Israel hints it may retroactively legalize settlement construction

This is wonderful news. Build them and defend them. Israel on the West Bank, "Palestine" on the East. PLO member Zahir Muhsein - "The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct "Palestinian people" to oppose Zionism. For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan."

C: "All Israeli settlements are legal." Notice that Chaim starts out by talking about ISRAELI settlements? C: "There is nothing illegal about a single Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria." Notice that Chaim is now talking about JEWISH settlements? Chaim, the ETHNICITY of these settlers (actually, "colonists") is the particular straw man obsession of Israel. Everyone else points to the CITIZENSHIP of those colonists and (correctly) observes that they are all citizens of the occupying power. It is that CITIZENSHIP ("Israeli") that makes this act of colonization illegal, not their ETHNICITY ("Jewish"). Deep down you do understand this, which is why you have to rationalize this to yourself with such a clumsy and transparent switcheroo. But why do you insist on inflicting that self-delusional claptrap on everyone else?

There is nothing illegal about a single Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria. They are merely disputed by our enemies. As are Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and every other Jewish city and town in our sole, tiny Homeland. Nobody has to "legalize" our settlements. They always were legal. Nor will we allow anyone to drive us from our homes ever again.

"Stop retroactive legal cheating. Trade land for peace and earn a niche in Israels history as a great leader......." Who? Bibi??? LOOL!

Sanctions now!

"Neither Likud nor the Republicans have a regard for law and justice that is the slightest bit more noble and sincere than Sicily?s Cosa Nostra." Cosa Nostra is more trustworthy. If there is the slightest chance that a war is in the offing, the Republicans are sure to make money off it. It all started with the American Civil War and a worthy cause................... I don't know about Likud.

"Israel has every right - morally, historically, theologically and militarily - to be there." morally, only if you admit killing and armed robbery to be moral; historically - only if you pick a small piece of history and ignore all the other people who historically occupied that land in the last 2000 years; theologically - only if you allow theologians to twist theology to suit the circumstances (they are good at this, you know); militarily - Yes! When you have more guns and arrogance than anyone else. The theft of Palestinian land is no lie. It doesn't matter if it is considered Palestinian or something else. The point is that it is NOT Israeli land, and Israel took it, anyway. The only land that is legitimately Israel is the land they were alloted by the UN in 1947, or perhaps that which they gained by the conquest of 1967, which the Palestinians are willing to acknowledge for the sake of peace.

never was and after the actions taken by arab palestinians and all their arab brethren in the last century, they are lucky to get anything. You dont get to wander into a land thousands of years after it was jewish for centuries upon centuries (before islam ever existed), call it yours, and then have it be so... Their migrations to that land, many of which paralleled jewish migrations certainly have no greater right to the land at the very least. Many of these pals families came upon offers of work by jews already in the holy land. Some, albeit a relative very few have been there longer and even their migration was predilected by arab conquests of the region which was first and foremost, hebrew civilization (among several other now non-existent civilizations with no demonstrable ties whatsoever to present day arab/muslim pals) In other words, be careful who you call occupier and thief

Israel declared itself to be a state in 1948. Yes. Immediately after the British wahed their hands of the Middle East situation and the UN relieved them of resposibility for continuing the Mandate.

"to retroactively legitimize what is illegal makes the government part of a cynical game." The name of that cynical game is fascism; and its only means of survival is compulsive force.

#38 : you are absolutely right,but you should add: and settlers have to obey Palestian law. Now, what would happen if Palestinian law would have the authority to expeel them.Can you see the charade?

but you would not understand nor do we need you to understand.

hey there mark Lincol of Texas. About those settlers of whom you speak, the Alamo fell but you still took Texas fom mexico and settled in to a land not yours. Return Texas to mexico and then talk

All the settlements are illegal so it doesn't matter what Israel says. It is, however, a measure of Israel's distance from reality that it thinks that the world will in any way be fooled by any of this.

