The presence of fairly large numbers of Arabs in Judea and Samaria does not negate Jewish ownership of our more than 3,500 year old ancestral heartland. A great many Arabs are already leaving Judea and Samaria. With a fair Israeli compensation plan, the vast majority of them would be happy to leave.

There is zero integrity in the odious ideology of Israeli retreat. Virtually every one of Israel's worst problems stems directly from leftist inspired Israeli concessions and retreats. You and Lenchner share a thankfully dying ideology. Judea and Samaria are almost 700,000 strong. Within 5 years, it will be about a million. Judea and Samaria are forever!

#5 Lee. Your post is composed of blessed words of pure glorious self respecting truth. It is absurd for Jewish leftists like Lenchner to pose as demigods who can decide where Jews may and may not live! Their ludicrous ideas don't merit a moment of consideration.

First the "settlements" aren't occupied territory, Israel has a legitimate reason to be there. Second, a majority of Israelis don't agree that the "1967 borders" are what the borders should be for Israel. There was no "palestinian" state with these borders at anytime in history. Third, "palestinians" have no rights while they continue to embrace terrorism and the slaughtering of Jews. Stop being nice to terrorists, they won't hesitate to kill you!

The Jordanian-Israeli Armistice agreement is very clear that the Green line will not change any legality of the land. Read the document. The fact is that whether fair or not there is no document in international law which gives the Palestinians as a nation the rights to the land. More than that According to the Geneva Convention land can only be occupied territory if it was taken from one higher-contracting party with a legal claim to it by another higher-contracting party. Since it was taken from Jordan who had no legal claim and the Palestinians are not a higher-contracting party, the land is disputed. The Mandate for Palestine gave Jews the right to live anywhere in W.Palestine. Lastly the Palestinians had most Autonomy of their cities and towns in 2000. Arafat refused to negotiate and decided to go on a suicide bombing campaign instead. Is there any other country in the world which would be willing to give up part of its country to a group whose sole reason for existence as a nation according to the PLO Charter 1964 was to destroy Israel and specifically NOT TO CREATE A STATE. If anyone can find a peaceful part of Palestinians society go ahead. Otherwise don't blame Israel or ask of it something you wouldn't do yourself.

No matter how many hatefull comments are posted in answer to this op ed...the writer is ofcourse very right. The Westbank hasn't been annexed..... the settlers want it all....be special and be normal. Fact is they can't untill the borders are settled in agreement with the palestinians. So artists performing there are in someway or another making a political statement. They should consider this and take it into account when asked to perform....

comments, Dr. Your important points unequivocally justify our presence in Judea and Samaria. Dr Jacques Gauthier, a gentile international lawyer from Quebec, spent 25 years researching who owns Jerusalem for his doctorate. Having examined this issue from every conceivable angle, he concluded that Israel does... Legally, politically and religiously.

If Ziv Lenchner really believes what he writes about the 'legality' of the 1967 'borders' and 'illegality' of Israel's settlements and 'occupation,he must be reading too many BBC news reports. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

The European left believes Tel Aviv university built on six Arab villages is occupied, so does the PA that demands any peace agreement include the right of return. No one who rejects Israeli settlement in Hebron accepts it in Tel Aviv.

Sorry that Leechner is pained at Jews celebrating in their land

The "ethical" line goes through Zhmerynka, because either Jews are entitled to Israel, or they are not. Our enemies do not distinguish between Migron and Kefar Shmariahu, nor should we. Putin offers a stipend to any jew relocating from Israel to the jewish autonomy in Birobijan, so dear Ziv, set an example, show us the backbone and end your occupation.

That's some sound medical advice, Doc. Too bad the pals/muslims/arabs' can't be persuaded by truth, it's alien to them. They prefer making up their own as they go along. Someone has to be the eternal loser, thank G-d it's them and not US or Israel, the apple of G-ds eye. Shalom.

Unfortunately you've got it all wrong. 1. The Puerto Ricans are very happy being part of the USA 2. The residents of the Falklands want to be British citizens. 3. It seems that the people of New Caledonia and Polynesia are also happy with their status. 4. If Israel was as big as China and carried as much political clout, we too could blow a raspberry at the world. 4. As for Cyprus, the only country really unhappy with the status quo is Greece. (Unlike our situation where 46 years of occupation are making countries and individuals think that the only way to force Israel to get out of Yosh is a financial and cultural boycott re South Africa) 5. "Israel has ... a legal right to the "West Bank" You are wrong again, not one state or international body supports this opinion.

If you knew history you would know that after 150 years of settlement in Algeria Charles de Gaul the arrogant Right wing leader of France, returned 1,500,000 settlers to France and gave independence to Algeria. So don't count your chickens before they hatch. (See also what I wrote to the good Dr.)

#44 Stan. There is no sane comparison between Israel's ancestral heartland of Judea and Samaria and Algeria. Judea and Samaria have belonged to Jews for more than 3,500 years. Jews are not colonists in Judea and Samaria. It is ours. That was never true regarding France and Algeria. Moreover, have you ever looked at a map, Stan? Algeria is far from France. Judea and Samaria ARE Israel. Really dumb comparison, Stan.

his point is that just as France returned over a million and a half of its citizens to France, Israel can and likely will remove and re-assimulate the hundred thousand or so West Bank settlers within the internationally recognized borders of modern Israel as need be in accordance with any agreement that might be reached in the current negotiations. You not only oppose this but the on-going negotiations too. Fortunately, you like the far left are a small minority. We'll just have to wait and see....