U.S. warns Israel, Palestinians: Avoid inflammatory actions in Jerusalem
Public Security minister tells the Knesset that Israel will raze Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem in the coming days despite the renewal of indirect peace talks.
By Natasha Mozgovaya and Jonathan Lis Tags: Israel news East Jerusalem Yitzhak Aharonovitch Middle East peaceFollowing Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch's statement on Wednesday that Israel will demolish Arab homes in East Jerusalem, the United States warned Israel and the Palestinians of taking inciting steps in Jerusalem.
"As we have said, if either side takes significant actions during the proximity talks that we judge would seriously undermine trust, we will respond to hold them accountable and ensure that negotiations continue."
Earlier on Wednesday, Aharonovitch said that Israel will demolish Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem in the coming days despite the renewal of indirect peace talks.
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. |
| Photo by: AP |
The State Department further emphasized the U.S. stance on Jerusalem and expressed faith in the success of the indirect negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel.
"Our policy on Jerusalem remains unchanged. The status of Jerusalem is an issue that should be resolved in permanent status negotiations between the parties. This underlines the importance of making progress in the proximity talks to enable the parties to move to direct negotiations that will resolve this and other issues once and for all," said the U.S. official.
Aharonovitch made his remarks at Wednesday's Knesset plenum session, during which he said that demolitions had been postponed in recent months so as not to harm efforts by U.S. special envoy George Mitchell to get peace talks off the ground.
Aharonovitch, however, clarified that currently there is no order in effect instructing police to not to raze homes.
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Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch pictured in the Knesset in 2010. |
| Photo by: Emil Salman |
"As of right now, there is no directive for police not to implement the demolition orders," said Aharonovitch, adding that Jerusalem Police are prepared to deploy the forces necessary for the demolitions.
The minister also said that the demolitions were postponed because some in Israel's political echelons felt the timing was wrong. "If there was a postponement, it has now ended," he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said Israel plans to prioritize Jerusalem over other areas, during a special Knesset session marking Jerusalem Day.
Netanyahu also said, "There are those among us who lament the very day Jerusalem was liberated and the capital of Israel was freed from its stranglehold."
Netanyahu told the special Knesset session that "Jerusalem" and its alternative Hebrew name "Zion" appear 850 times in the Old Testament, Judaism's core canon.
"As to how many times Jerusalem is mentioned in the holy scriptures of other faiths, I recommend you check," he said.
Heckled by a lawmaker from Israel's Arab minority, Netanyahu offered a lesson in comparative religion from the lectern. "Because you asked: Jerusalem is mentioned 142 times in the New Testament, and none of the 16 various Arabic names for Jerusalem is mentioned in the Koran. But in an expanded interpretation of the Koran from the 12th century, one passage is said to refer to Jerusalem," he said.
"There is no undercutting, nor do I intend to undercut, the connection of others to Jerusalem," Netanyahu said.
"But I do confront the attempt to undercut and warp or obfuscate the unique connection that we, the people of Israel, have to the capital of Israel."
Construction in East Jerusalem has been a major sticking point between Israel and the U.S. since Israel infuriated Washington in March by announcing a major new East Jerusalem housing development during a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.
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Whoah ! I'll bet Israel is shaking all over because of this same Obama government that fails to strike fear into Iranian leaders and N. Korean leaders. Every country knows Obama is all mouth and ears . The Obama paper tiger doesn't intimidate anyone and Israel will continue to do what is best for Israelis. It is exactly this kind of arrogance and interference that is the reason that so many people around the globe hate the U.S. ! The U.S. Congress is spending the country into a second-rate power and even tiny Israel refuses to be intimidated.
If Israelis really need to destroy homes, do it in Israel not Palestinan East Jerusalem (al Quds)
"Glory to He (God) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque (al- masjid al aqsa), whose precincts We did bless" - Sura 17:1 This is the famous reference to "al-aqsa". That the reference was to the Jerusalem open space place of prayer ("mosque" in Arabic of the time) is clear, because in the Hadith (Islamic early traditions) Muhammad's widow tells of his night journey and refers to the place as Ilia (Capitolina, Jerusalem's name at the time). Also, already in the 7th century, not many years after, the al-Aqsa mosque was built in commemoration of the dream-event. Why would Muhammad refer to the place as the "farthest north"?Let us take a look at Psalm 48:2, "Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King". Everybody knows, and knew, that Jerusalem is not in the far north. In fact, it was in the middle of the country! But Canaanite mythology had their gods living on Mount Zaphon (North) near Turkey. The reverence towards the north was inherited by the Israelites and so was applied to Jerusalem. Muhammad picked it up, and the rest is history.
zion was never a city, Zion was and is a hil top that the thieves and criminals used to hide in. Israel is the root of all evils in the world but they use poor naive kurds or other people to do their dirty deeds just like the zioonist is using young American soldiers to fight for them so they can grab more of the Palestinians land, kill their babies, kidnap their teenagers and imprison tens of thousands of Arabs. Down with the blood sucking Zioonism.
and it really makes sense for it to do it in this way if you stop to think about. None of it's politicians has the political balls to come to a final status agreement, so what better way than to go all out to please the extreme right; knowing that the international community is growing increasingly adamant about a final status border based on that of 1967. They're forcing the issue. Well okay, its either THAT or they're completely clueless!
Why are my comments never published?
The Bible itself tells some history of Jerusalem before it was conquered by King David around 1000 BCE. Genesis 14 tells of a meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek King of Jerusalem: "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram to the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he [Abraham] gave him tithes of all." Note that Abraham recognized Melchizedek's priestly rank and gave him a tithe. Later in the Bible, with Jerusalem under Jewish rule, the historical figure of Melchizedek is still remembered. In Psalm 110, in what is thought to be a declaration during the coronation of the King, the MC (Court prophet?) declares "The Lord has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after in the manner of Melchizedek." It shows reverence for the pre-Israelite king of Jerusalem. Jerusalem did not start as a Jewish city, and there is no reason why it should end up as exclusively Jewish. Sharing it with the Palestinians who see themselves (justifiably) as descendants of the early residents, and view the Islamic religion (unjustifiably) as the religion of Abraham, will be historically correct and politically smart.
"Glory to He (God) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque (al- masjid al aqsa), whose precincts We did bless" - Sura 17:1 This is the famous reference to "al-aqsa". That the reference was to the Jerusalem open space place of prayer ("mosque" in Arabic of the time) is clear, because in the Hadith (Islamic early traditions) Muhammad's widow tells of his night journey and refers to the place as Ilia (Capitolina, Jerusalem's name at the time). Also, already in the 7th century, not many years after, the al-Aqsa mosque was built in commemoration of the dream-event. Why would Muhammad refer to the place as the "farthest north"?Let us take a look at Psalm 48:2, "Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King". Everybody knows, and knew, that Jerusalem is not in the far north. In fact, it was in the middle of the country! But Canaanite mythology had their gods living in Mount Zaphon (north) near Turkey. The reverence towards the north was inherited by the Israelites and so applied to Jerusalem. Muhammad picked it up, and the rest is history.
