Israel must crack down on settler lawlessness

"The settlers will do what they are told only when they are told WHY." (Akram Zekaria) Why, they have been told long ago. 29 years ago, to be precise. "The effort to hold the conquered territories proves itself to be not the crowning point of our history, but rather a trap, a burden not to be borne without degradation, corruption, and perhaps even collapse. The striving to dominate and rule, at the end of the 20th century, a hostile foreign population different in its language, history, culture, religion, national consciousness and aspirations - is like the attempt to revive feudalism. Not only will the effort to annex the territories not provide security; it will weaken the capacity to protect ourselves from our neighbors' hostility and the opposition of the nations." From an Open Letter to then-PM Begin, 1980, by Jacob Talmon (1916-1980), then Professor of Modern History at the Hebrew U of Jerusalem, and 1957 Israel Prize for Social Sciences. www.fmep.org/analysis/analysis/a-prophetic-message-from-the-past In 1980, when our settlement adventure was still in infancy, when Hamas was a name nobody had heard yet, seven years before the first Intifada, and 27 years before the Hamas takeover of the entire Gaza Strip, now an Islamist enclave Israel cannot live with - nor defeat.

And the rights of the Palestinians who just happened to be living on the land when Israel "took control", as you put it? Got any thoughts about them?

Freezing building of Jews anywhere the State of Israel has control is the epitome of an anti-Zionist act, which thereby violates the basic tenets of Israel. The anti-democractic freeze is immoral, and should be opposed by any person dedicated to democracy and the Jewish people.

If you feel the matter of rights should be disregarded because that section was drawn by imperialistic powers, it follows the rest of the San Remo thing should be disregarded for the same reasons. Thank you for bringing this up. l trust you will no longer bring up the San Remo thing, since it was drawn up by imperialistic powers and therefore invalid.

"This time the government is doing just that i.e trying to sell the country from under the peoples feet" The land did not belong to the Israeli government or the illegal settlers who moved there in defiance of the Geneva Convention. The land belongs to thr Palestinians who were living there when the Israeli squatters arrived after 1967.

"The Pals have 2 states: One in Gaza (that is jew free) and the other in Jordan (with 75% of the population Palestinians)" Says who but you? Jordan could be 99% Palestinian and that would not cause it to be the new Palestinian State. Jordan is ruled by Jordanians, just as the Palestinian state will have Palestinian rulers.

Why should anyone read the San Remo convention in reference to issues affecting Israel and Palestine today? San Remo did nothing but assign the Palestine mandate to the British. Again. What's you point?

Your posting makes no sense. The Balfour declaration was incorporated into the British Mandate for Palestine. The British Mandate expired at midnight on 14 May 1948 when Israel declared statehood under UN resolution 181. So what do you mean? "No Israeli Gov't or any other Gov't has the power to change the Balfour declaration..." It no longer exists. It is no longer an instrument in international law. So what's your point?

Israel must crack down on government idocy and carelessness and leave the settlers alone.Why were they not told that they will be the victims of a criminal agreement between BB and the blockhead O.Why should peace loving people pay when PA Arabs have no intention to talk peace? And , BTW, could someone get the abominable4 Barak out of the picture?!

Paul, Sure, I hear you saying that Jordan, Egypt, etc. have a responsibility to absorb all of the Arab Palestinians from Judea and Samaria. You saying it doesn't make it happen and you know, though you hate to admit it, that it will never happen. So you need to develop a world view that doesn't include that particular time line. If you do not then you are responsible for whatever demographic eventualities occur. Peace. Stephen

by an imperialistic powers ! too many nitwits who post try to put a modern context to old treaties ! please specify what rights were being referrred to and whose rights they were ? better or worse than the ottomans ? better or worse than britain or france colonies ?

While this motley crew of fanatics and usurpers demonstrates and defies, the general population of Israel does absolutley nothing. Nothing of "No Passeron" about them. There they sit sipping their coffee in the cares of TA utterly unconcerned about what is going on in the occupied territories. Perhaps they really don't care but their lack of involvement and apathy says more about the future of Israel than does the rablings from the squatter ilk.

cummings really ? bully boys ? and the usa is as pure as the driven snow ? the usa does not support demagogues ? cummings wake up and smell the coffee !

It's fascinating how with all your dependence on the San Remo convention you never seem to read the part that specifies that this is without compromise to the civic or religious rights of the other inhabitants. I know there are none so blind as those who cannot see, but you are pushing that rather far.

in all things performance is the indicator of contractual intent ! NOR DOES IT SAY IT SHOULDNT TAKE ALL !!! as alawyer you appear to be unable to see both sides ??