UN Resolution 242 starts with a preamble discussing the inadmissablity of the acquisition of territory by war. At least four UN Security Council Resolutions(446,452,471,476) all say Israeli settlements violate the Fourth Geneva Convention article 49 and are illegal. Two rulings by the International Court of Justice in the Hague (the last in 2004) also say they violate the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Hague Regulations. The Road Map which Israel signed in 2002 without written reservations prohibits settlement expansion and natural growth. The WADI-ARABA treaty w/Jordon prohibits imposed demographic changes in E. Jerusalem.

As a Jew who once wholeheartedly supported Israel I am sick and disgusted with the state that says it represents me. This is a vile land grabbing racist state that deserves the condemnation of every right minded Jew and of every nation in the world. End the occupation! Leave the illegally occupied territories! Be a nation of which Jews can be proud.

No matter what Israel says and does at this time, the Geneva Convention defines the settlements as illegal. Israel is a signatory to that agreement. It is truly amazing how current Israeli leadership, with influence from the settlers, has drifted from its Jewish foundations of truth and justice.

To save the Palestinians and Israel from undermining its own legitimacy, please PA, renounce violence and declare a state with the backing of the UN. Then this issue will be moot.

It seems representatives of the government can (indirectly through political pressure) tell courts how to act in Israel. That is contrary to any kind of checks and balances in any democratic country. Settlements set aside, this must be the imperative issue.

Intelligence...proxy hegemony in ME...matzo balls? If Israel continues in their quest for more land and apartheid ways, it is to their own demise because the USA is growing tired of the unconditional support. More and more tax payers are becoming aware of the atrocities perpetrated against the innocents. There are quite a bit sensible Israelis that know this.

All Obama has to do is withdraw the funding for the settlement enterprise. Legalise it under Israeli law, and Netanyahu will have given your President the opprtunity to do so. And if your President declares the money can be used to create jobs in the United States, there won't be many complaints outside the none Jewish community, who can be made to shut up by the mention of the name of Madoff and where is the money?

David Ben Gurion, the founder and first Prime Minister of israel once said "Let us not ignore the truth among ourselves ... politically we are the aggressors and they defend themselves... The country is theirs, because they inhabit it, whereas we want to come here and settle down, and in their view we want to take away from them their country."

You'r absolutely right.That why you'll understand why the views of non Isralis about Bibi are totally meaningless,and their opinions are and should be totally irrelevant to him.

For religious and nationalistic Jews, Israel and the West Bank are the same. Despite this Netanyahu is still offering a Palestinian state because most Jews want peace. You can be sure that Netanyahu was choking on the idea of ceding biblical Jewish territory that Jews controlled for an offer of peace. What is "stolen land" to the Palestinians is the "Land of Israel" to Jews and Jews will not wait forever for the Palestinians to decide on a compromise.Peace is a Jewish state and a Palestinian state, not 1 or 2 Palestinian Muslim states with no Jewish Israel as the Palestinians want.

Where was the State of Palestine pre-1967 and who ruled it? I have asked this several times but nobody seems to give me a true historical statement. Please help.

When the world consider the occupation of Tibet "legal",and when they"legalize" the occupation of Cyprus by the Turks.When they"legalize" terror and kidnnaping.That what happen"legal" settlement. All the above mentioned are illegal,and amoral.

Israel is the so called occupying power. Only it can dictate the terms. Not Obama, not the EU, not the UK. Since Israel is holding the land it has a right (of course within reason) to dictate the terms. I realize that there is negotiation involved, but minimal. There are 20 Arab countries & only 1 Jewish country which God gave to the Jews. There must be some balance.

History teaches us that the land of israel was conquered, occupied, pillaged, destroyed over and over throughout the ages by imperial powers. They are all now in the dustbin of history. The lesson extracted is usually that spiritual identity is more enduring than temporal power. However Israel seems to have learned the wrong lesson and is imitating those long gone powers. Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it. This time on the wrong side. Bibi, unlikeley hero that you are, your moment of decision and greatness requires you to give up Israel's colonial pretensions. Stop retroactive legal cheating. Trade land for peace and earn a niche in Israels history as a great leader, or jump into the dustbin for eternity.

Gays? Bacon? Polygamy? The possibilities are endlessly entrancing. But of course in Sheikh Jarrah, settlements have already been creatively legalised.