As a Christian and an American I am disgusted and troubled by the way our administration has treated Israel and Mr. Netanyahu. I stand with Israel and the Jewish people and its right to the lands promised by God including ALL of Jerusalem. There are many in the USA that love and stand with Israel.
"Netanyahu told the special Knesset session that "Jerusalem" and its alternative Hebrew name "Zion" appear 850 times in the Old Testament, Judaism's core canon" yet in the 21st. century there are people who belive in childish "fairy tales".
what makes america think they have the right to warn anybody. if the Israeis defend themseves it is seen as provocation. quit wasting our time telling us how much obama and his minnions are behind Israel when they are contantly backing the muslims against Israe.
and blaring oft repeated message with preceded by trumpets and followed by several anvil choruses would be insufficient to get through to Ed.
ed: "what makes america think they have the right to warn anybody" The USA understands that Israel's actions are illegal under int'l law, but it continues to protect Israel by using its veto. Now, BECAUSE that veto is a one-way street (the USA gains nothing) THEN the USA has every right to warn Israel that its patience is not endless. Israel ignores those warnings at its peril.
US is paying most of your budget, they have the right to tell you! Why don't you stop taking american billion of dollars and decide yourself - I suppose the policy of Israel would change dramatically without this money!
The article should also mention that the reason for the home demolition is that these houses have been built illegally. With no approval from the government with safety irregularities and no cooperation with the local representative, As an Israeli citizen, I'm obligated to built my house according to the rules and to pay the real estate taxes for it, hadn't i done so, and my house is to be razed as well. I would suggest Arab hatred of Israel has much less to do with Israel enforcing planning regulations, as does every other country, and more to do with the incitement in the education of Arab children to hate Jews.
Who controls the zoning? Is it it harder for an Arab to get a builidng permit than it is for a Jew? If construction is initially illegal, is it easier for a Jew to legalize the construction after the fact than for an Arab? The perception is that the system is rigged agaisnt Arabs. Is that true? You need to answer that question before you conclude that Israeils are just enforcing the rule of law.
Who controls the zoning? Is it it harder for an Arab to get a builidng permit than it is for a Jew? If construction is initially illegal, is it easier for a Jew to legalize the construction after the fact than for an Arab? The perception is that the system is rigged agaisnt Arabs. Is that true? You need to answer that question before you conclude that Israeils are just enforcing the rule of law.
Which is this: no other country seeks to impose its rules or to apply its real estate taxes to foreign territory. Israel (and you) insist that Jerusalem belongs to Israel, but that is simply regarded by the rest of the world to be meaningless presumption i.e. no matter how many times you stamp you feet and shout "Is too! Is too!" that hissy-fit is regarded as "null and void".
These points would be true, within Israel. The West Bank is not Israel, and so this whole line of reasoning is erroneous.
and it really makes sense for it to do it in this way if you stop to think about. None of it's politicians has the political balls to come to a final status agreement, so what better way than to go all out to please the extreme right; knowing that the international community is growing increasingly adamant about a final status border based on that of 1967. They're forcing the issue. Well okay, its either THAT or they're completely clueless!
and they think they can maintain it forever. Just how they propose to maintain it forever, they don't say. Maybe they think G-d will provide. Kind of frustrating since you can't engage or reason with someone who just refuses to focus. You can joke about them, though. A daughter brings home a Yeshiva bucha as a proposed son-in-law. Her father takes him into the den for a private conversation. "What are you going to live on?" he asks. "G-d will provide" answers the Yeshiva bucha. "How are you going to make a living?" "G-d will provide answers the Yeshiva bucha. When the father comes out, his wife asks him, "So, how did it go?" He answers, "Not very well. There was only one bright spot in the whole conversation. He thinks I'm G-d."
The Arab counties are responsible for paying compensation to the jewish who left or fled the Arab counties ,but the jewish do not have to paid compensation to the Arabs which left or fled the new state of Israel,!!?? . hummm.
Typical of Israeli tactics, whenever their is a chance for peace, it does all it can to incite hatred and thwart the peace process by implementing more draconian measures. It is no secret that Israel refuses to grant building permits to Palestinians in the occupied territories while at the same time it retroactively legalizes Jewish construction without permits, even in illegal outposts in direct violation of its previous commitments, so does the Israeli government really believe that they are fooling anyone but themselves?
At Camp David, Arafat walked out because Palastinian refugees would be allowed only into a Palastinain State and not a Jewish State. In the discussions between Olmert and Abbas, Olmert offered to take in a nominal number of Palastinains into pre-'67 Israel, and Abbas said that would not suffice. The hard question is whether Palastinans want a state on the West Bank and Gaza enough to resettle refugees in that state. Some commentators who support a two state solution have said that frankly, the answer is no and that Palastinians would not support a two state solution unless, in the Jewish counterpart, Arabs were able to eventually dominate demographically. That two state solution means one state for the Palastinians and the other state for the Palastinians as well. Those same comentators speculate that by doing nothing, Palastinains will end up in that demographic position anyway so why bother with a two state solution. You need to explore that thoroughly before reaching your conclusion that Israelis are missing an opportunity.
you are koshmar from Elm's street and nobody knows where to stuff this Eddy... May be you guys think that WWII gap in allied population is an opportunity to steal Ierushalaim?
If the Jews did not have a connection to Jerusalem, neither would the Christians or the Muslims. And so the Jewish connection is earlier and more significant.
There are 250,000 Arabs in Jerusalem, and Palastinain Arabs have Jerusalem as part of their identity. Who are you to tell them that your emotional connection is more important?
Islam will never allow the Jewish people to be a nation in any part of the earth. As long as the Jews are a nation especially in the middle east, Islam and their god have relevance because the Jews are back according to the holy scriptures as a nation once again.
The Law Firm of God Moses & Lieberman LLP, specializing in real estate law, is accepting new clients. We speak Khazari and all East European languages. Look us up in the Yellow Pages world-wide.
I think Israelis should understand that Israel is going to stand for trial if it continous this path. And then arab refugees and hamas is the least you should fear. In recent years a lot of people in the world have come to the conclusion that israel is run by an illegal band of robbers and war criminals.
Israel should get rid of US ties. And must get decision without negotiate with US.
Israel has decided that the final status, as of now, is that Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel. Like so much in the world of Israel's enemies, Jerusalem is only important because it was, for a time, under their control, during which time, they let Jerusalem fall into ruin. Now that Jerusalem has been revitalised at huge expense and effort by Israel, Israel's enemies simply want to seize Jerusalem and claim it as booty for Allah.
it is sad that Israel's ally has become an unally. But, Israelis: do what you must to protect the Jewish Nation and its treasure, Jerusalem. The American people, are with you.