You told them to come to Israel & where they must settle. And they did what they are being told. Now you wants them to leave from where they are told to settle because you are telling them so ! They are not toys ! What if your 2nd marching order is wrong ? What if staying where they are now is right ? What will be your 3rd order ? To go back from where they came ! Or let themselves thrown into the sea; as the enemy said so many times ?! The settlers will do what they are told only when they are told WHY! They have the right to know ! If the lease is over & they will have to move; this was not written on the first contract when they came! Indeed, a contract is a contract & needs to be followed. And that is not "lawlessness". That is only democracy that doesn't suits you today. Governments, sometimes also 'takes the law in its own hands'. This time the government is doing just that i.e trying to sell the country from under the peoples feet !(The following I am not allowed to write).

"Israel has long since lost its status as victim and became one of the most notorious aggressors that the whole world is watching with disbelief!!!" Unfortunately enough, this is certainly true...

Israel could find itself torn apart from within over this settler movement. If Israel does not halt the settlers' illegal activities pretty quick the future does not look good for "the only democracy in the Middle East"...

'There are 51 Moslem states + several scores of states in Asia and South/Central America, living under DICTATORIAL regime , lack of freedom and poverty. Yet NO ONE of the Goym writers here, are concerned with this!' On what basis do you arrive at this conclusion? Active democrats are actively opposed to ALL dictatorships, land-grabs and regional bully-boys, wherever they are. You want us all to talk about what's going on in Darfur, N Korea and Honduras in Haaretz? Fine, you take the lead and we'll join in. It won't of course mean that Israel and its unpleasant actions come in for any less scrutiny and criticism.

The only fair, realistic and humane solution is ODISSA One Democratic Independant Secular State for All

Do those states that you are so bothered about actually sell themselves as the only democracy in the middle east?

Its natural and expected tat after decades of harassment,violence and publically disrespectful behavior towards Jewish women by Paletinians that there would be young Jewish hot heads that would act out. In stark journalistic contrast, if it were Palestinians acting out, Haaretz would of course "understand". The real reason that the Palestinians want their area Jew-free is that they don't want 20% of their population to be a hostile, armed minority population, and disloyal to their govenrment. No country would want to put up with that, right?

...incentives as well.

There are 51 Moslem states + several scores of states in Asia and South/Central America, living under DICTATORIAL regime , lack of freedom and poverty. Yet NO ONE of the Goym writers here, are concerned with this! All flock ,read and comment daily to the one LEFTIST Israeli newspaper! WHY???

I'm sorry but in the UK a western democracy BtW if you object to what your government does you can demonstrate and lobby Parliament (like the Israeli lobby in the UK does) and get them to change the law, or government policy. You do not break the law because you disagree with it, and then expect to do so with impunity. Just because Shas or Bietenau Yisrael are in the cabinet does not make their supporters above the law. It is for their representatives to change the law or prove that it is unlawful to order a settlement freeze with house building allowed. So as I asked and you didn't answer Is Israel a country modelled on western democratic values as we are told and subject to the rule of law? Or is it a mirror image of Pakistan and Afghanistan, ruled by religious fundamentalists? Simple yes or no answer will suffice.

The Pals have 2 states: One in Gaza (that is jew free) and the other in Jordan (with 75% of the population Palestinians)

"... and all of this is in the Jewish homeland" No, it is not. It is in Palestinian areas occupied by Israel since 1967, where all Israeli settlements are illegal (Fourth Geneva Convention, Art. 49).

Mr. Hardman, You are constantly trumpeting the "Balfour Declaration," the "Anglo-American Conference," the "Mandate for Palestine," and a bevy of other "international treaties." Yet, every time I read the texts of one of your favorite documents it never says anything about Jewish dominion over all of the historic land of Israel as you claim. In fact, none of them other than the partition agreement of the United Nations in 1948 actually specifies any borders at all. Your shrill cries of Balfour and Mandate are beginning to sound very stale and trite indeed. Peace. Stephen

I cannot understand the settlers. I thought that the settlers did not want the Palestinians to become full citizens of Israel because of demographic issues. However, if they continue to settle all of Judea and Samaria, there will be no possibility of a separate Palestinian state. There must be the possibility of economic viability and the settlers are actively sabotaging that possibility. The probability that their pipe dream of Israel taking the drastic and inhumane measures of "expulsion" or "transfer" are absolutely zero. The only remaining conclusion is citizenship of the West Bank residents. Thereby the settlers will have actually created the demographic bomb that they so feared. Is it possible that they do not see the logical consequences of their own actions? Peace. Stephen

...can continue to stand (provided it purchases a Zimmer Frame).

