Netanyahu's Likud Party platform says the
following about Palestinian self-determination:
Unilaterally establishing a Palestinian state "will constitute a
fundamental and substantive violation of the agreements with the
State of Israel and the scuttling of the Oslo and Wye accords. The
government will adopt immediate stringent measures in the event of
such a declaration."
In fact, on November 15, 1988, the Palestinian National Council
(PNC) proclaimed an independent Palestine. At the time, Washington
provisionally recognized its independence.
According to UN Charter Article 80(1), it can't reverse its position
by vetoing a Security Council (SC) resolution calling for
Palestine's UN admission. Doing so is illegal, subject to further SC
action under the Charter's Chapter VI.
The SC only recommends admissions. The General Assembly affirms them
by a two-thirds majority. An overwhelming majority of states support
de jure Palestinian membership.
Abbas could have had it last fall by petitioning the General
Assembly through the 1950 Uniting for Peace Resolution 377. Not
doing so revealed his longtime collaborationist credentials. As a
result, the issue remains in limbo.
Likud's platform said the following about settlements:
"The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza (all Occupied
Palestine) are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the
land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish
people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in
the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel."
"The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities
and will prevent their uprooting."
Likud also rejects Green Line separation of Israel and Palestine. It
proves it by incrementally stealing Palestinian land declared all
Jerusalem sovereign Israeli territory.
Since 1967, Israel established 121 settlements. The Interior
Ministry calls "communities." Another 100 unauthorized outposts
exist.
In addition, Israel considers 12 annexed Jerusalem neighborhoods as
settlements. Moreover, settler enclaves exist in Palestinian East
Jerusalem.
Overall, Israeli occupied territory, including settlements, exceeds
40% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Their choicest parts are
colonized. Systematic land theft increases them.
Yet international law is explicit. Fourth Geneva's Article 49
states, "The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of
its own civilian population into the territory it occupies."
Moreover, in July 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
ruled:
"Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem, are illegal and an obstacle to peace and
to economic and social development." In addition, they've "been
established in breach of international law" on sovereign Palestinian
territory.
Five rounds of Amman, Jordan Israeli/Palestinian talks ended January
25 in failure. Further meetings aren't scheduled. At issue is
Netanyahu's unreasonable demands. In return, he offered nothing.
Home demolitions, land theft, dispossessions, and settlement
construction continue.
It gets worse. Israel wants Green Line partitioning ended. Replacing
it would be by Separation Wall annexation of 12% of Palestine when
completed. Israel also wants Jordan Valley territory declared a
strategic security asset. It represents one-fourth of West Bank
land.
On January 28, AP said two Palestinian officials confirmed it "based
on their interpretation of principles Israel presented in talks this
week."
Moreover, Israel wants East Jerusalem and settlements made part of
Israel. Palestinians want sovereign Palestine to include all
occupied territories to their 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem
as their capital. Nothing less is acceptable.
On January 27, New York Times writer Ethan Bronner headlined,
"Israelis Say Settlements Must be Part of Israeli State," saying:
Israel's "approach" wants "settlement blocks to become part of
Israel...." In fact, it's a demand, not an "approach." Bronner's
framing is unsurprising. In March 2008, he joined Lone Star
Communications' speakers bureau. It's one of Israel's leading PR
firms. It arranges speaking dates for Bronner and suggests issues to
discuss.
Times editors see no conflict of interest or for other writers
compromising their journalistic integrity. An earlier controversy
involved Bronner's son serving in Israel's military. Former Times
executive editor Bill Keller backed him. Times assistant managing
editor Susan Chira called his coverage "scrupulously fair...."
Others disagree based on studies showing pro-Israeli Times bias.
It's how all its correspondents, op-ed and editorial writers do
their jobs on all world and national issues. "Scrupulously fair"
isn't in their vocabularies.
They also spurn Palestinians wanting self-determination and freedom,
as well as millions of loyal supporters. None get Times or other
major media print space.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at
lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to
cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the
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