Here we have the Prime Minister of Israel taking a stroll down fantasy lane all the while quoting stats from a book written by Jews for Jews so to support the unsupportable as has been made known umpteen times by the international community. Whether to laugh or cry doesn't suffice for this one.
How often do we hear from the Arab camp that Jews have no real connection to Jerusalem? They're newcomers. They're really Khazars. It's always been Arab, and so on. Well, if Arabs want respect for their attachment to Jerusalem, they should be willing to respect Jewish connection to it. If Arabs want to deny the validity of Jewish attachment to Jerusalem, then their own attachment is equally worthless. After all, it's just dirt and stones, and dirt and stones only have meaning if you put it there. Sharing Jerusalem means that you respect the Other and their identity. If Arabs and their supporters are not willing to respect Jewish identity and attachment, then why are they entitled to any respect for their own identity and attachment.
The issues there shouldn't be pre-judged by creating factson the ground but by negotiations with the Germans.
If you want to turn Breslau into Wrolclaw and Konigsberg into Kaliningrad, you'd better have all of the Allied boots on the ground and at your disposal, and you'd better have beaten your opponant into unconditional surrender. No namby pamby half way measures like 14 points and an 11/11/18 armistice either. It must be endless seas of rubble and long trails of fleeing refugees. (It helps to starve the ones who stick around.) If you're not able or willing to pull that off, you might want to reconsider just how well creating new facts on the gound work.
East Jerusalem is now on a fast track to become a Jewish colony at a cost to the Palestinians. Israel has taken an action that shows disdain for the peace process, the Palestinians and Obama. There can be no trust in Israeli leadership.
I cannot explain the inability of the US government to comprehend the determination, dedication and ruthlessness of the Israeli government to the dream of a 'greater Israel' which has no room within it for Arabs. I wish I could assure you as some anti-Semites would, that it was a matter of Zionist perfidy. It isn't. It is a matter of ideological extremism, but it is not perfidy. True, when cornered the Israeli government always says things intended to deceive. True, the Israeli government will, under extreme pressure, will take tiny actions to appear in opposition to it's goals. This is not, de facto, perfidy. Rather it is merely doing what is necessary to allow the USA to deceive itself as to what is going on. Were the government of the United States unwilling to be deceived, it could easily be enlightened simply by observing reality over the last four decades. Thus the USA continues to pretend - to itself more than any other - that Israel will accept a two state solution. It continues to deceive itself that Israel is no less ruthless in it's pursuit of Greater Israel than America was in Manifest Destiny. There is NO reason why Israel should compromise it's goals to accommodate the goals of the USA because the USA will NEVER stop supporting Israel no matter how self-destructive the consequences are for the USA. Nor is there ANY reason for Israel to pursue anything but deception so long as the United States wishes to be deceived. The latest admonishment by the USA is hollow, without substance and certainly without consequence. Any rational person would understand it should be ignored, if not held in contempt.
The Israelis can see that regardless of how many time the USA tells Israel to stop *this* or *that* the USA does nothing to step in and stop it and, furthermore, the USA expends enormous effort to prevent anyone else from stepping in. So, yeah, Israel's policies have an internal logical i.e. why stop when nobody does anything to stop you? And, yeah, the USA's policies are illogical i.e. why tell someone they have to stop if you shield them when they keep on doing it? The USA should follow the old adage: either do your crap or get off the crapper. Coz at the moment they are just sitting there doing nothin'.
He will do whatever he can to derail the peace process, He will not succeed as Pres. Obama is determined to establish a Palestinian state with E-Jerusalem as its capital. Jerusalem is mentioned multiple times in the Bible so it is owned by the Christians as well.
If "Peter of Florida" would study to show himself approved of God then he would not look so foolish when he makes a statement as foolish as "Pres. Obama is determined to establish a Palestinian state with E-Jerusalem as its capital. Jerusalem is mentioned multiple times in the Bible so it is owned by the Christians as well." If you were to actually study what God had to say about the subject you would fear for the safety of America. Genesis 12:3 states that "I will bless those that bless you, and I will curse those that curse you." In this passage God was speaking to the father of the nation of Israel and He did not mince words. We should stand behind Israel no matter what!
Call elections, for grand coalition, do SOMETHING to get rid of this impossible government! How about this, Labor leaves coalition, govt loses confidence vote. There. Done.
Okay, but how many times does the Old Testament mention the outposts?
Here's another one: how many times does the Koran mention Moses? Answer: 502 times. If that turns out to be more times than he is mentioned in the Old Testament does that mean that the Muslims get to claim him as "one of their own"?
Q: Is Moses mentioned more times in the Koran or in the Old Testament? By Netanyahu-logic the winner will get to claim Moses as one of their own, and the loser can go f**k themselves......
If one nation imprisons and or occupies another nation of people. You will not have a secure open civil society but a closed society poised for on going war and conflicts. To have a secure civil open society there must be a tolerance for people with different ways with the rule of law being balance and fair to all people.
The Terror State Department is taking inflamatory actions by spreading anti-Israeli lies. Razing illegal Arab homes is not a provocation however working at creating a terror state is an inflamatory action.
we allow foreign parties to even comment on where to build, not to build or which and when to demolish an illegal structure. We need a Leader that tells the Americans and Europeans to mind their own f..... Business.
It seems that N. is admitting that J. is not mentioned in the "Old Testament". Not that this matters one way or the other. But, frankly, I can't imagine why N. would spend his time reading the **New** Testament.
War is a business and israel profits heavily from it. U.S England and france are its main supplies of money and weapons, Plus, when there is a was they all profit on oil prices. I live in Israel and I can tell you guys that here there is no real economy, people are just screwing you in every-way possible. So for Israel to exist there needs to be war every 4-5 years....because if there is no war then israel begins to go in to recession.
Is that seriously his entire argument? "It was written in my book more than it was written in yours, so you're out of luck"? If I write a book mentioning Paris 1000 times, am I allowed to annex the city? Should I pretend that some divine being wrote it to help my case along? Perhaps I should add a lot of stuff that is A) scientifically impossible and B) historically inaccurate, just for some added credibility. Sorry if that was blasphemous or whatever, but COME ON. This is not a good excuse to illegally occupy land and oppress the people there. Bibi, seriously, I can't even spare a shred of respect for you at this point. WTF.
If offered a real and sustainable peace...full diplomatic recognition...and an end to external attack...would Israel give up East Jerusalem?
So all that counts is how many times Jerusalem occurs in a religious book? Forget any consideration of the rights of today's inhabitants. The book is all we need. When secular politicians find it convenient they suddenly become totally devoted to this book--otherwise, whatever else it says can be ignored.
Israel plans on razing Palestinian homes and the US issues a warning to both sides? I guess that's what you call an 'honest' broker
thats what this is all about the G-D of israel is pleading (as usual) thruHis choosen (not perfect) people. they will as in the past, & as now face the DEVIL HIMSELF as the whole world must choose. its quite simple realy a child could understand whats going on.
