UN inquiry says Israel must end settlements

[jafar00]

When Obama mentioned that "Israel doesn't know what it's best interests are", he would have had this on his mind.

Israel is long overdue for a war crimes conviction. I hope this time there is some punitive action taken against them.

Investigators conclude all Israeli settlement activity in West Bank is unlawful and must cease 'immediately'.

Israeli settlements in the Occupied West Bank violate international law, and the country must "immediately" withdraw all settlers from such areas, United Nations human rights investigators have said.
"Israel must ... cease all settlement activities without preconditions [and] must immediately initiate a process of withdrawal of all settlers" from the occupied territories, a UN fact-finding mission concluded in a report released on Thursday.
The inquiry was led by French judge Christine Chanet.
The settlements contravene the 1949 Geneva Conventions forbidding the transfer of civilian populations into occupied
territory, which could amount to war crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), it said.
In December, the Palestinians accused Israel in a letter to the United Nations of planning to commit further "war crimes" by expanding Jewish settlements after the Palestinians won de facto UN recognition of statehood and warned that Jerusalem must be held accountable.
Israel has not co-operated with the probe set up by the Human Rights Council last March to examine the impact of settlements in the territory, including East Jerusalem.
Israel says the forum has an inherent bias against it and defends its settlement policy by citing historical and Biblical links to the West Bank.
The independent UN investigators interviewed more than 50 people who came to Jordan in November to testify about confiscated land, damage to their livelihoods including olive trees, and violence by Jewish settlers, according to the report.
"The mission believes that the motivation behind this violence and the intimidation against the Palestinians as well
as their properties is to drive the local populations away from their lands and allow the settlements to expand," it said.
'Creeping annexation'
About 250 settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have been established since 1967 and they hold an
estimated 520,000 settlers, according to the UN report.
The settlements impede Palestinian access to water resources and agricultural lands, it said. They were also "leading to a creeping annexation that prevents the establishment of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state and undermines the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination," it said.
Following the UN general assembly's vote to upgrade the Palestinians status at the world body, Israel said it would build 3,000 more settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem - areas Palestinians wanted for a future state, along with the Gaza Strip.
The UN human rights inquiry said that the International Criminal Court had jurisdiction over the deportation or transfer
by the occupying power of its own population into the territory.
"Ratification of the [Rome] Statute by Palestine may lead to accountability for gross violations of human rights law and
serious violations of international humanitarian law and justice for victims," the report said, referring to the treaty
setting up the Hague-based UN tribunal, which prosecutes people for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middle...=MasterAccount

[Marcus Aurelius]

The Useless Nations can say whatever the fuck they want. Doesn't make them right, or relevant.

Kinda like you, Jahil.

[aboutime]

When Obama mentioned that "Israel doesn't know what it's best interests are", he would have had this on his mind.

Israel is long overdue for a war crimes conviction. I hope this time there is some punitive action taken against them.


http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middle...=MasterAccount

Obama has no room to talk. He has no idea what anyone's best interests are...unless they agree with him, and remind him how dangerous, ignorant, and stupid he is. But then...he doesn't keep company with anyone smarter than he is. Which makes STUPIDITY, HATRED, and DUMBNESS a common Obama trait.

[Drummond]

It's a bit rich, isn't it, for Palestinians to want 'punitive' measures taken against Israel ... and for there to be any suggestion of a charge of 'war crimes' against Israel ... when those same Palestinians would be content to support TERRORISTS firing MISSILES at Israel, and insist they're correct to continue to !!!

If we're going to start talking about 'war crimes', Jafar, how about getting all the Hamas leadership to face such a charge THEMSELVES ?

.. or would you much rather just 'overlook' this, Jafar, and fail to agree that such high-minded goals demand not just actions that you'd prefer to see, but instead, ACTIONS THAT JUSTICE DEMANDS.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

When Obama mentioned that "Israel doesn't know what it's best interests are", he would have had this on his mind.

Israel is long overdue for a war crimes conviction. I hope this time there is some punitive action taken against them.


http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middle...=MasterAccount

Buck and Fan the U.N.!!--

[jafar00]

It's a bit rich, isn't it, for Palestinians to want 'punitive' measures taken against Israel ... and for there to be any suggestion of a charge of 'war crimes' against Israel ... when those same Palestinians would be content to support TERRORISTS firing MISSILES at Israel, and insist they're correct to continue to !!!

If we're going to start talking about 'war crimes', Jafar, how about getting all the Hamas leadership to face such a charge THEMSELVES ?

.. or would you much rather just 'overlook' this, Jafar, and fail to agree that such high-minded goals demand not just actions that you'd prefer to see, but instead, ACTIONS THAT JUSTICE DEMANDS.

If Hamas have committed war crimes, they should also be held accountable.

