"Gaza Island"

Pooky · June 21, 2011

In late May, the secretary general expressed his opposition to flotilla operations intended to challenge the Israeli blockade, saying that assistance and goods bound for Gaza should go through legitimate crossings.

Ban has called on governments to use their influence to discourage flotillas, saying that they carry the potential to exacerbate rather than ameliorate the conflict.

:thumbs:

I AM NOT THAT GUY · June 21, 2011

Pooky · June 21, 2011

Don't do that, you'll get sand in your ears :rofl:

ready4ONE · June 21, 2011

"The existence of Israel has continued too long. We welcome the Israeli aggression. We welcome the battle we have long awaited. The peak hour has come. The battle has come in which we shall destroy Israel." - Cairo Radio

Date: May 16, 1967

PalestineMyHeart · June 21, 2011

Israel earned legitimacy when the UN gave the nation existence.

This gets repeated a lot. But actually, the UN didn’t “give existence” to Israel.

On Nov. 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly voted to recommend a partition of Palestine (UN 181) but it was never implemented. It requested the Security Council take up the matter. On April 1, 1948, the UNSC recommended that the partition plan be put on hold and that there be a cessation of hostilities.

By this time of course, the “hostilities” were already spiraling out of control. In the months since the General Assembly vote, Zionist militias had been systematically attacking areas outside the territory proposed for the Jewish state, conducting massacres, driving out inhabitants, and seizing entire villages. The Arab states had repeatedly asked the UN for an international response to protect Palestinian civilians and their property.

So in short, the UN Security Council concluded that this idea was not workable (at least at the present time) and that everyone just needed to chill.

However, the British Mandate was set to expire on May 14, 1948, and the Zionists saw this as their opportunity. They declared their State of Israel unilaterally on that date (although the announcement did cite the still-born UN 181 as “recognition” of their “right” to do so, and proclaimed the new state’s borders as described in the partition plan.)

War, as predicted, was the result.

Where was the UN resolution supporting the Arab invasion in 1948?

More to the point: there were no UN resolutions against the Arab response to the Zionists attacks of 1948 -- because the Arab states were within their rights to protect Palestinians in the areas designated for the Arab state.

However, there are scads of UN resolutions against Israel’s attacks and occupation of Palestinian and other Arab lands.

Where was the justification for the Arab military build-up that triggered the Israeli attack that started the Six-Day War?

Gee, do you think maybe after what happened in 1948 that the Arab states were a little nervous that Israel might try to attack and seize their land, too? And Israel had already tried to swipe Gaza a decade earlier in a clearly aggressive war (Eisenhower threatened to withhold aid until Israel knocked it off.) With neighbors like Israel, I’d want to beef up my borders too.

Nations always move their troops close to the border when there is a threat of conflict. Israel also had their troops on active alert, called up reserves and had their air force flying most of the time. How is that any less of a provocation?

There was a cease-fire and Israel violated it first.

Where was the UN resolution supporting the Arab assault that began the Yom Kippur War in 1973?

See above re: UN resolutions.

All I see from WoM, Soffiya and others lining up against Israel is one-sided, intolerant denial. At least Ready and The Dude look at both sides of the coin. Is it any surprise that Israel finds the path to compromise difficult, when its friends can also see its failings, but its opponents can see nothing but?

Is it any surprise that you would perceive those with points of view similar to your own to be more reasonable, tolerant and fair than those with points of view with which you don't agree ?

PalestineMyHeart · June 21, 2011

Oops... skipped one.

I hope you do see the difference between the two sets of circumstances you just described.

Actually, I see a huge difference.

On one hand, you have small groups of poorly-equipped militants launching what are essentially crudely produced home-made rockets which lack even a simple guidance system -- most of which have fallen on unpopulated areas of the desert, killing a total of 28 Israelis since they were first launched 10 years ago.

On the other, you have a regional superpower with one of the world’s most powerful, best-equipped armies conducting a large-scale assault using a full array of high-tech weapons (including heavy artillery, tanks and combat fighter jets) against densely populated areas packed with civilians (which it actively prevents from fleeing the war zone !) -- even using weapons such as flechette shells and white phosphorus that international law prohibits from use on civilian populations -- and ending up slaughtering more than 1400 people, nearly a quarter of which are children.