Yaakov, you probably not Jewish with such sentiments expressed or just are showing your ignorant on your long post. To simplify it, Arab counties expelled Jews just because of their religion and stole their properties and business which forced the remaining Jews to leave the countries. Arab counties must compensate Israel for it because most expelled Jews were absorbed by Israel. Believe me the nostalgia exists but we all know that if Jews returned back to arab countries they’ll be killed. The fact that Israel absorbed expelled Jews from Arab counties Arab countries must compensate Israel. As to the so-called Palestinians they left under the orders of Arab countries while Israel tried to convince them the stay, those who stayed are happily living in Israel. Israel is not responsible to retake arab refugees. They should ask to be absorbed by any of 52 Arab countries who are responsible for their misery. It is not Israel responsibility to compensate them. And this problem should be part of the negotiations.
Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Is it any wonder Zionists are laughed at. Yaakov is Jewish. It is just that he is far more realistic than you are. When you make that worn out claim that Jews begged the Palestinians to stay you clarify for us all just how little you reside in the real world. Return your hasbara booklet--they are making a fool of you.
You say if Jews returned to Arab countries they would be killed. Rubbish. There is a Jewish MP in your current bete noire, Iran. There is also a synagogue being rebuilt in Beirut
even in these days thre are jews in Lebanon , yes in Lebanon.
These lies are not beleived by anybody any more.You don,t even know the level of ignorance that you,re sowing. The palestinians took orders from Arab countries to leave!!!! and worse, ther are 52 Arab countries!!!!! then there are a 160 jewish
The truth is, JH, that the Palestinians who fled Israel in the first war were strongly encouraged to flee by a policy of terror enacted by the Jewish terrorist groups Irgun and Lehi (and others). The Zionists organised a campaign of threats consisting of the distribution of threatening leaflets, 'violent reconnaissance' and, after the arrival of mortars, the shelling of Arab villages and neighborhoods. These, JH, are the unpleasant facts.
Wow ! Did a lightning strike you on the way to Tartus ? Why do you get so excited that there is ONE Jewish member in the Iran Majlis ? He can;t even open his mouth,unlike the huge number of Arab MKs in Israel's Knesset with their screaming & shouting whenever they want .Come on try to be a little honest & compare the two. In Israel every Arab village has a number of working Mosques. How many working Synagogues in Iran ? In Iran the Jews fear for their lives & cannot travel freely.Iran is one big prison for the Jews. The Jews were in Iran/Persia more than One-Thousand years before Islam. Next time try not to post rubbish.We get enough from others !
All the land occupied by Israel must be be returned to Palestine and any Jewish people living in these territories be given the choice of staying and be Palestine Citizen the same as the Arabs in the 1948 Jewish State.
Given the actions and attitudes of the settlers, and their lack of action in reigning in the extremist elements of their communities, there is no reasonable way they can stay. Israeli jews wishing to reside in Palestine will need to apply for entry/residence permits and citizenship documents like anyone else, from the government of Palestine. On the other hand, there is no way to justify retaining hundreds of thousands of Israelis in Palestine unless and equal number of Palestinian refugees are taken back into Israel. For every thousand Palestinians allowed to retrun to Israel, allow 1 thousand settlers (without blood on their hands) to remain in Palestine.
israel,so low
Noone is kicking the arabs out. On the other hand the palestinians will kick the Jews out.
So Arabs are only Muslim? Has Netanyahu forgotten that during the first few centuries CE the vast majority of people in the Middle East were Christian? And does it truly matter whether people two millennia ago thought the city was holy? What matters is that three great religions today considers the city a holy place, and this is why Muslims today feel a connection to Jerusalem, as do Christians and Jews today.
And under Israeli rule, it's accessible to all three religions. Under Arab rule, Jews were excluded.
One million expelled Jews, some were in prisons and mistreated or forced to leave from Arab countries after their homes and businesses were sequestrated. When Arab counties compensate Israel for it, then will talk. When Israel demolishes illegal or old houses it is to rebuild new and stronger ones for expelled Jewish people from Arab countries who have nowhere else to go. Makes sense to me i hope it makes sense to you too.
Two points from this poster. My first question is that there is no parity between Palestinan refugees from 1948 until the mid 50s. Is it not a core premise that the Jews were longing to return to Zion, thus fulfilling a two millenia old dream? Was the zionist movement involved in their move to the newly created Jewish State that they were longing to go to. Do any of the Arab Jews desire to return to their home countries? Was the case the same in every Arab country? To what degree did the zionists driving out the Palestinians impact the Arab goverments from doing the same with their Jewish population? Palestinians should have the option to return if they desire since, unlike Arab Jews, they DO desire to return to their homes. If the decide not, then Israel must compensate them for their stolen property. If Jewish property was confiscated unjustly by Arab governments then those Jews should be compensated as well, but there is no parity. Jews were eager to return to Zion and were not refugees, nor are the palestinians resposnbile for what occured in the counties of origin for the Arab Jews..
for what another country that is a thousand miles away did to its Jewish population? and secondly the majority of middle and upper class Arab Jews who actually owned these properties ended up in Europe and north america. So why should israel be the one that is compensated?
"Is it not a core premise that the Jews were longing to return to Zion." No, that is not the core premise. The core premise is that the Jews needed a nation where they could defend themselves and "normalize" the Jews. However it was a decision each person or family should make on their own. The early zionist wanted to create a safe haven that Jews could move to if they wanted. I know a number of Jews from the Arab world and I know there families stories and you cannot deny what happened to them. I do agree there is no parity however; Jewish refugees are completely innocent victiims. They were not party to the conflict in Palestine - their treatment is akin to the treatment of Japanese Americans in WWII - innocent victims - quilt by association. Palestinians by contrast were party to the war in 1947/1948 and therefore you would expect them to suffer the consequences of that war
The question to ask is : would Jews from Arab lands have left if they were properly treated and enjoyed a good life ? Arab nationalism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict made their life precarious and there was no future for them in their country of origin. Learn your history before you comment.
nice decision! come on like this and in a few years Israel will become as Mussolini's Italy: boycotted, living in autarchy, alone in the world worst the racist South Africa, that at least could count on Israel and on a bunch of white suprematist around the world
Designed to torpedo the talks before they start? You Betcha
Before the government can demo or build in Jerusalem, they have to proof that the first temple existed, so far not real and archeological poof is been found...
oh realy nd the western wall is what again?
Does that mean every wall in the Middle East is the Western Wall? Or does that mean ANY Middle Eastern city could be Jerusalem?
Does that mean every wall in the Middle East is the Western Wall? Or does that mean ANY Middle Eastern city could be Jerusalem?
Why dosent Isreal take the holy books to the international courts and the UN if they are so sure about them ????
in the Israeli view, international law does not apply to them.
wonder what would the world reaction would be if the Iran or morroco announces destructions of jewish homes in their country! israel has been doing this for over 60 years now! ohh israel be aware, your actions will bring destruction to your state on earth and will take you to hell after life!
