No-one saw, no-one heard: 300 Palestinian olive trees uprooted

Unless those trees where on land within the borders of Israel, they were on Palestinian land, illegally occupied Palestinian territory. It is disgraceful that an adult Israeli male is not sufficiently educated to have read, and understood, UNSC 242, demanding Israel withdraw from territories occupied in 1967: that an adult Israeli is seemingly unaware that Israel is in violation of International law for violating that UN resolution; that an adult Israeli male does not know that building on that land is a violation of the 4th Geneva Convention, and considered a war crime. It is more of a disgrace that there are Jews so lacking a sense of human decency, conscience, morality and compassion that he feels bad (sic) for the saplings destroyed, and not for the Palestinian families who may have lost their only source of income. You, Chaim are not only a disgrace to all Jews, and Israel, you are a disgrace to mankind. The world thought it was rid of such people when Nazism ended.

Wait a minute. We're well rid of them . Why should we have to take them back?

Regardless of unlimited research, if the land in question is outside the borders of the State of Israel, it is illegally occupied Palestinian land. This has frequently been reported on in over 100 UN resolutions and 5 articles of the Geneva Convention, and Israel is in violation of them all. It's surprising that your research didn't reveal that.

Oh those cute Zionist settlers are at it again. Aren't they sweet? Implanting these fanatics in the West Bank is like the Palestinians implanting Islamic Jihadis into Israel...do you see why they are not wanted on these lands?

Not only the Greeks but also the ancient Hebrews were prohibited from damaging trees during war. See Deut. 20:19. Obviously, these oh so "observant" settler hooligans have never read Deuteronomy. Just what perversions are their yeshivoth teaching ?? David

Since many of these miserable settlers came from America it is time to send them back. Give them 24 hours to leave on their own. If they don't leave, arrest them, put them in handcuffs and put them on a plane to Brooklyn or the Bronx. Maybe then the rest of the illegal settlers will get the message.

I am asking my self: when will all this tyrany ending? It is not our right to destroy life because just I am believing I as a Jew have the right to do what I want without any responsility, just because I am choosen by "God". What kind of "God" where are believing then if we are destroying what "Allmighty" created for all humans, also non-jews? I dont understand this? Can any one answer me this question, please? Aron Meyer

CBK: "The land in question was NEVER Arab owned. It is owned by Jews legally and has been squatted on illegally by Arabs who grabbed it up." CBK: "These trees are in Israel and I feel bad for the poor saplings." I'm curious about how you got from the first paragraph to the second? That these trees are on "land was owned by Jews" may (or may not) have some basis in law but, regardless, how does the fact that "the land was owned by Jews" mean that these trees are "in Israel"? After all, I'm certain that Ronald Lauder owns significant amounts of land in the USA, and there is no question that he is Jewish. Does that mean that every time he purchases property in the USA then the territory the property sits upon is now "in Israel"? If I follow your "logic" the answer is, apparently, "Every property that Lauder buys in the USA is annexed to Israel".

During the Peloponnesian war it was the only thing the Spartans and the Athenians would not do - tear down olive trees. In the midst of war lasting decades, it was considered the ultimate barbarity to destroy something so good and wholesome.

Is it only Migron ? How about Biram, Ikrit, Ein Hod etc. etc. ??????

These settlers are not building a state, they are simply destroying people's lives. Is this what their Torah and G-d has taught them? Is this what being Jewish means? If it does, then Jews are the biggest menace on earth. I know this to not be true. I wish the real Jews would step in and stop this scum from defacing their religion more than they deface a mosque. I live in the U.S. and we are always upset when Jewish places of worship are attacked. But if Jews find it ok to attack other people's places of worship, then they have no leg to stand on when their religious institutions are burned. Stop these evil settlers, the army must maintain order. If not, let the Palestinians defend themselves. I am confident these cowards would slink away if they encountered armed resistance.

