Opinion
The Palestinian UN sideshow
Moshe Dann
Published: 31.05.11, 18:06
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26 Talkbacks for this article
1. Should preempt them
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (05.31.11)
The Jews living in Judea and Samaria should declare their own states. If the Arabs can have 22 states - why not 2 or 3 for the Jews? They live there, it's their land, they can ally themselves with Israel, they would more economically viable than any Arab state, it's legal under international law and the State of Israel refuses to extend Israeli civil law to them. Then let's see the racists scream.
2. Show this article to Ehud Barak
Rachel ,   US   (05.31.11)
No one has done more to bring pressure on Israel with his hysterical cries of "tsunami." Oh how I wish Bibi would can this loser.
3. to #1 - I like the way you think
YEA ,   Israel A   (05.31.11)
Actually that may be the best answer. I would move to THAT Jewish state for sure.
4. Use UN to scare the BG's out of us to make us compromise?
MK ,   Israel   (05.31.11)
This article makes complete sense. Israel just needs to say NO. Point the "show us peace finger" back at the PLO. No give aways, no compromises. NO LAND.
5. Israel will benefit from coming "Palestine" fiasco.
Chaim ,   Israel   (05.31.11)
Dann is right on target. The reason people like Ehud Barak are sowing fear about the upcoming "Palestine" statehood proclamation is because they want to frighten Israel into making more lunatic concessions. In fact, Israel will benefit hugely from the coming "Palestine" statehood fiasco, which will dwarf the 1988 fiasco. It will prove, once and for all, that "Palestine" is a joke. A malicious anti-Jewish joke, but a joke nevertheless.
6. A perfect time to pitch "Jordan is Palestine"
Andrew ,   Miami,FL   (05.31.11)
ok - they all want a "solution" - so give them one - make the arab states - make a palestinian state - its functional all the way around - to destroy israel in the process is NOT functional.
7. #1 Nice idea
Jarda ,   Czech Republic   (05.31.11)
"They live there, it's their land" Do you admit the same right to Palestinians in 1947?
8. It would behoove the Palestinians to read the UN charter.
Rachel ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (05.31.11)
Once they become a "state" they can no longer hide behind the EU, US or UN in their collective hatred for the State of Israel. The UN charter they will sign makes it incumbent upon them to make and keep the peace. Should they keep doing what they have been doing since 1929, inciting violence and committing terrorist acts, they will then be in violation of the UN charter and they can be held accountable, i.e., face military action by the UN. I guess they should have read the fine print first.
9. What do they seek? To legitimize their war crimes.
Brian Cohen ,   Judean Peoples Front   (05.31.11)
The Palestinians have a problem, since both Amnesty and HRW have correctly labelled their "resistance" for what it is: war crimes and crimes against humanity. Crikey - even Judge Goldstone made the same conclusions. However, the Pals are obviously hoping that the UN will call the West Bank a "country", meaning they can kill Israelis who would be "invaders" instead of "occupiers". They want to get away with murder. Nothing new, of course, since they've been getting away with murder for decades. However, they want world opinion to support them when they resume killing Israel civilians starting in September.
10. The PA's attempt to gain statehood is downright ridiculous.
Harry Wright ,   UK   (05.31.11)
The need to learn to live like civilized human beings first. Granting statehood to a people who are engaged in perpetual 'resistance' and cannot even maintain themselves is totally ridiculous.
11. Time to rethink strategy?
C McCoy ,   Canada   (05.31.11)
There seems to be an absolute taboo, all around the world, of any nation state giving up even one square mile of its territory, no matter how fractious that territory may be. Would it not make sense to simply give Gaza the heave ho, unilaterally declare them an independent nation state and hang onto the West Bank? No further responsibility in terms of any form of aid; when attacks come, they are genuine acts of war, can be dealt with appropriately. When two states fight, there is far more latitude in world opinion than when a nation is hanging on to a colony. It's not like Israel wants or needs that land, and it's not like those people are going away; a stroke of the Knesset's pen could turn them into their own nation. It then becomes their responsibility to stop rocket attacks or face the consequences. Now as an aside, if a Canadian living along the border started shooting into the US, it would become the responsibility of the Canadian government to stop him immediately, before the Americans decide to do it for them. A Gaza government would have the same responsibility.
12. New Jewish State
Max ,   Washington DC   (05.31.11)
Concur - the Arabs and Muslims have numerous States and so can the Jewish People! Jews living in Judea and Samaria, should demand an independant, contiguous State of their own living side by side in Peace with a Palestinian State.
13. Is it any surprise?
RobJohn ,   Seattle, Wash.   (05.31.11)
Never, ever have these people(called what ever you will)made the effort at real, honest action for any form of peace. It actually causes the world to ask the question, "Do these people know the meaning of the Word-Peace?" They have been given everything, and that means exactly what it says, "EVERYTHING". Yet, they are not content. They demand more, more, more. The world has seen enough already. NO MORE GIVING. Israel has done more than is called for. She has been living in peril her entire time since '48. She has tried giving but gets nothing but death in return. She has offered more than any other civilized country(people)would yet is responded too with acts of carnage. She is not going anywhere. Is this a reality the surrounding neighbors have no understanding of? Or...are they so fixated on Israels total demise as that mindset is all they see and desire? For all fairminded persons, the truth is obvious. The more Israels neighbors are "given" day after day, year after year, the less incentive they have of working towards any form of lasting peace and life as neighbors. It is analogous with feeding a person who is hooked on drugs.....why would they feel any need to become cleansed? Just continue feeding their addiction and life is great. So to with Israels neighbors. They are being fed continuously, donations from "caring" partners who ask for nothing in return...and get exactly that. Israel is asked to continue to accept this folly. She is foolish to do so. Enough is enough. Irregardless if Obama agrees or not. Anything less is aiding the addicted.