Israel is a democracy based on Jewish values - those values just happen to be borrowed by later monotheistic practices attributed to being "Western values."

democracy is where there is a majority vote for a party and its manifesto. if a party cannot obey its mandate to rule it must resign ! likuds premier has failed in democratic rule !

his 'roots' and the spirit that founded Israel. These settlers may lose in the short run but Bibi will lose more. It will be two steps forward and one step back. Its not going to end as long as there are settlers and patriots as these who are living examples of the spirit that founded Israel.

Where is the so called "majority" that harbours the same feelings as those expressed in this editorial? Why are they not demonstrating demanding that the government arrest these thugs? Who controls opinion in Israel or are we to believe that they are too disinterested in the whole thing and dont want their lives riled by this?

What a disgrace ! There are still People out there, in this case Community Leaders, who try to protect their Homeland even while being paid by the Government. This is outrages !

I find it interesting that a "roge nation" N. Korea is able to sustain itself, receive foreign aid, develop N. weapons, and threaten its peace abiding neighbors and the US who make no claim on its territory. Yet Israel, under constant threat of annihilation by its neighbors, is being labeled as an enemy of peace and pressed for land concessions by everybody in the world. A little more nastiness is whats needed. By the way, there was a 1000 ft tunnel discovered from Mexico into San diego. Has anyone reported on the hundreds of tunnels dug from Gaza and Lebanon into Israel and filled with tons of explosives to blow up IDF concentrations at the borders?

the threat to the existence of the jewish state by the settlers is well known and well understoog by bibi, barak, omert livni et al. why this resistance to stopping settlements and the bs about no one to talk to? simple answer, israeli politicians have let the settler situation get out of control and serious peace talks will result in a civil war. no pm is ready to unleash a civil war. settlers and crazies have infiltrated the idf, mossad, shin bet and all the institutions. which you you rather do - upset obama or start a civil war?

This has been going on ever since Rabbi Moshe Levinger "rented rooms" in Hebron in 1968, and no Israeli government ever did a thing to stop him. The government - every government, every ruling coalition - has always acquiesced to the settlers' actions and demands. The only PM who ever stood up to the settlers was the hated Ariel Sharon, who forcibly evacuated all Jewish settlers from Gaza. It was good that the settlers were evacuated, bad that the IDF didn't stay there.

Anyone who knows Israelis - especially the fanatics - should not be surprised by this kind of behavior and lack of respect for the law by these Jews living in the territories. I do not even call them Israelis because I am refuse to acknowledge them as citizens of our country when they do not respect the law. Successive Israeli governments have kowtowed to these fools who think they are doing G-d's work when in fact, they are destroying the State of Israel. These people use the claim that they are "protecting" the country from Arab invaders - BULL! A fence or a wall can do a much better job and a strong military to support it. It is very sad and unless the government takes SERIOUS measures, the situation will only get worse.

If Israel does not put an end to the settlers lawlessness and illegal activity, They will put an end to Israel. It is time for Israel to act and put those crazies back in their box!

... and never-the-twain-shall-part... ... whoever condoned this golem and nurtured its growth, is fully responsible for its current rampage...

nased on Western values, and the rule of Law. Or it is the Jewish vrsion of Pakistan and Afghanistan, where the religious far right run the country. Is there any point in negotiating with Israel if Israel cannot enforce what it promises.

No country can or should accept that a part of their population thinks the law is not for them! And if Israel keeps treating these lunatics with kid-gloves it will only get worse! Act now, it is long, long overdue!

In normal countries laws are obeyed. Not so here. Here we seem to think that laws are merely suggestions that can be flouted at will. It's like flying on El Al when the captain turns on the seat belt sign and asks passengers to sit down. Normally, passengers obey the rule, but not us Israelis. To us, it is merely a suggestion to be accepted or rejected. The government must crack down on those who violate or who tells others to violate the construction freeze. It's not a matter anymore of whether the freeze is good or bad; the law must be obeyed. Otherwise this is no longer a state!!!