This is another example though of how Obama is right about Israel not knowing what is good for it. These illegal settlements have been a thorn in the side of peace for decades, and they have been expanding like an ever growing cancer. They are part of the reason for these rockets you seem so fond of mentioning without also mentioning Israeli artillery, tanks, helicopters, missiles, air strikes, collective punishment of occupied civilians etc.....

[bingster]

Obama has no room to talk. He has no idea what anyone's best interests are...unless they agree with him, and remind him how dangerous, ignorant, and stupid he is. But then...he doesn't keep company with anyone smarter than he is. Which makes STUPIDITY, HATRED, and DUMBNESS a common Obama trait.

Wow, of course, George W. was a rocket scientist

"Uh, er, fool me once... uh, er...."

Psychiatrists would call your accusations "projection".

If Hamas have committed war crimes, they should also be held accountable.

This is another example though of how Obama is right about Israel not knowing what is good for it. These illegal settlements have been a thorn in the side of peace for decades, and they have been expanding like an ever growing cancer. They are part of the reason for these rockets you seem so fond of mentioning without also mentioning Israeli artillery, tanks, helicopters, missiles, air strikes, collective punishment of occupied civilians etc.....

I'm sure it's also why Obama is not always seen as sympathetic enough regarding Israel. He knows Netanyahu's actions are sabotaging the peace in Israel with the settlement building. Without US outrage, or a resurgence of the Israel's Labor party, nothing is going to change.

[Drummond]

If Hamas have committed war crimes, they should also be held accountable.

This is another example though of how Obama is right about Israel not knowing what is good for it. These illegal settlements have been a thorn in the side of peace for decades, and they have been expanding like an ever growing cancer. They are part of the reason for these rockets you seem so fond of mentioning without also mentioning Israeli artillery, tanks, helicopters, missiles, air strikes, collective punishment of occupied civilians etc.....

This is laughable. Jafar, Hamas actually EXISTS to perpetrate such acts !!

On another thread, I've posted you a link that gives you a glimpse of the Hamas Charter. Their Charter commits Hamas to win out against Israel through JIHAD. They were always meant to be aggressors .. pure and simple. They don't see peace through negotiation as an available option to turn to under ANY circumstances. That includes whether OR NOT Israel gives way on settlements.

Yet, in the face of such remorseless and relentless terrorism, you, Jafar, are focused not on Hamas's disinterest in reasonable conduct, but what you want to say that ISRAEL is doing.

Your bias is transparent, Jafar ... your support for terrorist belligerence inexcusable.

[aboutime]

If Hamas have committed war crimes, they should also be held accountable.

This is another example though of how Obama is right about Israel not knowing what is good for it. These illegal settlements have been a thorn in the side of peace for decades, and they have been expanding like an ever growing cancer. They are part of the reason for these rockets you seem so fond of mentioning without also mentioning Israeli artillery, tanks, helicopters, missiles, air strikes, collective punishment of occupied civilians etc.....

jafar. Your hypocrisy, and bigotry are showing again. "IF"? Hamas did anything????? Making excuses, and pretending Hamas is so innocent..in your view?

What a true False Prophet, and Phony you are jafar.

And the comical part of your Intentionally Demonstrated Stupidity is. YOU BELIEVE IT.

[jafar00]

This is laughable. Jafar, Hamas actually EXISTS to perpetrate such acts !!

On another thread, I've posted you a link that gives you a glimpse of the Hamas Charter. Their Charter commits Hamas to win out against Israel through JIHAD. They were always meant to be aggressors .. pure and simple. They don't see peace through negotiation as an available option to turn to under ANY circumstances. That includes whether OR NOT Israel gives way on settlements.

Yet, in the face of such remorseless and relentless terrorism, you, Jafar, are focused not on Hamas's disinterest in reasonable conduct, but what you want to say that ISRAEL is doing.

Your bias is transparent, Jafar ... your support for terrorist belligerence inexcusable.

Do you think that charter would even exist if Israel would play by the rules of international law and humanity?

[Drummond]

Do you think that charter would even exist if Israel would play by the rules of international law and humanity?

OF COURSE I DO !!

Jafar, how many times do I have to ask you to READ the Hamas Charter, before you acknowledge that you HAVE ??

Though Hamas want - through people such as you ?? - to paint themselves, and 'their people', as repressed and otherwise treated shabbily by Israel, the TRUTH about Hamas is that it exists, as the thoroughly racist organisation it is, to see Israel destroyed !

Need I quote this AGAIN ??

From ...

http://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm

"Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it." (The Martyr, Imam Hassan al-Banna, of blessed memory).

"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."

Hamas is the aggressor. It wants the State of Israel destroyed. Its reason for being is to oppose that country's very existence, and it won't be satisfied until it ceases to exist entirely.

[aboutime]

Do you think that charter would even exist if Israel would play by the rules of international law and humanity?

jafar. You mean the CHARTER that declares Israel should be wiped off the map?? That Useless piece of Terrorist Toilet Paper????