They hamper Israel's legitimates claims for a unified Jersualem and are a liability to Israel. Israel needs a different ruling coalition formed by Likud Labour and Kadima which should endorse Obama's peace plan. Any American proposals will not look different from Clinton proposals (2000) which Israel embraced in Taba and were not enough for the palestinians. Even from Nataniahu's perspective, Israel should send the ball to the palestinian courtyard. Hard to believe thatpalestinians could accept now what they did not accept before. They will never relinquish the right of return. They will never recognize the Jewish state; will never accept a demilitarized state and will never recognize Israel legitimate claims in Jersualem's old city. If Fatah dares Hammas will liquidate them. Those, indeed, are minimal demands that even Obama will ask the Palestinians to concede in exchange for statehood.

to Israel? "These trees are in Israel" According to who? The Illegal claimant? No thanks, let's stick with facts. The fact is, Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem, was declared invalid under International Law. The sooner the lies stop, the sooner a solution will be found.

Renaming Poland and France would have been enough to nullify peoples bonds to the land and would give Germans the opportunity to claim the territory as their own. If it worked with Judea and Samaria....

Jewish settlers are the terrorists, and Netanyahu-Lieberman-Ultra Orthodox Jews are the enablers. This coalition is not good for Israel nor for the world. The EU, USA and Russia need to be aggressive in protecting the rights and future of the Palestinian people from Israeli terrorism.

If one did their research they would find that the land in question is not owned by Arabs but is being grabbed by Arabs who claim it. This is all too common and never reported upon.

if a state finances, organises and encourages religious fanatics to live in occupied territories, don't blame the fanatic. It is all the responsibility of the state of Israel. The biggest problem is that the many israeli citizens that feel bad about the settlers, blame ... the settlers. They don't understand that by electing likud, shas or even labour, they elect the precise people who support these settler thugs! Look at the Knesset: INcluding Labour, the left consists of 27 out of 120 seats! excluding Labour (whose leader Ehud Barak is constantly defending the rights and sensitivities of the settlers), the left is 13 out 120 seats! And excluding the Arab parties, the Jewish Israeli left is 4 (!) out of 120 seats. The numbers tell the whole story: Israel has become an right wing, intolerant, paranoid and religous country. Don't expect them to solve the problem! Don't be so naive to think they will stop the settlers...

The land in question was NEVER Arab owned. It is owned by Jews legally and has been squatted on illegally by Arabs who grabbed it up. These trees are in Israel and I feel bad for the poor saplings.

"The fate of Judea and Samaria neighborhoods cannot be decided upon in a hearing in this [Supreme Court] or any other court" - Migron settlers "In the Migron case there is no dispute over the fact that the housing was built illegally on Palestinian Land, the demolition orders have been issued but never implemented. The state has declared its intentions to implement the orders but to no action has been taken so far." - http://www.peacenow.org.il/site/en/peace.asp?pi=370&docid=2006 Already in February 2007 the Israel Supreme Court decided that the illegal outpost of Migron had to be removed. Not only was it built on private Arab land, but with no government authorization at all; they just grabbed the land and started building. On the side, they harass and uproot their Arab neighbors' trees. So far, the Defense Ministry keeps delaying the evacuation order. Barak is afraid of the settlers' criminality (may be they will uproot his own home?) and prefers to evacuate them peacefully by having offered an alternative site, to be built at STATE EXPENSE. Of course, with the construction freeze, we are getting a new excuse for the delay. Better get the criminals out ASAP. Is Israel a state of law or a state of low-lives?

"The fate of Judea and Samaria neighborhoods cannot be decided upon in a hearing in this [Supreme Court] or any other court" - Migron settlers "In the Migron case there is no dispute over the fact that the housing was built illegally on Palestinian Land, the demolition orders have been issued but never implemented. The state has declared its intentions to implement the orders but to no action has been taken so far." - http://www.peacenow.org.il/site/en/peace.asp?pi=370&docid=2006 Already in February 2007 the Israel Supreme Court decided that the illegal outpost of Migron had to be removed. Not only was it built on private Arab land, but with no government authorization at all; they just grabbed the land and started building. On the side, they harass and uproot their Arab neighbors' trees. So far, the Defense Ministry keeps delaying the evacuation order. Barak is afraid of the settlers' criminality (may be they will uproot his own home?) and prefers to evacuate them peacefully by having offered an alternative site, to be built at STATE EXPENSE. Of course, with the construction freeze, we are getting a new excuse for the delay. Better get the criminals out ASAP. Is Israel a state of law or a state of lowlives?