What a stupid, dumb, provocative sort of approach to be taking! At a time when even Israel's friends are thinking that things have been getting a bit whiffy this sort of decision will simply send them all looking for a clothes peg and someone else to be mates with. After Lebanon , Gaza, the election of the Netanyahu Lieberman ticket and the like the last thing Israel needs is a further demonstration that it has no real interest whatsover in accepting the basic requirements for peace.

Hahahahahahaha..this is stronger than the slogan:Israel is a Jewish democracy and could entry also in Guinness.

As well!! And by the way i am a leftist who supports settlements.

You may not have noticed, but Israelis are not Obama's constituents, so their views of him are totally meaningless. Their opinions are and should be totally irrelevant to him.

And they keep shooting themselves in the foot.

Outlaw states make their own laws. Especially when their slogan is "Gott mit uns!" Sanctions are now in order. Both the guilt and the burden of responsibility for pushing Israel back accross its 1967 borders rests with the United States of America, having created this monster in the Middle East by carte blanche diplomatic, economic, and military support. As for the rest of the world, the neccessity to halt the wars and terrorism spawned by Israel's Settlements Enterprise behooves the same action without delay. Sanctions now!

If not even God can change the past, then Israel's attempt to retroactively legitimize illegal settlements is unprecendented chutzpah. The settlement issue rightfully bothers the Palestinians as it reaches backward and foward and taints any negotiated settlement. They are imposing physical preconditions and prejudicing any real peace. Bibi seems to understand and is painfully making a U turn. Israel has to climb down from the limb on which it placed itself of excess pride and landgrabbing. Be a light unto the nations, not a mini wannabee colonial land usurper..

Israel expects others to recognize its right to exist, which would be reasonable if Israel were a reasonable state which was prepared to live in peace with its neighbors. The problem with trying to "legalize" the settlements is that this implicitly puts Israeli law above international law. This weakening of international law weakens the very basis of the existence of Israel itself. Similar things happen with individual humans. When someone does not recognize the property rights of others, perhaps by stealing, their own property and or liberty may be put in jeopardy by the law. Similarly if they do not recognize the right to life of others, perhaps by committing murder, their own right to life may be put in question. If Israel wishes its existence to be recognized by others, and this seems a reasonable part of a peaceful settlement in the region, it must first recognize itself. This means recognizing the limitations on its own freedom of action.

....and the South African regime also legalized "Apartheid". And there would be many more examples to add.... But it didn't save any of them from sooner or later getting in trouble with the more decent rest of the world (U.S. in the case of slavery). So why should it save Israel...??? Or to say it with good old Bob Dylan: My dear Israeli friends, better think twice, if you wanna stay alright...:)

Get together with the PA and legalize the settlements as official parts of the future Palestinian State. This will be a big benefit for all: 1. Continued growth and construction means $$$ going into the local economy. 2. No more complaints about enough "natural growth" for existing residents. 3. People would still be able to live on the land of their ancestors. If Arabs can live in Israel, why not Jews in Palestine???????

This is a Bush league stunt as in Bush 43 (the coupe d?état President). Commit an illegal act and then retroactively ?alter? a law to declare it legal. How do Israel?s Likud and America?s Republicans, with a straight face, claim that they alone are the true, conservative and impartial upholders of the law? Neither Likud nor the Republicans have a regard for law and justice that is the slightest bit more noble and sincere than Sicily?s Cosa Nostra.

controversial because More Arabs may become Israeli citizens. Disputed, because The Pals decide what is a settlement. including Jerusalem The Westbank was not conquered from The Pals, but generously given to them for living there. no Arab country has been as favourable to the Pals as Israel has been.

The claim that Israel has ?stolen? Palestinian land is simply a lie. Judea and Samaria are the ancient heartland of the Jewish people, the cradle of our civilization, and Israel has every right - morally, historically, theologically and militarily - to be there. The West Bank is not Palestinian land in any sense. It was originally part of the British Mandate and then illegally occupied by Jordan. Nor have the settlers occupied individual Palestinians? land, but have mainly built on empty space. I do not condone the actions of some of these settlers against their Arab neighbours, nor their attitudes. But the claim that Israel has ?stolen? Palestinian land is simply a lie as explained at: http://xrl.us/otzxw

In a democracy the government is elected by the people and should do what they promised the people that elected them.Otherwise why have elections?

