We have a poster on the SFI Facebook page – a Danish “psychodramatic therapist”, of all things – who fancies himself something of an expert on international law. He’s repeating the false trope that Israel’s policies in the West Bank and other areas amount to a violation of international law. Many Israel-haters regurgitate this position without knowing what they’re talking about. So we thought it might be a good idea to give you something to throw back at them.
First rule: NEVER allow Israel’s detractors to set the parameters of the discussion by claiming that Israel is engaged in an illegal “occupation.” Occupation is used as a political term by Israel’s detractors, but it has a very specific legal definition. Here are some sources from real experts that will help you demolish this narrative (it’s worth noting that the late Prof. Julius Stone, whose article appears below, was considered the world’s preeminent scholar on international law – if you only read one of these, make it that one):
Eugene V. Rostow: “Resolved: Are the Settlements Legal?” New Republic, October, 1991
Julius Stone: “Israel and Palestine – Assault on the Law of Nations”
Excerpts edited by Ian Lacey, 2003
David Phillips: “The Illegal-Settlement Myth,” December 2009
Alan Baker: “The Settlements Issue: Distorting the Geneva Convention and the Oslo Accords,” January, 2011:
What do you think?
11:36 pm
“Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities … but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohamedism is a militant and proselytizing faith.” Sir Winston Churchill, 1899.
“No stronger retrograde force exists in the world.” Who could state the problem better than Winston; and who better than he to be our example of standing firm against evil when and where we find it?!
Shalom!
8:12 pm
Israel needs to tell the truth in a propaganda like form, the same way the so called Palestinians do, it’s the only way to make the rest of the world listen!
5:37 pm
Fact: There is no place in the so-called West Bank nor within Gaza that Jews have inhabited for several centuries before the birth of Muhammed, Islam, and the word “Palestine” ever existed!
4:54 pm
Even if that were true, there is a major flaw in your thinking: under international law- and for centuries before there was such a thing- if a country or people commit acts of war on another country or people, the ones attacked have every right to counter-attack, take and hold land occupied by the attackers. So, in effect, Israel would be within her rights to take over, occupy and hold the entire mid-east. I personally believe that would be a very moderate solution to the current situation. Salaam, Joe.
5:00 pm
I think this is to be expected, and will go on till all Israel’s political allies have been depressed into silence, and turn their faces away.Our leaders in the west have lost the plot for us,
4:57 pm
First off Israel is Gods country. The Israelis are His people. I am not worried for Israel because in the end they will be victorious over the evil that comes against them. This IS Their Land and NO ONE has the right to say that it isn’t. Go with God Israel. You are blessed.