s or the rapid change in birthrates over the last two decades. For all we know major economic or environmental disasters could greatly alter the population or migration flows for reasons that have nothing to do with the political situation. Deciding policy on what might the population look like 80 years from now is like comparable to fundamentalist Christians stocking up for the mythical apocalypse.

In essence, by claiming E. Jerusalem as "Palestinan land" because E. Jerusalem was sucessfuly ethnically cleansed of Jews by Jordan in 1948, the Palestinians are seeking to retain the benefits of the past ethnic cleansing. Similarly,although many different and distinct Moslem empires had invaded Jerusalem,the Palestinians,as Moslems, although themselves the descendants of economic migrants in recent historic times, claim to be the heirs of any and all Moslem empires. Its yet another an example of Moslem arrogance.

So, does secretary Clinton says. One wonders if she is listening to herself? To declare that Israel has taken "unprecedented" steps regarding the Palestinians is a joke. The story does not change. The American government's position is stupid, blind, and phony.

"I think President Obama was absolutely clear. He wanted a halt to all settlement activity," Clinton told Al Jazeera television on Tuesday. "And perhaps those of us who work with him and for him could have been clearer in communicating that that is his policy, that is what we're committed to doing". Ouch! Hillary over-stepped the boss...

Israel is desperately trying not be to gobbled up by the Islamic hoard. Jerusalem is under siege by foreigners and Israel is trying to hold on to it's Capital city that has been such for thousands of years. When will the world stand up to the Islamic invasion? We beat them once in Vienna and now it's time to take a stand once again!

Yemen, which just ethnically cleansed its jewish population, after chasingn them out of their homeland in steps for the last 60 years. Hilary's desire to send aid to Yemen totally discredits her "Jewish settlement" criticism, and she can expect fierce opposition from Dems and Republicans alike in Congress when she tries to get $76 million of our tax bucks for for greasy Yemen bastards, who tried to blow up oneof our destroyers anchored in their harbor, and ardently support local native Bin Laden. Congress, unlike the Obama regime, recognizes hostile anti-American countries with phony "pro-American" dictators with their hands out, like Pakistan, Afganistan, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon... and Yemen. Congress won't approve a nickel for Yemen (except maybe after deducting the entire cost of resettling, supporting and educating its entire Jewish exile population). Watch

where you are wrong is in the fact that our extremists (settlers et al.) count on the forced departure of arabs due to expultions or imposed pressure of all sorts.

everythoing upto the jordan river belongs to isreal. palestians, agree and israel agrees to provide palestinians with full israeli citizenship. peace is here. ok settlers?

Isn't this the kettle calling the pot black? Egypt and other Arab enemies of Israel have spent the last hundred years trying to rid Israel and the region of Jews and they accuse Israel of doing the very thing they are guilty of!

In the case of Israel people who's ancesters lived in houses for hundreds of years were/are evicted for one reason. They just have the wrong religion. That is not racist but just as bad. (Would their ancesters stayed Jewish like the next village or street they could have stayed, no questions asked)

Israel has been building all over Jerusalem, East, West, North and South, ever since 1967. Why is such a big ruckus being raised now? Where was everyone in the '70s, the '80s an the '90s? Is it because now it is clearer than ever that Jews are living all over Jerusalem? Well, I've got news for you: Jerusalem has had a majority Jewish population ever since the mid-nineteenth century.

What do they hope to acheive by this?

demographics show that Jews outnumber Arabs 2:1.... History shows that Jerusalem has always had a greater Jewish population then any other demographic... how is the reaffirmation of Jerusalems Jewish identity rasist? Egypt is being belligerent...

In 2009: - 5.4M Jews and 1.5M Palestinians (Moslems and Christians) in pre-67 Israel; that?s 20% Palestinians - 5.9M Jews and 5.4M Palestinians in all of historic Palestine; that?s 48% Palestinians In 2017: - 23% Palestinians in pre-67 Israel - 50% Palestinians in all of historic Palestine In 2063: - 31% Palestinians in pre-67 Israel - 60% Palestinians in all of historic Palestine In 2097: - 38% Palestinians in pre-67 Israel - 67% Palestinians in all of historic Palestine We are a solid majority in pre-67 Israel for generations to come. We begin to be a minority in all of historic Palestine by 2017. Maybe it is us who must be terrified that there are no peace talks and that there is no peace on the horizon. Peace NOW!!! (maybe)

Need I say more. Israel treats Palestinians in Israel better than Egypt and Jordan ever will. Israel made them citizes. Something Egypt and Jordan did not do.

The trouble with condemning one side as racist, it overlooks that the other side is also racist. That the demographics war is being conducted by both sides. How often these talkbackers see us as the good guys, pure white, and the other guys as bad and evil; while the truth is both sides are racist (I noticed this in Turkish and Armenian talkbackers too re: their conflict).

Where ever Islam goes, they change the demographics of cities and countries. In fact before Islam changed the demographics of Egypt, Egypt was actually Christian, hence the Coptics. So whats good for the goose, is just as good for the gander. Jerusalem was, is, and will remain a predominantly Jewish city.

Here we go again! The merits of this kind of case we ultimately be decided in an Israeli court. Whether or not the activities are legal? But what is the true meaning of this word? Racism: 1) " a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others." 2) " a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination." Here is a TRUE example of #2 above: http://www.tomgrossmedia.com/SaudiArabia.html In addition Koranic law doesn't even allow Non-Muslims to testify in court, why?they're not good enough! As usual the Arabs falsely accuse Israel of what they themselves are guilty of. RACISM.

...during her recent unfortunate foray to Jerusalem... Her "unprecedented" declarations to the Pals reached the nether limits of condescension...