My blog on route 443 received a number of comments that raise important issues and questions. I would like to keep the discussion alive.
I agree that without a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the question of borders and territory are not clear, and highly contested on both sides. I also agree that this makes practical issues, like roads, tunnels and bridges, extremely difficult to undertake.
But, there is a distinction between Israel and the Palestinian territories: it is currently defined by the green line. In 1967, during the six day war, Israel crossed the green line and occupied Palestinian territories.
Neither party accepts the green line as the final border. And today it is even impossible to make it out on the ground. But it is currently accepted by Israelis, Palestinians and the international community, as the line that distinguishes Israel from the Palestinian territories. It is also the basis of negotiations for a two-state solution. See a discussion here by Israelis and Palestinians on the issue.
I do not think the green line will be the final borders for the two states. But, until there are clearly defined borders, this is the reference point, and each side must respect the rights of the people on the other side.
So what does this mean in practice?
For Palestinians, this means not using violence and terror against Israeli civilians. It means not taking Israeli soldiers hostage, and refusing them all contact with family members and visits from the Red Cross.
For Israeli authorities, this means not violating the rights of Palestinians living in the occupied territories, and protecting the civilian population. Taking a section of road in the occupied territories and prohibiting Palestinians from using that road undermines movement in their own territory. Building a separation barrier inside the West Bank which cuts Palestinians from their olive groves or isolates villages from main cities, undermines livelihoods. Demolishing the home of an entire family because one family member committed a terrorist act, is a form of collective punishment.
If Israelis want Palestinians to eventually have their own independent state, is it not important to accept the green line for now? And if they do not want Palestinians to have their own independent state, then what is the long-term plan?
45 days to go...
Carin you are so right, in that that does sound fair –and good and if it brought the kind of peace we are all dreaming of – sounds wonderful. You move to your side and I'll go to mine.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few problems with the Green line however. Big Problems. The green line leaves Israel essentially indefensible – hence how we got to the 1967 war in the first place. A war that not a single military expert to date has been able to account for Israel's survival.
To be indefensible is ok – as long as you have neighbors who accept your right to survival and existence. Currently the Palestinian leadership does not recognize the right for Israel to exist in any shape or form. It leaders still call for the destruction of Israel in entirety – not just Israel over the green line.
In 2005 Ariel Sharon decided to put it to the test. Without a public referendum he unilaterally removed by force every single Gush Katif community (the Jews of Gaza). As well as 2 large communities from the West bank (Shomron area). These communities were thriving communities, some of the most beautiful parks, synagogues, yeshivot, homes in the country. It was an educational and agricultural community. The technologies they had developed for hydroponic environmentally sound fruit and vegetables was of the highest caliber internationally. Their international export industry for these fruit and vegies was worth millions. These were not the settlers you showed on a previous entry with clubs. These were educated, driven and successful communities.
Israel agonized over gush Katif. Left fought right, religious fought secular – but regardless of who thought what, Gaza was left completely Jew/ Israeli free. Sharon claimed that this would be an opportunity to test the green line. If the Palestinian people wanted peace – trade could flourish, economies could boom and most important peace would be given a real chance. The Israeli people would be saying to them loud and clearly "we want peace" and the world would see it.
Within a year – Hamas an affirmed terror organization had been democratically elected to lead Gaza – a mass of weapons were collected through open routes. Gush Katif now reduced to rubble became the launching zone for thousands of rockets daily into Southern Israel.
When you have residents of sderot, strangers who you don’t know seeking refuge in your home which happens to be a few miles further north, and their families who could not leave Sderot or Ashkelon (big cities) hiding in bunkers –and over 100 ketusha and kassam rockets (not small little things) have landed in your city before noon each day. Please understand when I say.. you want and demand of your government to do something. And your dreams for our Israeli retraction to "Inside" the green line – go out the window.
I do believe that even after all this, If the Palestinian leadership acknowledged in private and public the right for Israel to exist. When they stop calling for our destruction and educating their children to kill us (even today you can easily find childrens radio stations, TV Shows and School text books that talk about destroying the Jews and praise martyrdom). When they respect our religious sites, as we do theirs and allow us safe access - When or if these things change – and they are happy to accept us as neighbours, I genuinely believe the vast majority of Israelis would feel very differently about the green line.
(I am sorry for this long essay)
Liza.
I am curious at the common use of the term "Occupied Territories" to designate the West Bank and Gaza, or the area on the other side of the Green line. Yes, Israel occupied these territories in 1967 at the conclusion of the third attempt by the Arab states to wipe them out. But before that, the West Bank had been occupied by Jordan. Before that, by the British and before that by the Turks. Can you think of a time when this was peacefully a Palestinian-run polity?
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