"We think our religion is more connected to this area than yours. So we are going to demolish your homes and annex this land. But we really are a secular state!"
First, you have to proof that the first temple existed befor you can clain anything, and even then, you guys are out of your minds....
Israel doesn't pretend to be secular; it's Proclamation of Independence and Basic Law declare it a Jewish state, which is precisely what Hamas and most of the Arab world is not prepared to recognize. (No problem with recognizing Israel as a secular, binational state.)
I wish it were secular. Then there would be no need for a Palestinian state, if all peoples of the region were treated equally under a secular law.
It’s not bad enough that Palestinian land was carved out at the expense of the Palestinians living there, now everyone should recognize the state as a Jewish State? What about the Israeli Arabs who live in Israel? Don’t they have rights? Does Israel recognize them? No, Israel is prepared to ignore them and deprive them. Because of the UNSC order, the world recognizes the State of Israel which includes both Jews and Arabs.
a democratic state? You cannot be democratic and theocratic, or so say the Israelis who want to bomb Iran.
The way these clowns argue , one may have to go back to "discovery of wheel" or may be earlier to know who was inhabiting this small piece of land then.
The settlers homes have been built illegally as well. How about we start there? Racists.
This is the worst argument to raze someones home! because Jerusalem is mentioned in the bible umpteen times that gives the Jewish people inalienable rights to the land? Absolutely ridiculous.
Heck God gave me the entire world! I have it all written down on some Sumarian tablets and shall soon charge the entire world population rent. . . Either that, or they get tossed in the street and their home bulldozed.
The current Israel Government is testing the limits of how outrageous they can get before they become pariahs domestically as well as internationally. They are quickly losing the support of Diaspora Jewry for the State of ISrael generally. Soon they will stand alone, despised by all as soul-less oppressors, all for the sake of pandering to their most extreme constituents.
Just for you, the first part of: Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Holy Bible, King James Version
Grow up fella.
Any time God shows up in court and testifies He wishes the Jewish people to have the current land of Israel, nobody will question your claim. Unless and until that happens, we have only your word He supports your claim.
Don't be funny.......Tea ?
The New Testament & the Koran are based on the O.T. No O.T Testament. No rivers of blood .Flowing throughout Christian Europe & to a lesser degree Islam Not only did Christianity take hold of a Jew & raise him to the level of an idol god.they also hated the Jews for that ! And Islam: Mohammed rose to the clouds on a horse. Oh come on ! Writer of fairy tales !
Round 2. Who will land the knockout punch? Let's hope it's the prez.
Obama comes off as being soft spoken and very laid back. The man has intelligence and a deceitful backbone that people think is a weakness, but it's just Obama slowly stalking his prey before he goes for the throat! About time we have a man with conviction in the presidency. Last was Bush senior and Regan.
The Bibi boy is full of emptiness and hot air. The sad part is he is filling the Israelis head with his nonsense but cold awakening is coming.
No need for any actions by other sides. Israel is on a one way mission to self-destruct.
Read Susan Einstein's "Moral clarity". She refers to Abraham who risked God's wrath to argue for the unknown innocents in Sodom and Gomorra. "He is deeply human in thebest of all senses, afraid and inperfect, but neither his fear nor his frailty stand in the way of his own reason. He is reverent but not deferential, for his faith is based on his moral backbone." What has happened with the moral backbone of the persons who can defend such obvious and glaring injustices?
Oh boy, classic case of the "left hand does not know what the right hand is doing" or engage brain before opening mouth. Remember tower of Babylon. Sad state.
Al Settlements in East-Jeruzalem and WestBank are illigal. And have to be removes in the future
It boils down to an issue of sovereignty. Is Israel the sovereign power of East Jerusalem ? Time to decide. I for one am in favor of Israeli Sovereignty over all of Jerusalem.
Israel thinks it has sovereignty, everyone else think it doesn't.
You for one is no more than a settler who needs to go back to whatever rock you crawled from under. You live on lands that do not belobng to you, never have and never will belong to you. You think just because you are Jewish that you have the right to take other's lands and claim them as your own. You and the rest of your settler friends are no more than a cancer to Israel, the Palestinians and the whole world. The day will come and hopefully soon, that we Israelis will come after you and make sure that you will be booted out of hear once and for all, never to return. So get ready.
We know that some extrmist jews claim that God gave them the whole earth and evry thing onto or within. So when they take somthing seemingly illegally, in fact according to their belief it is all of legitimacy.
Israel continues to be the obstruction to negotiations for peace. It is a nation that is committed to expansionism at whatever expense to the Palestinians. This is not the Judaism of my ancestry.
..the only democratic country in the ME. Give me a break... and they have skin on their face and posing as victims. Luckily in the 21st century the flow of information is relatively free and the world will find out the true intent behind the mask. Netanyahu and his government working on it very hard I hope they will succeed soon. I am hardly waiting for their next stunt I am sure it is in the process...
Bibi go back to where your family came from before its too late. The Palestinians are here to stay. They are the true middle eastern. Obviously you are in the middle just for troubles. Your god didn't own the land to give it to you in the first place. Maybe you can show us a proof that your god was the true owner of Palestine when he promised it to the Jews. As long as you can not show such a proof, then you need to keep your religion to yourself. Salaam, Shaloom to all peace lovers only!!!
Squatters are all around the world and removed, why not in Jerusalem. I am from Australia and they wouldn't have gotten away with it for long.
If Israel killed a baby and said they thought the baby was in the process of a terror attack, you would likely say in monotone: "Israel has the right to defend itself" Sorry, cousin, you lack credibility.
Fredy, why does Isreal have the right to call something legal or illegal in E.J. It does not belong to them according to the UN. Speaking of squatting in Australia.....
I didn't quite hear over the racism that was screaming over your post. What was that you said? E Jer does not belong to Israel. Plain FACT. No authority to do anything there...but they have guns.
just a zionist that claims being one, i can assure you a thief in this country that steals ones property then claims it is his would be hung in the city square and maybe the death penalty would be brought in for that short period. so go home.
What does the illegal annexation of EJ have to do with the number of times Jerusalem is mentioned in the old and new testaments? What does the immoral razing of Arab homes in EJ (many of whom were refugees from 47/48) have to do with how many times Jerusalem is mentioned in the Koran? How can Israel call itself a democracy and have religous fanatics at the helm of its government? Unbelievable.
Funny how some say teh annexation of jerusalem was ilegal. It was done according to the laws of the state of ISrael. International community may niot approve nor like it, but it was done legally, Just as The USA annexed parts of mexico. Mexicans dont like it, but it was done legally. Same with TRussia and parts of Europe. So the international community is quite hypocritical
So the annexation of Poland,France,Netherlands,Belgium,Ukraine,Chechoslowakia and so on was legal, because for Germany, it was legal, no matter what these country's thought about it.
all of your mentioned annexations were "legal" because the legality of the conquerer was used. I guess the German conquests in the east were also legal, pursuant to your crazy logic
There is a difference Sabra. Israel signed on to the Geneva convention which makes annexing a land won in war illegal. The US annexing Mexico, although immoral was done before Geneva convention. So basically, Israel agreed to go by the standard of the Geneva conventions and then violated that commitment.