[RoccoR]

jafar, et al,

I think it is fair to say that it has been known, since the first settlement in the Syrian Golan Heights (July 1967), that it was a wrong decision.

QUOTE: Para 2b(viii), Article 8 (War Crimes), Part 2 (Jurisdiction, Admissibility & Applicable Law), Rome Statues, ICC; For the purpose of this Statute, "war crimes" means:
The transfer, directly or indirectly, by the Occupying Power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies, or the deportation or transfer of all or parts of the population of the occupied territory within or outside this territory;

When Obama mentioned that "Israel doesn't know what it's best interests are", he would have had this on his mind.Israel is long overdue for a war crimes conviction. I hope this time there is some punitive action taken against them.

(COMMENT)

The Israelis have to come out of the box, and present a calm, clear, and understandable defense from a reasonable man point of view, as well as supported by legal precedence.

There is no question that Israel cannot put together a strategy under Article 51, and establish a special circumstance defense. The Israelis have to addresses, in no uncertain terms, that the causes of ICC RS violation, as well as incident patterns and trends, focus on the nature and cause of specific Palestinian criminal patterns, such as violence, terrorism, organized civil strife, and instigated public disorder on a criminal level to insight violence. It has to be presented in such a way that any reasonable man might have pursued a similar course of action in the protection of the nation and the establishment of secure territorial integrity.

The Palestinian Hostile Actions over six decades have an impact - and it has effected the national security of Israel on multiple levels. The Israel must also show a demonstrated history of association with other International Activities that have been recognized as a threat in the past and is being treated as a threat today - by its neighbors. One such association is Iran, but also, in Osama bin Laden's open letter to America, he stated that part of the al-Qaeda Agenda is to harm Israel and its allies for its establishment in the Middle East.

This requires a top flight legal team and Madison Avenue presentation. It can be done.

Israel is going to have to accept that some reparations and compensations are going to be assessed against them and awards made to the Palestinians (in all probability). There is no question that, if the "reasonable man" defense mitigates the violations (and there are several), so it is that a "reasonable man" is going to recognize (through its presentation) that Israel has made some very poor judgment calls. And that will cost them.

It is not a slam dunk for either side. Both sides have dirty hands.

Most Respectfully,
R

[aboutime]

jafar, et al,

I think it is fair to say that it has been known, since the first settlement in the Syrian Golan Heights (July 1967), that it was a wrong decision.


(COMMENT)

The Israelis have to come out of the box, and present a calm, clear, and understandable defense from a reasonable man point of view, as well as supported by legal precedence.

There is no question that Israel cannot put together a strategy under Article 51, and establish a special circumstance defense. The Israelis have to addresses, in no uncertain terms, that the causes of ICC RS violation, as well as incident patterns and trends, focus on the nature and cause of specific Palestinian criminal patterns, such as violence, terrorism, organized civil strife, and instigated public disorder on a criminal level to insight violence. It has to be presented in such a way that any reasonable man might have pursued a similar course of action in the protection of the nation and the establishment of secure territorial integrity.

The Palestinian Hostile Actions over six decades have an impact - and it has effected the national security of Israel on multiple levels. The Israel must also show a demonstrated history of association with other International Activities that have been recognized as a threat in the past and is being treated as a threat today - by its neighbors. One such association is Iran, but also, in Osama bin Laden's open letter to America, he stated that part of the al-Qaeda Agenda is to harm Israel and its allies for its establishment in the Middle East.

This requires a top flight legal team and Madison Avenue presentation. It can be done.

Israel is going to have to accept that some reparations and compensations are going to be assessed against them and awards made to the Palestinians (in all probability). There is no question that, if the "reasonable man" defense mitigates the violations (and there are several), so it is that a "reasonable man" is going to recognize (through its presentation) that Israel has made some very poor judgment calls. And that will cost them.

It is not a slam dunk for either side. Both sides have dirty hands.

Most Respectfully,
R

RoccoR. Maybe you aren't aware of how Israel attempted to do JUST WHAT YOU SAID several years ago, and Hamas...the controlling authority of Palestinians..REJECTED all Israeli offers like that.
Instead. The loaded up, or stocked up on more Iranian weapons like shoulder launched rockets....and pretended they weren't aimed toward Israel.

In other words. Hamas, and the Palestinian people want NOTHING TO DO WITH PEACE.

[RoccoR]

aboutime, et al,

Yes I am aware.

RoccoR. Maybe you aren't aware of how Israel attempted to do JUST WHAT YOU SAID several years ago, and Hamas...the controlling authority of Palestinians..REJECTED all Israeli offers like that.
Instead. The loaded up, or stocked up on more Iranian weapons like shoulder launched rockets....and pretended they weren't aimed toward Israel.

In other words. Hamas, and the Palestinian people want NOTHING TO DO WITH PEACE.

(COMMENT)

And this actually works in Israel's defense. It is part of an establish pattern.

Most Respectfully,
R