How Israel violates human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories

How Israel violates human rights  in the occupied Palestinian territories

Having roots in the Ottoman period, Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues until now to be the world's "most intractable conflict". The emergence of Israel in 1948, with the support of Hebrew lobbyists groups in the US Congress, transformed the Palestinians in a “tolerated" population. Examining the initial map Palestinian territories, we can see that over the time they began to contract as a result of military actions and systematic colonization organized by Israel. Thousands of Palestinians came to be expelled from their own territories or were forced into exile after a true policy of ethnic cleansing pursued by Israel. The terrorist attacks of Hamas or Islamic Jihad intensified Israeli military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories. Hamas is one of the main culprits of the failure of the peace process in Palestine. Hamas leaders have come to defend against attacks on Israel, using Palestinian civilians as a human shield. Much of the Arab states did not recognize the right to exist for the Israeli state and continued to promote an aggressive policy towards Israel, secretly arming the Palestinian terrorist organizations. But Israel has taken some security measures which caused outrage among human rights organizations. Israeli security wall that began to be built in since 2003 in the West Bank, Palestinians managed to turn the life Palestinians managed into a nightmare, forcing them to live just like in a true ghetto. Although Israeli and American politicians continue to promote in their speeches  the creation of an independent Palestinian state, the Israeli army is continuing to bomb Palestinian territories, destroying civilian infrastructure (power stations, water pipes, schools, hospitals and other civilian targets) and leaving thousands of casualties among Palestinian civilians.

Zionism and the beginning of Arab-Israeli conflict

Emerged in the nineteenth century among the Jewish bourgeoisie as religious and political movement, Zionism advocated the establishment of a Hebrew state in Palestine. Israeli-Palestinian conflict began in 1920, with ethnic violence within Palestine under the British administration. Israeli-Palestinian conflict began in 1920, with ethnic violence within Palestine, under the of British administration. Violence was gradually transformed into a general conflict with the Arab-Israeli war(1947-1949). Anti-Semitism in Europe hastened the emergence of an independent Jewish state in 1948.

At the core of Zionist thinking is the argument that the Palestinians have never been a people. In the novel to Theodor Herzl, Altneuland (1902), Palestinians are described as some Arabs living in miserable villages and looking like bandits. Herzl's novel will become one of the basic texts of Zionist thought. Palestinian barbarism contrasts.in the Zionist texts, the nobility of European Jews who claim the right to possess the Promised Land, having in the same time a civilizing mission.

The existence of an ancient Hebrew state on this land has no solid archaeological evidence, based largely on the claims of the Bible. Zeev Herzog, professor of archeology at Tel Aviv University, created a media storm in 1999 when he said that he found no archaeological evidence showing that Promised Land of the Bible was actually a Jewish State. A book that has created a great controversy in Israel was that of Shlomo Sand, professor of history at the University of Tel Aviv, entitled When and How Was the Jewish People invented?. In his book, Sand asserts that Jews and Christians in Palestine were converted to Islam with the Arab conquest. In this way, the author denies Israel's official history, which states that Jews of today are descendants of the Hebrew community identified in Palestine 2000 years ago. In Sand's acception, to be Jewish Is not about ethnic origins, but about religion.

International recognition in 1949,apart Arab states, of a new Hebrew state, led to the transformation of the Palestinians into" tolerated population ." Nearly 700,000 Palestinians took the way of exile or were expelled along with the proclamation of Israel.

Why the United States supports Israel in the Palestinian issue?

Internationally, the United States permanently expressed support for Israeli policies in Palestine , by giving financial and diplomatic aid to Tel Aviv government. In many occasions, the United States blocked the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution, condemning Israeli military actions in Gaza and the other occupied Palestinian territories. In many occasions, the United States blocked the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution, condemning Israeli military actions in Gaza and the other occupied Palestinian territories. Jewish Americans represent about 1.7% -2.4% of the U.S. population (5-8 million Jews). American politicians of Jewish origin exert a major influence in Congress since the late nineteenth century. Jewish lobby group has managed often to impose the vision of both US domestic and foreign policy.

Many Jews began to occupy leadership positions in the labor movements of the early twentieth century, contributing to the establishment of trade unions and were an active factor in the implementation of  left policies of the Democratic Party since 1936. New Deal policy of the 30's and civil rights movements of the middle 60s have received broad support among Jewish community in the USA.

In international politics, with the founding of Israel in 1948 and its recognition by the USA, Middle East became an area of ​​interest to American foreign policy. In the context of the US-Soviet Cold War, Israel was the main pillar of American foreign policy implementation in the region. After the collapse of the USSR, Israel has continued to be the centerpiece of American strategy in the Middle East.

Many analysts of US-Israel relationship, as Michael Barnett from George Washington University, believes that the United States support for Israel came originally  more from strategic  calculations  than other reasons. Barnett completes its assessment, saying that after the 1967 Six Day War, the American-Israeli diplomatic relationship was stormy. Taking into account that the USSR enjoyed great influence among the Arab states, Israel was the US perfect tool to restore the balance of power in the region. Hebrew state became the most important member of the anti-Soviet bloc in the region. American support for the government in Tel Aviv, was not only diplomatic but also military one. United States helped Israel to endow itself with the most important weapons, allowing him access to the most important research studies in the American defense industry. Currently, the Israeli  army is considered one of the strongest armies in the world when it comes to military technology developed.