Funny argument! So, if e.g. the Egyptian Govt. approves a law that the southern half of current Israel is annexed, that would be legal? Let's do it!
It's about time Christians the world over started fighting for E Jerusalem - to be kept as the head of a new Palestinian state; I do not want to visit a Jerusalem controlled by Israeli soldiers and inhabited by thuggish settlers. Where is the moderate Christian protest on this issue? Jerusalem has been sacred to us for 2000 years also, as it has been to Islam for 1400 years. At least Christianity and Islam fought for it through the centuries, bloody as it was. Many historians now know that Jews were not expelled - they gradually emigrated to surrounding countries and many of the ones who remained converted to Christianity and later Islam.The Muslims and Christian Arabs therefore are the original indigenous population. Let's help them to hold on to their ancestral homeland. Accelerate BDS worldwide, it is the only way to go now.
Thank you so much for your post! I couldn't have said it better myself. I remember learning about the battles between Saradin and the Christians, the true indigenous people of Jerusalem. Where were the Jews? Gone to what they thought were greener pastures.
You really are ignorant about the Christians in Israel. They left Bethlehem not because of Israel but because they were afraid of the Moslems. Very few Christians now live in Bethlehem. Go to the North Cyprus and see what the Moslems did to Christian sites. Also Christians are Christians because of Christ who was Jewish!!!!!
the christians as well as jews have allways lived in peace under muslim rule in Jerusalem. when the first crusaders entered Jerusalem they massacred most of its inhabitants muslims and christians alike. then the christians were protected after saladin took back jerusalem. anyways, the palestinian muslims as well as christians are both living under israeli occupation! we dont have problems with christians, look at lebanon for exemple, the majority of the people are chiite muslims but the president is christian! we dont even have problems with jews that stand up for justice and say the truth. plus who cares about how many times it is written in the thorats?
the christians as well as jews have allways lived in peace under muslim rule in Jerusalem. when the first crusaders entered Jerusalem they massacred most of its inhabitants muslims and christians alike. then the christians were protected after saladin took back jerusalem. anyways, the palestinian muslims as well as christians are both living under israeli occupation! we dont have problems with christians, look at lebanon for exemple, the majority of the people are chiite muslims but the president is christian! we dont even have problems with jews that stand up for justice and say the truth. plus who cares about how many times it is written in the thorats?
Many of today's Palestinians are, in fact, descendants of jews who converted out of Judaism.
So the Christians leaving Bethlehem has nothing to do with the Israeli strangulation of the town? Not only that most of the time, like Muslims, they are not allowed by Israel to visit their holy sites in Jerusalem about 10 km away? I've been there several times so I know what I'm talking about.
That's not true at all. Pal Christians are leaving because Israel's oppression. Israel's roadblocks, bulldozing of houses, not allowing them freedom of movement has made them want to give their children a better life than what they can achieve under occupation.
and the economic strangulation it has imposed on their livelihoods in Bethlehem - which for most revolved around tourism. You are mindlessly repeating propaganda that is based on about 5% truth and 95% bullshit and innuendo.
right?
Doesn't any of this worry the OECD? It's a disgrace to admit Israel, a clear human rights violator.
I agree. What is going on the OECD??
Mugabe does stuff like this.
These homes were built illegally and should be destroyed and to h-ll with what the world thinks.They always blame Israel anyway.We Jews had best become more militant and back Israel to the hilt. As an aside,the occupants are enemies from within.Remember the dancing on the rooftops when scuds came flying in during desert storm or the dancing in the streets when the animals took down the world trade center?? Wake up and smell the camel dung. JEWS UNITE!! If you face reality, all we have-are-each other..
If "all [you] have are each other], then you don't have very much ... other than a pack of thieving criminals that will get their due in time.
Some of these homes were built before Israel came to existance and more likely before 70% of Israel,s Jews occupied ILLEGALLy palestinian Land. Keep on with your attrocities and crimes against humanity so that your end comes faster
Ignore the Jew haters-- just remember Arabists...Israel has the bomb.and will use it if you misbehave!!!
Americans always celebrate when Muslim lands are attacked and I also remember Jews having parties to celebrate Israel's attack on civilian populations.
Quoting Bibi: "There is no undercutting, nor do I intend to undercut, the connection of others to Jerusalem," ... so how is systematically evicting Pals from their homes chatergorised...? ... and buiding restrictive walls in the midst of Pal neighborhoods, so that Pal children cannot get to their schools, nor Pal mothers to well-baby-clinics?... ... and closing or selectively opening the gates to Al Aktsa Mosque, the third holiest place for Muslims?... ... and upteen additional restrictions for Pals only?... ... (in South Africa they used to declare openly: "slegs blankes" =only for whites... that was the eventual downfall of the reactionary government...)
How does this irrationality continue without serious and active dissent? How can a country have a government in which political hacks and bureaucrats shape international relations and foreign policy while the PM shrugs? If this goes on, the nation will not.
Quite right EGB. In four lines you gave a history of the Third Reich as well. Since 1945 I have had to listen to the accusatory lament: "How did you Germans ever let it happen!?" - while cloned psychopaths continue the cycle, babbling without shame about ' lessons of history'.
Fair is fair. Pity Israel spent so much money on settlements rather than paying for their own military hardware rather than taking welfare payments from the United States. Oh wait, the US welfare allowed Israel to spend money instead on illegal structures in the West Bank. I want my money back. Welfare cheats.
Does anyone have any info on the number of Arab homes that are slated for demolition ? Were these homes built without a building permit ? The article mentions nothing.
also why do we need permits from a forigen country to build in our country
The number of building permits issued to Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem is about the same. You need building permits in any civilized country. Just because you feel Israel is not you country does no excuse you from the need to get a building permit before you build.
It is absolutely false to say that building permits are equal for Arabs and Jews. A pelestinian can wait up to 12 years ,when he gets lucky, but 90% of the time gets rejected . This is very well known fact and you can investigate it from fair and balanced sources not the Jewish Only municipality of Jerusalem. People are kicked out of their homes in Jerusalem for invented reasons just because they are not Jews and the plan is make it as jewish as possible no matter how . The original and ownners of Jerusalem are considered undesirable because they don,t fit in with the plan.A palestinian can lose his residency in Jerusalem because he lives for a year or two in a foreign country and much faster if he abtains its nationality but a jewish can have as many nationalities as he can and he can live outside for as long as he desires, worse a Jew from any part of the world has more right in Jerusalem than a Palestinian who can have his roots back to the Jebusites who buit the city thousands of years ago and long before our Patrirach put a foot in Palestine.!!!