It's the settlers who do whatever they want to do and the IDF that makes sure they can do that without getting hurt. Israelis who don't live there don't know and don't want to know.

justify what Israel's expansionist policies. "They will take it as they tried to take it in Jordan and Lebanon" Uh? "Why should Jews give them their land .." You must conflate to fly your argument, quite the deceit one come to expect from almost anyone who tries to justify the illegal acquisition of Palestinian territory. It's not Israeli land to give.

A very good idea to sue the Israeli settlers as you suggest, but where? would a Canadian cort take the case or is it posible that the zionest arm has already extended to Canada, while people in Canada are in a deep sleep?

the israeli government is an inspiration and a shield to the settlers' movement. the idf responds to the government's initiatives and don't pay much attention to unlawful settlers' rampagings, while they concentrate their efforts to carry out orders directed to the deporting, evicting, demolishing, raiding activities against the palestinians who instead of receiving protection they receive accusations of terrorism.

You ask why Jews should give them their land? I would remind you Germany conquered and was running France and Poland in the early 40's. That did not make those countries their land.

They will take it as they tried to take it in Jordan and Lebanon,but first,hide Christian population from them if you want to avoid similar massacres that they commited in those two countries. Why should Jews give them their land if you can give yours?Let them prosper on your own land from where your descendants will be shipped to Alaska as soon as they feel strong enough to claim your land for themselves. Be generous,be multiculturalist and help them to create historical bonds and rights to your country.It is so enriching that you...,but you know that right?

The real problem is that those Israelis who abhor what is being done by the settlers will once again just shrug their shoulders and move on.

Avi 18 speaks of "The Arabs". This term applies to people living in 20 different countries. Among them, according to UNICEF, the "Palestinian Autonomous Territories". The people concerned here are called Palestinian. According to the headline of this article, so are the uprooted trees.

As an israeli you have the guts to post a message like this ? Most of palestinian land was taken by force in 48 up till nowdays and you talk about law ? How about palestinians who fled the country and could never return to their house ? You still talk about law ? You're a shame !

Settler soldiers are likely to favour settlers over Palestinians.

how about referencing that statement?! Or is that the lie you settlers (Cause you live in Jerusalem, I'm calling you a settler) like to tell each other so you can sleep better at night.

WHEN I READ WORDS LIKE THE ONES YOU HAVE WRITTEN I GET SCARED THAT A GREAT COUNTRY LIKE Israel will be destroyed by mindless fascists like yourself. You probably think the world is flat if you beleive what you have written. Dont forget that ignorance is bliss wilfull ignorance is a crime.

Migron is an ilegal outpost, it should have been evacuated long time ago, why do we, a state of low and justice, tolerate them? why don't we put in jail this bunch of outlow?

This new technique is already old: accusing the Palestinians of having stolen the land they have occupied for 2,000 years because before that the Jews had conquered it from the Filastin of the Bible! I wonder how long before a new 'final solution' will be set up by some crazy people with the same sense of justice of the zionists? what is your god doing? please stop justifying your crimes by hiding behind some false god!

If Jews had accepted Ouganda as proposed after world war 2, would they have been able to do as good business as they are doing in the Holy Land? Settlers rape all laws about territories claiming the whole land is theirs. Piece after piece, they scrounge the Palestinian`s places. Then come the investers and the promoters to build luxurious properties which they sell to very rich people who want to have a permanent or temporary lodging in the Holy Land. Real estate is good business everywhere in the world, but in the Holy Land, it`s gold business. And in Jerusalem, it`s diamond business. The Holy Land was supposed to be a place where endangered people could retreat. It`s now the place where humble people are persona non grata and endangered. Only Mamon could do that. Only the race for big money could do that. Business is the key of the settlement problems. Money always is the first parameter one should think of to understand a conflictual situation.

