Israeli Settlers 'Desecrate Christian Monastery'

[Twain]

Indeed, there is no doubt that the majority of U.N. states SAY the settlements are illegal but under international law the W.B. is designated for "close settlement" by Jews, provided that the civil and property rights of Arabs are respected.

Except for the fact that the Israelis don't respect the civil and property rights of the Palestinians. They are gradually developing their own version of apartheid.

Don't misread this as my supporting the Palestinians either. IMO both sides are batshit crazy. They keep repeating the same things over and over.

1. One side does something provocative and stupid
2. Missiles start to fly out of the gaza strip
3. Israel retaliates with airstrikes and maybe bulldozing a few houses.
4. Eventually a cease fire is declared
5. start over at step one

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.


I am not sure the leaders of either side really want peace. As long as things stay as they are the leaders of Hamas get to stay in power and skim off money from aid packages. The Israeli leaders get to stay in power by pointing at the threat Hamas represents. I think the status quo suits them fine.

 

[Icecreamcart]

Indeed, there is no doubt that the majority of U.N. states SAY the settlements are illegal but under international law the W.B. is designated for "close settlement" by Jews, provided that the civil and property rights of Arabs are respected.

I don't see how restricting Palestinians on their own land fits the definition of "respecting the civil and property rights of Arabs."

If you answer for the sake of security for the Israeli settlers, this begs the question, is purposely expanding israeli settlements in the name of security making any future peace settlement impossible? You can't deny that there are those in Israel who favor the one state solution.

The one state solution would work in theory if not for ethnic-religious nationalism as a defining feature of the State of Israel.