14. Jarda #7 oh yes
GeeZ ,   Zikron Yaakov   (05.31.11)
Since in 1947 the Palestinians were Jews not Arabs. And the international laws that confirmed our ownership of the land was written in 1920. Not too bright of you.
15. American Veto will be lethal
American   (06.01.11)
for the credibility of the US throughout the entire international community. Everyone recognisers how Israel has repeatedly snubbed its nose at the recommendation of the US and how their attempt to reconstitute negotiations has ended in repeated failures due to Israel's ongoing settlement campaign. Nations will see how the US imbalance in its foreign policy has nothing to do with justice, advocacy of democracy or anything other than subservience to domestic politics and the power and influence of the insidious AIPAC lobby. The reprecusssions do not bode well for the US or our position in the Middle East.
16. how can jews tell arabs whats minor and major for them
kren   (06.01.11)
no wonder everyone hates jews
17. #16 kren. That post could not be sillier, truly.
Harry Wright ,   UK   (06.01.11)
Let me help you. The Jews are not telling Arabs what is minor or major. The writer is stating an opinion or an evaluation based on the current turmoil in the ME. You know, like he is saying that Arab rulers are facing such real threats of being toppled that the silly Pals and their machinations towards statehood are not their priorities. How is that? Simple enough for you? Now that is a silly statement: "everyone hates jews". Speak for yourself and the Arabs. I'll tell you one fact though - everyone loves the Arab oil even though the Arabs themselves are not loved. Who in their right mind could love a backward, primitive, cruel and brutal people??? It is the oil we love, not people who suppress women and practice beheading, honour killings and dismemberment. You are pathetic.
18. #14 That's right.I didn't think about that in this way.
Keren ,   IL-BR   (06.01.11)
If Israel called Israel Palestine in 1947,what would be one possibility,what would "palis"be inventing to name their invention? "Arabwood"perhaps?
19. 7 Jarda
Ronny Judah ,   Melbourne Australia   (06.01.11)
Your mistake.Palestinians living in 1947 in Israel does not give them the right to claim that Israel belongs to them, where as the Jews living in Yehuda and Shomoron and all of Israel belongs to them as promissed by the Allmighty.The settelments have been liberated and not occupied as people don't understand we are the choosen ones and as promissed we are returning to our Holy Land.
20. To 16 -
Oren ,   Israel/NJ   (06.01.11)
its a news article, opinion peace, presenting someones opinion about something. In this case the palestinian pursuit of un recognition just how journalists from all over speculate about events from all over ...why if your going to be ignorant and senseless would you post something like that... let me guess, you work at..... mcdonalds?...landscaping? its gotta be something that doesnt take much brains
21. Pal/s declare statehood, cut all services
OnTheOtheSideu ,   USA   (06.01.11)
The moment the Pals declare independence Israel ought to cut off all services lock up all crossings turn off the water and lights and let them be independent. At that time any intend to terrorize Israel would be an act of war.....
22. #14
Jarda ,   Czech Republic   (06.01.11)
So how could be the ownership confirmed to anyone, who didn't live there?
23. Israel applied for UN membership before its elections too
Hostage   (06.01.11)
24. Jarda #22 ever hear of international law?
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (06.01.11)
Say the San Remo Treaty, Mandate for Palestine or even heaven forbid the UN Charter? Have you ever heard of those? I ask because you have never bothered to read any one of them have you? You prove this daily. Also according to both the Ottoman Empire and the British Peel Commission of 1937, Jews bought vast tracts of land from absentee landholders. I own a couple homes in the United States, so according to you I shouldn't be able to confirm ownership merely because I live else where? Sorry but that is a farce. Notice the special rule for 'Palestinian refugees'. They merely had to live in the Mandate from 1946-1948. Why, one might ask. It's simple over 80% of the Arabs were not born there and most were not even there long enough to be considered residents. Under the Geneva Convention definition of refugees almost none of the Arabs are refugees.
25. Judea Statehood would be successful.
Chaim ,   Israel   (06.01.11)
#1. Your idea is excellent. Since Israel refuses to annex Judea and Samaria or even extend Israeli law to Judea and Samaria; Judea and Samaria should declare statehood. In the future, when Israel has a truly patriotic government, the State of Judea could elect to become part of Israel. Judea Statehood would be successful, unlike the fictional Palestinian declaration of statehood.
26. Israels Divisions are Not Helping However
Noah Lev ,   HollywoodUSA   (06.02.11)
Its amazing that so many US tv journalists, writers and pundits are throwing the ball into Israel's court. They repeat that its Bibis fault..and his looking over his shoulder at his right wing parties and Shas. Its not about diplomcacy, its about his ego and tenure They equate the current Pals formula to the Arab Leagues plan a few years ago, with some modifications. Now we read Abbas will go to the GA to circumvent a US veto. But its about consulates/embassies on the ground (W.Bk) and boots on the ground. Abbas is forcing a UN confrontation with Israel, sidestepping the US.Whether a sideshow or not, this is the focus right now (convenity of Arab aspirations. I think the current Arab play is more complex than stated in t his article. Livni is not helping. 1m more Jews migrating to Israel would help.
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