USA were interested in maintaining regional stability in the Middle East and be able to keep under control the world price of oil. Even if the United States assumed the role of mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, promising to take into account the requirements of both sides, everything was limited to the signing of peace agreements without substance, because Israel was not forced in any way to give up Jewish colonies established in the Palestinian territories. The Oslo Accords signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1993 came not to be respected. Regarding the discriminatory policy pursued by Israel in occupied Palestinian territories, American politicians have been reluctant to openly criticize Tel Aviv. So did the president Obama, who limited himself to criticize shyly the establishment of new Jewish colonies in the West Bank, where government of the Palestinian Authority. exercises de facto authority .

According to surveys, Israel also enjoys great popularity among Americans voters, who since the 80s have shown a greater sympathy for Jews than for Palestinians. This wave of sympathy from the Americans could not be ignored by American politicians. The trend was accentuated after the 2001 terrorist attacks, in which Arab terrorists were involved. Americans appreciate that between the USA and Israel are common values.

Regarding Jewish lobbyists , the most influential group in the US Congress is  Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Taking into account the appreciation of the renowned specialists in international relations,, John Mearsheimer şi Stephen Walt,in their book entitled The Israel Lobby and American Foreign Policy,AIPAC and its allies have come to push the United States to act even against its strategic interests when it comes to supporting Israel.

Life in "Palestinian ghetto"

Image: part of "Israeli security wall" built in the West Bank

With the proclamation of Israel, the Palestinians have come to live in areas that have been increasingly restricted over the years , due to the establishment of new Jewish colonies. Due to limited living space, Palestinian settlements gradually came to acquire the appearance of huge ghettos. On August 30, 2003, along the boundaries of the West Bank under de facto control of Palestinian Authority control ,Israel began to build a security wall in response to the wave of Palestinian terrorist attacks organized in Israel , also known by the name of" Second Intifada ".The Palestinian media named  this barrier, the "apartheid wall." The wall consists of electrical and alarm systems.

Palestinian observers report that it has restricted the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially for those who have jobs inside Israel. Also have been reported a series of abuses committed by Israeli soldiers at checkpoints in the West Bank. Israel gives response to those who make these accusations to Israeli soldiers, saying that their behavior is constantly kept under observation and any deviation from the rules of conduct are sanctioned accordingly. The big drawback is that these observers fail to always be present at all checkpoints.

Despite the fact that the wall built in the West Bank was declared illegal by the Hague international court of justice, by decision of July 2004, Israel has refused to demolish the wall , arguing that this is a defense against marauding Palestinian gangs.

Another controversial measure taken by Israel is the cancellation of the right of residence in the occupied territories to Palestinians who hold a foreign passport. Palestinians believe that such a measure does nothing else than to isolate more the Palestinian community.

Israel is accused by the Palestinian Authority for the fact that during its military actions in Gaza Strip, Israeli army bombed the civilian infrastructure (water mains, power plants) making daily life of Palestinians a living hell. Under the pretext of mistakes committed by the Israeli army (the so-called collateral damage) came to be bombed schools and hospitals.

As a result of the construction of "the wall in the West Bank", the movement of goods and people has become a logistical nightmare with great cost of delay. Israeli security wall has 75 permanent checkpoints  and an additional 150 mobile checkpoints. In more than 400 places, the roads of the West Bank are blocked by obstacles. In such checkpoints foods degrade until they are brought to market, patients die because of delays caused by congestion at checkpoint, Palestinian children do not make it to school on time and people lose their jobs. In addition, not many Palestinians  get to enjoy crossing permits.

As stated by the World Bank, all of these restrictions on the free movement of goods and people is the leading cause of suffocation of the Palestinian economy and, consequently, low living standards.

As stated in a UN report, a quarter million Palestinians came to be isolated both from the West Bank and inside Israel in their own ghettos.

Palestinian issue from the Israeli perspective

Israeli State is not the only culprit of the current situation in Palestine. Arab aggression and manipulation of public opinion by the Palestinian Arab terrorist organizations have contributed to the widening of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel has repeatedly stated its willingness to negotiate with Palestinian leaders to form an independent Palestinian state, but the terrorist attacks coming from the Palestinian territories have blocked any action. Relations with the surrounding Arab states continue to be frozen, for the fact that the existence of Israel is still not internationally recognized by them. Immediately after the emergence of Israel as a state, a military alliance of Arab states launched a war of annihilation against him. From Arab camp, only Egypt and Jordan have agreed to officially recognize the existence of Israel. Arab Coalition was also guilty of triggering the Six Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1972). Some Arab states, such as Iran were actively involved in financing and training terrorist movements that work in Israel (Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah).