... he did something illegal against the euro-jews in the past. The answer - "No, we used the LAW"! Just like zions do now against the Palestinian people...

J: "Occupied Territory still makes it Illegal" The very notion that Israel can retrospectively "make this legal" is a nonsense. Israeli law does not apply in the occupied territories. Israel rules by military orders, and those military order MUST comply with International Humanitarian Law, and if they **don't** then not only are they illegal but there is no Magic Wand that Israel can wave to **make** them legal. It doesn't possess the jurisdiction to do that, because it is not the sovereign here. Israel is merely the occupying power, and it's long past time that Israel started acting like one.

b: "The territories are legal occupations." Indeed. Which meaning that Israel is the occupying power, not a medieval warlord, and these Palestinians are "protected persons", and not merely Israeli serfs. Israel must administer occupied territories under the authority GRANTED TO IT by int'l humanitarian law i.e. Isarael is not free to make up the law as and when it pleases her. Colonizing occupied territory is one of those "pleasure" that is, in fact and in law, absolutely and unconditionally prohibited to any occupier. Including Israel. b: "Now go and read more by international lawyers, not populist papers." Indeed a wise suggestion. When are you planning to start?

they recoil in horror at the existence of Israel not the fact that it is a free and democratic country that tries is level best to be fair with is multinational, multiethnic multiracial rainbow of citizens.

'Israel should not only stonewall on Obama`s "freeze" buffoonery, but should call and raise...' Hear hear. I hope Israel follows the advice of the good doctor. I've always noticed the humanity of Dr. Brnd. However, it hasn't been until now that I've appreciated his sagacity. And I really do mean it when I urge Israel to heed his counsel.

The purpose of a retroactive legalization is the possibility of upping the assumed value and credibility of possible bargaining chips. Like automobile dealers do when they add on prices for 'dealer prep' not only out of all proportion to the preparation they do on a car prior to delivery, but also contrary to their contract with the manufacturer. It's added on so that it can be subtracted, at no cost to the dealer!

I agree wholeheartedly. This is exactly the sort of provocation Obama needs to justify suspending aid and allowing the UN to impose sanctions. Think of it as a Zimmerman Telegram. Send it.

unilaterally as a jewish nation as any other nation, and let the arab brothers to take care by force, their own brothers.

Yeah, we agree, they are illegal. Sure, no question. Illegal. Leave it with us, and we'll deal with it. Yeah, stop pushing already! We agreed they are illegal, so let us deal with it. Of course we're dealing with it! It's illegal, isn't it, and we've admitted they are illegal. Err, no, we've changed our minds. Bite me.

"excessive pressure" is an undertatement. it is really pure, unadultareted blackmail. obama's approval rating among israeli jews is around 6%. israeli jews, even those who are not netanyahu supporters, resent being treated with contempt. they see through the demagoguery. they see through the attempted power grab and hubris. they understand that obama is selling them out to the muslims.

The Israelis want to make sure that Jerusalem cannot be semi-surrounded and bombarded like during the 1948 war. For the same reason they cannot give up the Golan. Jerusalem will not be the shared capital of Israel. Palestine's capital is Amman.

The mad dogs attacked him, and the loyal puppy comes to heel. Netanyahu knows who has his balls in their hands, and who owns him. The Settlers attacked him for wavering, and he has come slavering back to their heel.

This is also a legal and neatly clever response to Obama`s excessive pressure" Asking Israel to abide by the law? "...and teach Obama not to honor US commitments & promises/understandings" Bush's un-official understandings...that Israel could continue to break the law? "Obama, who makes such a point of talking with Iran, should learn not to scream insults and lies at Israel" Oh... Uh? What "scream insults and lies" would those be? " A friend who does not back up his promises to you is no friend" Indeed. Say.....they weren't his promises!

