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Fundamental Facts Underlying the Peace Process

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Alan Baker - There is no such thing as the "Palestinian territories." The area of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) is not foreign, and has, from time immemorial, since at least 1500 BCE, been part of the indigenous Jewish presence in the area, which has been internationally acknowledged historically and recognized in international documents. Israel and the Jewish People have very well-based and long-standing inalienable, indigenous, historic, legal, and international rights in the area including in the West Bank. These rights are being denied and overlooked by the international community. The allegation that Israel's settlements are "illegitimate" is a misreading of international law. The prohibition of forced transfer of population into "occupied territory" in the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention was intended to prevent a repeat of the mass, forced population transfers carried out by the Nazis. It cannot be interpreted to apply to Israel's communities in the West Bank. Any attempt to prohibit or deny the presence of Jews in any area is anathema to all accepted civilized and humanitarian norms and should be totally and utterly rejected. The writer, former legal adviser and deputy director-general of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the negotiation and drafting of the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians.
2014-03-04 00:00:00
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