It is absolutely false to say that building permits are equal for Arabs and Jews. A pelestinian can wait up to 12 years ,when he gets lucky, but 90% of the time gets rejected . This is very well known fact and you can investigate it from fair and balanced sources not the Jewish Only municipality of Jerusalem. People are kicked out of their homes in Jerusalem for invented reasons just because they are not Jews and the plan is make it as jewish as possible no matter how . The original and ownners of Jerusalem are considered undesirable because they don,t fit in with the plan.A palestinian can lose his residency in Jerusalem because he lives for a year or two in a foreign country and much faster if he abtains its nationality but a jewish can have as many nationalities as he can and he can live outside for as long as he desires, worse a Jew from any part of the world has more right in Jerusalem than a Palestinian who can have his roots back to the Jebusites who buit the city thousands of years ago and long before our Patrirach put a foot in Palestine.!!!
Your emotional response is no proof for the hard facts that suggest the opposite is true unless you can cite reliable sources to the contrary. And how do you know that Jews do not wait up to 12 years also ?
The timing was bad couple month ago but now it is right on the eve of talks? This Israeli goverement is petrofied of the talks and is dying to kill them befor they start.
One can easily check the records to find out if the %of approvals granted closely mirrors the demographics on the ground. Any appreciable difference will lead us to what we already know. Israel is a racist socoety and the proof is in the planning. You aint foolin nobody Israel---anymore. But keep pushing--Obama and co are keeping an eye and counting--just as is the rest of the planet. We all no who is the true peace partner---and it is not Israel.
Hey - Turns out that in Israel bricks and mortar are more important than human beings Incidentally, wasnt the Holyland project built illegally. When is this being demolished?
If someone illegally built a home in a park in Washington DC you better believe it would get torn down, why should Israel be any different - they also tear down Jewish homes built illegally. The law is the law.
H: "If someone illegally built a home in a park in Washington DC you better believe it would get torn down, why should Israel be any different" Because Washington DC is UNIVERSALLY acknowledged to be the sovereign territory of the USA. East Jerusalem is different: not ONE COUNTRY in the world recognizes Israel's claim to have seized sovereignty over that territory. That's why Israel has to be different i.e. it is the occupying power, not the sovereign.
East Jerusalem is defined by the International Law as being under occupation, fine. Where does it say that the occupier cannot enforce order by removing building that were built w/o permit ?
Ads if the actions in Silwan, Wadi Joz, Sheik Jarreh are nothing more than a simple municipal dispute between those who do not have a permit to build and the municipality. That is the attitude of these apologists and shows their disconnect with objective fact which they choose not to recognise. Does this poster have any figures on how many Palestinians have applied for permits and been denied and the reasons for denial? Doe he question the fact that when applying for building permits, not only in EJ, Arabs are not on par with Jews? I advise readers to check with Ir Amim to get some facts that Vader prefers not be made too public.
A 2003 study by Justus Reid Weiner of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs notes that the average number of permits issued to Arabs annually during the past five years is 183 .... Weiners study notes that the percentage of applications that result in the issuance of a building permit is VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL in Arab and Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem. That sounds like real discrimination, don’t it ?
"If someone illegally built a home in a park in Washington DC" Correct analogy would be "If someone illegally built a home in a park in San perdo, Mexico" No, I wouldn't care. It's would be mexico's job to handle that.
Pre 1967 borders should be re-instated. Israel has become the very thing they despised over 60 years ago. How many times in the tanach did the jewish people harden their hearts and turn their back on God? He may well soon turn His back...
I don't think they will do that. The historic memory of yellow statrs is too recent. What they will do is continue their policy of dispossession and when they have to enhance it in terms of numbers and neighbourhoods they need to ethnically cleanse they will begin calling it "reunification" or "repatriation". They will be seen at the check pooinbts giving each family 1,000 shekels so they can make a claim of how humane and generous they are in carrying out this policy. And unlike the pregnant women and seriously ill whom they keep waiting for hours under the hot sun without water at their racial check points, they will provide the dispossessed with water bottles.
What will it take for obama and Mitchell to say enough is enough. We need to impose a solution on these Israelis who have done nothing over the last decade but demonstrate their insincerity anbd hypocracy. Do we have to wait until their military is seen on our screens forcing out Arabs from their neighbourhoods so they can be made pure for Jews only enclaves? That eday may not be far off and sure as the occupation is a war crime, it will be outdone by out and out ethnic cleansing done in the name of that favoaurite zionist catch phrase: "security". The patience the Palestinians have shown in the face of all this is mind boggling.
Israel has done nothing? Turning over half the west bank in Oslo, removing road blocks, arming the Palestinian security forces, tearing down settlements in Gaza, tearing down settlements in the norther west bank, freeing thousands of terrorists, the list goes on and on - what have the Palestinians done? They have blown up buses and shot missiles.
1. Turning over half of the WB in Oslo Israel continues its expansionism in all parts of what it refers to as Judea and Samaria. netanyapu does not subscribe to any of the agreements made at Oslo or any prior agreements with previous governments of Israel. 2. Just how many road blocks have been removed? How many are still standing and what percentage is that. How many did they commit to removing and how many were actually taken down? 3.Where are the Palestinian security forces and why are they not allowed to react when colonists harrass palestinians or destroy olive groves or kill livestock? 4.Gaza was not tearing down. Sharon decided, unilaterally, to relovcate those colonists who Israel could not continue supporting financially or their security. 5. They never freed "thousands" of terrorists. 6. Hamas has ordered a hudna so there is not missiles or blown up buses.
Why is it not possible to get a logical comment from the defenders of all the outrageous injustices committed? The patent defense is to point fingers at others and say, "Look who's talking!". Children react that way when they do not want to take responsibility - I am looking for a REAL reason coming from responsible ADULTS.
Born and bred from a lie. Held up high on a pedestal (in their own minds), and can do no wrong because G-d is in their back pocket. Good luck Israelis...good luck.
Such a nice little zionist gift to give Mitchell and Abbas, with the usual timing, so nice, not to insult. They steal with one hand and destroy with the other and then spew out biblical reference that they pick and choose and use that as a rationalisation for their crimes. netanyahpu also forgets to mention when he quotes the 142 reference in the Christian bible the quote from Jesus prior to his Passion when he predicted the destruction of Jerusalen, that not one stone would be left upon another. that is what ahronobitch and netanyapu are doing: gearing up for great destruction in the city they covet like ahab did the filed of nabot.
What is the big fuss about? These home were built without permits or inspection. Besides being a safety hazard they are illegal. This is a democratic country, the same law applies to all citizens! The government is discriminatory, it rushes to destroy Jewish housing built during the construction freeze, but does nothing about repeated Arab violations of municipal building codes.
get it through your head. East Jerusalem does not belong to Israel so destruction of any property there is a violation
The rule of law doesn't apply equally to everyone. A jew applying for a building permit in Jerusalem, will get it almost certainly. An arab, will not. Then obviously after years of waiting, and being fed up, people will start building illegaly
Eliyahu===as said by another---get it through your thick skull--it is occupied---illegally annexed. Null and void---see UNSCR 478.