We hear so much about Jewish Values that has to be preserved. So my question is:'Are these settlers representing such values"??

The land is owned by palestinians. Keep in mind that it is located in the WB. Your argument is not valid. Peace from Gaza City

... only when the settlers are involved? ... if Pals had vandalised settler property there would have been instant retribution...

Incident like this are commonplace on the Westbank. The area is already infested with settlements, and many settlers misbehave badly.

....and at the same time 76 senators write a letter to Clinton rebuking the Obama administration for mistreating Israel. Anyone in their right mind knows that the Jewish lobby (by the way the letter was endorsed by AIPAC) owns the congress when it comes to anything related Israel. Anyone in their right mind also knows that in order for Israel to change its ways it has to pay a price (weapons, aid, US veto in the UNSC should be conditional on Israel's behavior). There lies the problem. This is rather sickening. Any wonder the Arabs and the world think that the US is a dishonest broker? For once we have a president that is trying to be more fair and look how the Zionists have dragged his name through mud.

The Arabs don't own the land on whichthey planted those trees. They are trying to grab land that isn't theirs. The law dating back to the Jordanians is that if someone plants on land that has no owner and nobody stops them, it becomes theirs after 7 years. That is what the Arabs there are trying to do. When Jews do it, the leftists complain. When Arabs do it, it is naturally assumed to be theirs without even checking to see that the land is actually registered in their names- which it isn't.

with the one about Barak asking for the demolition of an illegal (even to Israel)settlemt to be delayed. Then ask yourselves whether or not the Palestinians have very legitimate grievences.

Sue the Israeli settlement and the police/army for all the damages, plus pain and suffering.

Illegal settlers, at the forefront of Israel's illegal acquisition of Palestinian lands, while dissing their own religion. AMAZING that these people can be allowed into Israel, let alone illegally settle. It serves to undermine the very notions of a 'Jewish' State.

what a heathen bunch of morons they are... nothing Jewish about them at all!

Hooligans, criminals, and terrorists, with the silent blessing of the IDF. Isn't Zionism wonderful?

"Abu Hussein said that if the army guarded the villagers like it guards the settlers, 'none of it would have happened.' " Too true. The duty of care for an occupying power is to a) protect itself and to b) protect the "protected persons" who are under its authority. Its duty of care does not extend to "citizens of the occupying power" for the very simple reason that it must PREVENT THOSE CITIZENS FROM TRANSFERRING INTO OCCUPIED TERRITORY. Israel is abusing its position as the occupying power, and this is a classic example in miniature. Shameful. Utterly shameful.

This kind of action is despicable. It will never solve any problems either on the contrary , It will only create more hate and reprises back and forth. Real shame.

These scavengers who call themselves settlers will just have to go live somewhere else. I am a Palestinian living in the U.S. and their actions have convinced me to move back to my HOMELAND. We will grow more trees and breed more babies we will outlast you and eventually you will go away. We seen it before with the Crusader States. It all happened before.

It seems that Palestinians can be routinely arrested and have their houses bulldozed for alleged terrorism, while the religious freaks can do whatever they want. Not really surprising in a theocracy where the IDF turns a blind eye to settler terrorism, and the courts never find them guilty of any crime.

How shameful! This is what some Israelis have come to.

How could anyone destroy an olive tree for no reason other than ill feelings toward another people? Hopefuuly iran takes out these sick minded settlers.

This is another form of terrorism. Too bad those debating divestment at Berkley cant know about this in time

When did Israel become a nation which not only allowed, but fostered Pogroms? What has happened to make Israel into the same sort of nation it's founders fled?

Which is it? Is the IDF three blind mice, or three brass monkeys?

They done it themselves. Now you wonder why?

Does anyone think it would be even remotely possible for a crowd of Palestinians to keep damaging Jewish property without the IDF climbing all over them? This is just another example of Israel's institutional hostility and disregard for Palestinian rights.