Israel - Palestine Conflict Discussion Thread

[EXCXSXE 0]

It's not vague at all.

 

 

 

The Israeli authorities have committed human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law in their responses to these attacks, including by carrying out punitive home demolitions against the families of those involved in the attacks.

“Punishing the families of suspects by destroying their homes is collective punishment and is prohibited by international law. Tensions across the West Bank have been at fever pitch following the conflict in Gaza this summer. Authorities must not trample over the rights of Palestinians through collective punishments and other heavy-handed measures in order to restore security,†said Philip Luther.

There has also been a spate of unlawful killings of Palestinians during demonstrations by police when their lives were not in danger, while Israeli settlers have carried out attacks on Palestinians harvesting their olives.

“The Israeli security forces have an obligation to protect the whole civilian population regardless of whether they are Palestinian or Israeli. Instead of stepping up their heavy-handed tactics, the Israeli authorities must ensure that anyone who attacks civilians on either side is held to account. Failing to do so is only likely to embolden attackers and worsen the cycle of bloodshed,†said Philip Luther.

 

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/israelopt-killing-worshippers-synagogue-abhorrent-attack-2014-11-18

 

 

Order to demolish homes of Palestinians who perpetrated attacks unlawful and immoral

 

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has ordered the demolition or sealing of the homes of the families of the Palestinians who carried out recent attacks against Israelis. This action constitutes harming the innocent. It is collective punishment that is both unlawful and immoral.

 

Since the occupation began in 1967, Israeli security forces have demolished hundreds of homes to punish relatives of Palestinians who harmed or allegedly harmed Israelis. This policy rendered homeless thousands of people who were not themselves accused of any wrongdoing.

About ten years ago, a military committee headed by Major General Udi Shani found punitive home demolitions to be a measure of questionable effectiveness in deterring attacks against Israelis. It found that there are even indications that demolitions sometimes achieve the opposite effect and stated that the measure is just on the “verge of legalityâ€. Shaul Mofaz, Defense Minister at the time, ordered that the committee’s recommendations be accepted. Since 2005, the security establishment has rarely used this measure.

The habitual call for punitive demolition in response to attacks against Israelis ignores the committee’s findings and is apparently made primarily to achieve media interest and political gain.

A policy of punitive home demolition is fundamentally wrong, irrespective of effectiveness. It contravenes basic moral standards by punishing people for the misdeeds of others. B’Tselem calls upon the authorities not to demolish these homes.

 

http://www.btselem.org/press_releases/20041116_planned_punitive_demolitions

 

 

The Israeli government has adopted an official policy of harming the innocent

 

The intention to demolish the family home of the two Palestinians charged with the killing of Baruch Mizrahi means adopting an official policy of harming the innocent, stated Israeli human rights NGO B'Tselem. The two suspects will be tried for the attack, and are expected to be sentenced to long periods of detention. Their family members, who are not suspected of any offence, are the ones who will suffer the loss of their home: 13 people are currently living in the house, including 8 children.

Years ago, the army concluded that punitive home demolitions are not an effective measure to deter attacks against Israelis, and there are even indications that they achieve the opposite effect. It seems therefore that the motives are reaping revenge and politically capitalizing on the current public mood in Israel, in light of the abduction. This draconian measure was not utilized for almost ten years, except for one case in 2009:

 

Background on the Demolition of Houses as Punishment

On 17 February 2005, the minister of defense announced that the procedure would no longer be used. In the period between October 2001 (when Israel began once again to demolish homes as a means of punishment in the Occupied Territories, after four years in which it had not used this measure) and the end of January 2005, Israel demolished 664 houses as punishment.

 

http://www.btselem.org/press_releases/20140623_renewal_of_punitive_house_demolitions

 

 

The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the occupying state from destroying the property of civilians in occupied territory, “except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.†Israeli officials have argued that its policy falls within this exception. However, this contention is baseless. Israel’s interpretation of “military operations†contradicts the official commentary of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which defines “military operation†as “the movement, maneuvers, and actions of any sort, carried out by the armed forces with a view to combat.†Punitive demolitions are not conducted in the framework of “movements†or “maneuvers†of IDF forces, and are not carried out in the context of hostilities. The action cannot, therefore, be deemed a “military operation†within the meaning of the term in the Geneva Convention.

In some cases at least, Israel argues that the demolitions are lawful in that they are carried out pursuant to Section 119 of the Emergency Defense Regulations, which were enacted during the British Mandate. Section 119 is a draconian provision that allows a house to be demolished based on suspicion that certain offenses have been committed. The house does not have to belong to the suspects themselves, but can be the home of their family, neighbors, and other residents in the community. The applicability of Section 119 is questionable: it was revoked by the British before the Mandate ended. However, even if the British did not revoke it, Section 119 should be nullified because it violates international humanitarian law. Relying on Section 119, the High Court of Justice rejected these arguments and adopted, time after time, the state’s contention that the punitive house demolitions are lawful.

 

This is what I was looking for! Thank you. 

[lego 44,165]

This is what I was looking for! Thank you. 

 

No problem:)

[Melech 9,900]

Israel is the only democratic state facing Islamic world directly. Don't let anyone fool you with false comparsion.

Israel is not the only country bordering Gaza as Egypt sits on its southren borders. If someone wish to enter Gaza he could just pass through Egypt. Israel has every right to decide who is to enter Israel.

"Hamas called for abandoning suicide bombings in 2006"... Gurl, the fact is that Palestinans are killing Israeli civilians in terror attacks for decades now and you seem to ignore that part.

Whether its the PLO, Hamas or even individuals, it's still their own culture that educated them to believe they're going to heaven to get 72 virgins if they'll kill people.

:applause:

[Shadow 6,697]

After considering about this thread, I think it has run its course. This is a major issue with no easy answers or quick resolutions. Although there were high points that spurred good debates, hopefully gave folks who knew little about this issue more background and perspective on both sides and third party insight. However, it has become a hot bed for too much strife and rage. Though we believe in people expressing their views within reason and the forum rules, so this debate will continue on an issue by issue basis as they occur and as users report them.

Thank you for your time and good day.