Why isnt the rule of law being applied there?
Why isnt the rule of law being applied there?
Its funny how at times, Israel is democratic when its convenient, and is the Jewish State when convenient. Choose one and stick with it, you cant play both cards ALL THE TIME!
Jews and Arabs have about the same % of approved applications. The difference is that Arabs don't even try to apply -- they just build illegally, then hope the media outrage will save their homes.
East Jeruzalem and Westbank doesnt belong to Israel. They are occupied by Israel. And building settlements is a warcrime. They hate towards Israel and Jews will be only greater.
So you work in the ministry which oversees these applications? There were many articles in Haaretz stating just the opposite of what you are claiming. Someone is not telling the truth. Want to guess who? Ding ding, right...you are.
So, all of the illegally built settlements will ALSO be razed, right?
How can you say that? The Arabs are not allowed to build! Even if they apply, their application will be refused. What would you do if you couldn't build on your land??? The audacity of your comment is enraging.
A Jew will have to wait for permission and take all the legal hassle , too. If anybody wastes money on building illegal structures (jap) he does so on his/her own risc. You state committing a crime by constructing illegaly after waiting years is "obvious". Don't mind me, but i do not think so.
says it all
For 40 years, the Israeli occupation has denied Arabs building permits while allowing Jews to build unencumbered in the West Bank. Because the Arab population has grown, many families have had to build without Israeli permits. Yet they have built on their own land. Israel now uses this as an excuse to destroy Arab homes and take their land. Many of the Israeli laws are a usurption of Arab human rights. Israel maintains a facade of legality to cover-up these crimes against Arabs.
For 40 years, the Israeli occupation has denied Arabs building permits while allowing Jews to build unencumbered in the West Bank. Because the Arab population has grown, many families have had to build without Israeli permits. Yet they have built on their own land. Israel now uses this as an excuse to destroy Arab homes and take their land. Many of the Israeli laws are a usurption of Arab human rights. Israel maintains a facade of legality to cover-up these crimes against Arabs.
one question, will Obama approve? Fair is fair, if one side's illegally built homes are torn down, so must the other. I somehow get the feeling more will be heard from the Imperial Wizard, Obama.
Surely Bibi is aware......
The only law that applies is international law. The laws of Israel only have validity on Israeli territory. Conquered land cannot be annexed by Israeli law. Your time is running out, and the world's patience too.
So Israel is a democratic, peace loving State? Nothing could be further from the truth! Israel's politicians speak 2 languages; English for the Western audience, where they attempt to portray themselves as reasonable people who abide by justice. Hebrew is spoken for the domestic audience, where their fascist philosophy and racist policies are properly explained.
So (any arab state) is a democratic, peace loving state? Nothing could be further from the truth! (Any arab state's) politicians speak 2 languages; English for the Western audience [...] Arab is spoken for the domestic audience, where their fascist philosophy and racist policies are properly explained. And believe me, i do not feel nice, writing this :-(
"But I do confront the attempt to undercut and warp or obfuscate the unique connection that we, the people of Israel, have to the capital of Israel." By evicting everyone else who lives there.
It could not be more wrong then now. The Israelis will do whatever is necessary to derail these talks! Lets hope the Pals see thru this and continue no matter what Israel does.
what kind of goverment do this, I ve never hear some goverment demolish house in recent years. You Mr. what ever is a not scamb, racist . Dont you kwon how many people live in this houses, women, children. The goverment of Israel is a such insensible. God help a palestinian people.
I feel ashamed to live in this country, and waits for comments from the religious bastards that tell me to go and live elsewhere.
I'd bet there is no order currently in effect saying settlers cannot torch mosques or churches, either. And probably none in effect directing the IDF not to shoot some people on sight regardless of how many innocents surround them, right? So is there an order in effect that allows East Jerusalemites to return to their West Jerusalem homes, evacuated in 1948? Like Netanyahu told Elie Wiesel? Remember "Arabs have freedom to build anywhere in Jerusalem?"
Very interesting "only democracy on the Near East"! On one side it is legalizing illegaly jewish settlements on non-Israeli territories and on other side it is demolishing non-Jewish houses in Israel and on non-Israeli territories. We watch your deeds...
I guess the game is over.. this mouse and cat has to end and NOW
Great idea another PR stroke of genius for Israel, while helping the peace process. How to gain US & European support 101.
Homes would not be built "Illegally" if Israel was fair in tendering buildilng permits. A bit of a moot point since the Palestinians and the rest of the civilized do not recognize Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem. Israel's motives are clear: do whatever required to derail the peace process....
the government still has members in Knesset who are interested in provocation on a monthly basis just to distract from the peace process and postpone peace with Israel's adversaries. Yaffe!
Blame it on the Pal when negotiations, they do not want peace!!!
... but not OK to tear down unsafe, unsightly Arab construction that was illegally built? Is it just a matter of what side you happen to be on, or is it inability to see the problem with crap construction? Look at what happened in Haiti, everyone crushed.
Jasper, thinking is required cousin. The Palestinians structures are built on Palestinian land, land the world sees as a future Palestinian State, with Israel the lone holdout. Israel outposts are built on Palestinian land but they are intended only for non Palestinians... ...you see, the difference is very clear.
You cannot deny Jews the right to live there while asserting your right as sovereign. No once is talking about expelling any Palestinian residence from where they currently live on the Jewish side (except crazies, of course). However, your side is talking exactly that. You will only get more misery this way. Learn the meaning of peace and see enormous benefits that will accrue to your people as the result. Peace.
And what did the Knesset say? And what thit the government say? Destroying those houses is morally wrong and at the least does not take peace talks seriously. Let us hope the man's job it terminated.
Well, the religious minority as usual are sabotaging any chances of peace talks..the tail wagging the dog.But more important is the fact that our leaders whom we (somebody?) appointed are incapable of seeing our Arabs as human.Let them have THEIR houses demolished for a change.How would they like it.Where would they live.This will all come back to bite us.Strength isn't everything.Caring about others IS.LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR...even if some of them dont seem to love us!
As Afghan, no one else can understand the need for love and humanity than we. Religious zealosity and exterimism is at all a disease that will breed destruction, agony, pain, hatred and unease of mind among human being. So, the only way to live a happy life for all is to tolerate each other and try to feel that you are one, dispite different beleives. Otherwise, you will never live in peace, mentally or physically PPeace and love for all
... does Bibi condone this?!...
Esther, Israel is no place for decent people to stay. There is still a very favored status for Israeli immigrants here and I urge you to get out while you still can. There was nothing wrong with any sane and decent person who fled Germany in the 1930s. There is nothing wrong with any sane and decent Israeli moving to a nation on a course more amiable to their proclivities in the 21st century.