Instead of telling Israel to follow the law, why don't you READ the law. The territories are legal occupations. Jordan illegally occupied them in 1948, then started a war with Israel 1967 and lost.The word "Palestinian" does not exist in UNSC Resolution 242 after the 1967 war. Now go and read more by international lawyers, not populist papers.

to retroactively legitimize what is illegal makes the government part of a cynical game. either Israel subscribes to the genuine peace process and returns land for peace, or commits to a policy of permanent confrontation and hostility with the Palestinians. declaring pork kosher doesn't alter the fact that treif is still treif.

according to Israeli law, settlements will be legal, but International law says otherwise, for the state of Israel to be a part of the international community, they have to abide by it's laws.

The state is quick to demolish the so called illegal Palestinian homes, yet is willing to legalize illegal settlements built on stolen land. Israel's moral compass is heading South.

The Palestinians don't want any more Jews coming into the West Bank but they want the Jews to welcome hordes of Palestinians into Israel. What makes you think Jews want the Palestinians anymore than the Palestinians want the Jews? It seems the only peace Arabs are offering Jews is not to slaughter them if the Jews capitulate. Jews aren't impressed.

I ask to poster to define "peace" between Israel and its neighbors. I would not be impressed with a definition that includes a "right of return" since the object of that feature is to overwhelm Israel with Arabs. The greatest impediment to peace is the Arabs' unwillingness to let even a truncated Jewish state live in peace.

The concept of friendship between countries is a myth. No country is going to allow another one to do things harmful to its interests because the other country is a friend.

Israel should not only stonewall on Obama's "freeze" buffoonery, but should call and raise. Obama never had lined up his promised "Arab reciprocation" - it was a double cross from the start. He lied to Israel and lied (again) to the American people ("I am equally pressuring both sides"). America is getting fed up with "Teleprompter" Obama and his flimsy lies, why his poll numbers are crashing. The guy is a stuffed suit who reads speeches. Next move for Bibi: massive construction in E-1 connector, not for Mevasseret Adumim, but for an 8500-foot runway, to build a new J'lem airport to serve both Israel and PA state, with 2 int'l terminals, like Swiss have. Checkmate Obama, its Israeli but not a "settlement". Then build lots of wall-to-wall new small towns in Israel encircling North Gaza - making any Sovereign Safe Passage to W. Bank virtually impossible. Why whole "contiguity" argument is idiotic to start with - Gaza is isolated, "connector" would then make Israel non-continguous.

standing on conviction will now be blessed with representation, it sounds ludicrous but I hear several other nations around the world have been doing it for centuries

German colonisation of the Danzig Corridor was made legal by similar methods, so I guess it is okay for Israel to do the same.

As far as the Palestinians and Arabs are concerned, there is nothing legal about Israel, let alone the settlements. One day the records will be set straight, by hook or by crook.

It's that simple. Stealing land takes precedence over peace and security.

The settlements are the greatest impediment to peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Yet Israel continues with provocations such as this. Israel wants land, and every other consideration is secondary.

Stop playing games...the settlements are mostly illegal..follow the law... Freezing settlements is the first step to PEACE..start the process. The Americans want Israel to make peace with its neighbors..Palastinians, Lebanonese, and Syrians..just do it.

Why is Israel becoming the pariah of the world? When will it end (expansions, occupation)? The world’s eyes are turned to israel and it is time it honors its agreements it has signed with the UN as other civilized countries do. Israel cannot ask why Iran speaks of its "destruction" when it acts in this manner.

This is also a legal and neatly clever response to Obama's excessive pressure, posturing and B S , and teach Obama not to honor US commitments & promises/understandings. Obama, who makes such a point of talking with Iran, should learn not to scream insults and lies at Israel. A friend who does not back up his promises to you is no friend.

The inexorable ethnic cleansing continues. Now we can just say its legal.

I think there is hope for Israel. Now they want to make the illegal legal just by saying it is so. This kind of wizardry may sit well with the crazies in Israel who spout the old testament to justify Israel theft, but the rest of the world recoils in horror and disgust.