It's a pity to see all sorts of crimes committed by the settlers (and others) that go unpunished. The Palestinians are people with rights too. They are entitled to live decently, to have their state and to raise their kids peacefully. What we see here is not very encouraging. Too bad for Israel. Israel has long since lost its status as victim and became one of the most notorious aggressors that the whole world is watching with disbelief!!!

this has nothing to do with religion but everything to do with Justice. You can't just stop thousands of regular tax paying citizens from building their homes which have been approved by the Gov, based on their religion or race. Do you not think the Palestinians should also stop building to show the will to live in peace. What about the poor secular family who moved just out of Jerusalem because their gov offered them a good deal. What about the family who OWNS the land, now they are screwed.

2000 yrs ago, Judea effectively ended when the Jews within the walls of Jerusalem destroyed each other while the Roman army waited outside. Could the same scenario unfold today? Israelis destroy each other while the enemy patiently waits outside the walls. When studying Jewish history, one eventually appreciates the nonlinearity of time.

Moshe also says: "Barak`s lawless behavior is driving the country toward revolution." No revolution in Israel, Moshe! You can remain there, and revolt there, as much as you wish. The IDF will have to retreat. Permanently.

from within and the other from without. If so .this is the fault of the leaders who have abandoned their long-held principles and sold out to external political pressures or just sold out period ! Yes, crack down as the British did in N. Ireland. That's the ticket ! Crack down as the British did in 1947 and 48 in Israel. That will get the job done ! NOT ! Crack Down? This government is headed for a 'crack up' ! All the Kings horses and all the Kings men will not be able to put this humpty-dumpty government back together again !

If a law is racist, which this is, then it MUST be protested. If the Arabs can build, illegally for that matter, with no reprocutions, but the Jews are denied the right to build, and all of this is in the Jewish homeland, then something is fundamentally wrong with the government and law makers. Something is also fundementally wrong with Obama and his racist policies against Jews in Israel. Like in the U.S. over 40 years ago, racist laws must be protested against and put an end to.

Perhaps you should, especially article 49, which Israel violates on a daily basis with it's illegal settlements in occupied territory..

What about the secular, atheist settlers? There is no lawlessness since there is no law being broken.

Barak's lawless behavior is driving the country toward revolution. His arbitrary and repressive decrees against Jewish citizens not only do violence to Jewish law, but they're not even legitimate by Israeli law. Under Barak's influence, the Israeli government is now at war with its own people. The one who should be arrested and put on trial is Barak.

NO ISRAELI GOVT OR ANY OTHER GOVY HAS THE POWER OR AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THE BALFOUR DECLARATION OR THE ENSUING INTERNATINAL TREATIES !!

....if it would have taken over the Italian justice system...??? No way, that's gonna happen....

... he is allowing the culprits to sit cosy under pergolas and in enclosed porches... giving them a chance to rest a bit and plan more devious ways to stay put... ... villas-in-the-wild-west indeed the most description...

The settlers have operated unimpeded for decades. Every prime minister has cultivated the settler vote. The IDF has been notorious for ignoring settler excesses while assaulting the Palestinians. From all appearances, the settlers have the support of the Israeli government and perhaps the Israeli people. Settler behavior reflects Israeli policy.

how about freedom of civil rights like any country in the world to protest?

The Palestinians always likes to portray themselves as the jewel of Arab "democracies" in the Middle East, but in reality it`s just another theocratic dictatorship 1/2 ruled by organized criminals and the other 1/2 by religious extremists whose strings are pulled by Tehran. Moderate Palestinians should recognize that, wake up, and bring their nascent state back into the mainstream of law and order before it`s too late and they're just another tyranical Arab regime.

Israel always likes to portray itself as the jewel of democracies in the Middle East, but in reality it's just another theocracy ruled by religious extremists. Moderate Israelis should recognize that, wake up, and bring their state back into the mainstream democratic fold before it's too late.

...governments of all stripes have been encouraging settler lawlessness, either tacitly or explicitly, since 1967. In fact, the entire settlement drive, encouraged and promoted by those same governments, is by definition, illegal.

Oh it's not settler lawlessness...it's going to save your tuchases when the arabs decide to try and drive you into the sea. You've proposed a brain-dead claim about "lawlessness" but you don't want to go back to pre-1967 and examine the arab largess when it came to Jerusalem and Jewish gravestones and Jewish holy places in Samaria. Are you going to tell "us' that the arabs didn't tell their people to leave and get out & when the arab armies had wiped out the Jews then the fellahin would return and get to rape and enjoy all of the spoils? You guys are pathetic.