The political situation in the Palestinian territories was further complicated after Hamas victory in the 2006 presidential elections and Fatah (Palestinian political group organized by Yasser Arafat) has become the target of attacks by Hamas in the attempt to seize full power in Palestine. In the context of the Arab Spring, Hamas managed to conclude new agreements with Arab governments, extending its gun smuggling into Gaza Strip. Taking advantage  of the charities network they created , Hamas leaders turned public buildings Palestinian into potential targets for the Israeli army, which has engaged in military action to destroy the infrastructure used by Hamas brigades.

Another important issue in the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations was dismantling of Jewish settlements erected in the Palestinian territories. According to the disengagement plan signed by Israel, it was reached an agreement to demolish the Jewish colonies in Gaza, considered illegal by the international community. Still remain the Jewish colonies in the West Bank who are still expanding. Israel decided to build as of 2014, another 14,000 colonies. In the meanwhile were destroyed around 500 Palestinian homes, including the village of Khirbet Makhoul.

The formation of a coalition government between Fatah and Hamas, in order to organize new elections, had prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to state that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is faced with a decisive choice: either peace with Israel or with Hamas, a terrorist organization that seeks the destruction of Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu decided eventually to introduce economic sanctions against the Palestinians and suspended the construction of houses for Palestinians in Area C of the West Bank.

For Israel, the signing of the Oslo (1993), was a hope for the installation of a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The fact that the Palestinian violence continued after the signing of Oslo, have been a disappointment to the Israeli diplomat who thought it made ​​many concessions to the Palestinian Authority (Israel has agreed to approve 95% of the demands expressed by Palestinian leaders ).

The Second Intifada (Palestinian uprising) was the one that ended the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations aimed at finding a peaceful solution. Since then, Israel has been forced to intervene militarily in the Palestinian territories, whenever Hamas and other terrorist organizations have launched attacks on its territory.

The contribution of Arab Terrorist Organizations in the worsening of the Palestinian conflict

Failure to implement a  long term peace plan has  determined many Palestinians to support terrorist organizations: Hamas and Islamic Jihad. These organizations have come to be labeled terrorist by Israel, USA, Canada, EU, Jordan, Egypt and Japan.

Russia, Iran and China are the main countries that did not want to classify these groups as terrorists, calling them resistance movements. The wave of suicide attacks and assassinations in Israel staged by Hamas and Islamic Jihad since the mid-90s, is the main reason why these organizations came to be called terrorist. The assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a Jewish extremist and the waves of terrorist attacks of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were those that led to the failure of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

The fact that there were many casualties among Palestinian civilians is laid by Israel  to the fact that Palestinian terrorist organizations are infiltrating among Palestinian civilians.

Hamas missile attacks over Israeli territory came to be the main reason why Israel frequently launches military operations in Gaza Strip. Retaliation organized by the Israeli army, however, are completely disproportionate. When it comes to intervene against terrorist organizations, the targets can never be precisely determined . That, a Israeli missile destined initially to destroy an objective used by Hamas,can hit in the final an apartment building, leaving behind a real human drama.

Israel didn't care about the fact that his actions in the Palestinian territories leaves a serious humanitarian crisis. Such an attitude of indifference of Israel not only increase the their popularity among Palestinian of terrorist organizations ,but also makes them to be considered liberation movement by some people. The Palestinian Authority has never recognized the legitimacy of Hamas.

A perpetual ethnic conflict

Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains the world's "most intractable conflict". Has not been take into consideration whether the current land demarcation in two different states is opportune. The fact is that the existence of a single state in Palestine cannot be a viable solution. As Michael Newman stated in his work, The Case Against Israel, the first step in creating an independent Palestinian state is the withdrawal of all Jewish settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories. To achieve this it is first necessary for Israel to withdraw to the borders existing before the outbreak of the Six Day War of 1967.

A dilemma is what kind of sovereignty will have an eventual Palestinian state on its territory, because USA and Israel certainly are not willing to accept the existence of a Palestinian army to defend the borders of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Iran, through its influence  on Hamas, can instigate according to American and Jewish strategists, an Israeli-Palestinian border conflict.

Israel says it is willing to accept the existence of an independent Palestinian state, but instead continue to maintain the occupation of entire teritory of historic Palestine. The international community does nothing but to accept this fact.

The reason why Israel is trying to prevent the existence of an independent state in the West Bank is linked to the water supply. By giving up the West Bank, Israel will lose control of the mountain springs located here, which now provides much of the water requirement of Israeli population. In this scenario, Israel will be forced to buy water from the Palestinians, a situation not at all happy. An impoverished Palestinian state who lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the citizens, it is unlikely to provide an adequate water supply for Israel. n fact, Israel, as reported by the World Health Organization, currently do not provide not even the minimum water requirement for the Palestinian population, preferring to make supplies for their own population.

For Israel, the Palestinian territories continue to be the test site for the new israeli military technologies. As long as Israel is an ethnic state, the military occupation of the Palestinian territories will strengthen and ethnic cleansing policies will increase to prevent the emergence of a strong Palestinian political influence.

Bibliography

Jonathan Cook, Disappearing Palestine: Israel's experiments in human despair, Zed Books,London,2008.

James L. Gelvin, The Israel-Palestine Conflict: One Hundred Years of War, Cambridge University Press,Cambridge,2014.