I see a huge difference there.

What is Israel expected to do, just sit there and clean up the carnage as a result from Hamas launched rockets?

Israel has been conducting an extremely brutal belligerent occupation which has been designated as illegal by the U.N. and nearly every government in the world including the U.S., and which it has been told on repeated occasions over the last 43 years to end immediately.

Under international law, an occupied people have the right to resist their occupation by any means necessary. So its quite unreasonable for Israel to b!tch about armed resistance while it continues to conduct its own violent and illegal occupation.

What was their excuse before Hamas? Substitute the same criticisms that have been levied upon Hamas, then just transpose them over to the PLO. Seems to be a credibility issue......

The squawks about Hamas are just another stalling technique - Israel's own military and intelligence experts have repeatedly advised the Israeli government to "talk to Hamas."

But frankly, the Israeli government does not want to negotiate with any Palestinian government no matter who they are - because it‘s not done stealing Palestinian land yet. Successive Israeli governments have followed the same pattern for decades - demand a laundry list of pre-conditions before proceeding on any peace agreement. Then, after Palestinians jump through all the hoops, Israel simply comes up with a new list of demands/excuses as pre-conditions. Meanwhile, it continues grabbing more and more Palestinian land through its settlements, Annexation Wall and other illegal means.

So basically, as far as the Israeli government is concerned, no Palestinian government will ever be “suitable” enough to negotiate with until there’s no Palestine left to negotiate over.

PalestineMyHeart · June 21, 2011

"The existence of Israel has continued too long. We welcome the Israeli aggression. We welcome the battle we have long awaited. The peak hour has come. The battle has come in which we shall destroy Israel." - Cairo Radio

Date: May 16, 1967

I gotta step out now but you're next

mawilson · June 21, 2011

This gets repeated a lot. But actually, the UN didn’t “give existence” to Israel.

Yet, Israel was accepted as a member of the United Nations by majority vote on May 11, 1949.

Golden Gate · June 21, 2011

With these conditions:

Israel was accepted into the United Nations on condition that it accept the Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees. Admission of Israel to membership in the United Nations (General Assembly Resolution 273 of May 11, 1949 ) requires Israel to comply with General Assembly Resolution 194 of December 11, 1948 and Israel stated it agreed to comply with this resolution.

text of General Assembly Resolution 273 of May 11, 1949 admitting Israel into the United Nations, and noting Israel's stated agreement to comply with Resolution 194 :

UNITED NATIONS General Assembly

A/RES/273 (III)

11 May 1949

------------------------------------------------------------------------

273 (III). Admission of Israel to membership in the United Nations

Having received the report of the Security Council on the application of Israel for membership in the United Nations,1/

Noting that, in the judgment of the Security Council, Israel is a peace-loving State and is able and willing to carry out the obligations contained in the Charter,

Noting that the Security Council has recommended to the General Assembly that it admit Israel to membership in the United Nations,

Noting furthermore the declaration by the State of Israel that it "unreservedly accepts the obligations of the United Nations Charter and undertakes to honour them from the day when it becomes a Member of the United Nations",2/

Recalling its resolutions of 29 November 1947 3/ and 11 December 1948 4/ and taking note of the declarations and explanations made by the representative of the Government of Israel 5/ before the ad hoc Political Committee in respect of the implementation of the said resolutions,

The General Assembly,

Acting in discharge of its functions under Article 4 of the Charter and rule 125 of its rules of procedure,

1. Decides that Israel is a peace-loving State which accepts the obligations contained in the Charter and is able and willing to carry out those obligations;

2. Decides to admit Israel to membership in the United Nations.

___________________

1/ See document A/818.

2/ See document S/1093.

3/ See Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly during its second session, pages 131-132.

4/ See Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly during Part I of its third session, pages 21-25.

5/ See documents A/AC.24/SR.45-48, 50 and 51.

text of General Assembly Resolution 194 of December 11, 1948 :UNITED NATIONS General Assembly

A/RES/194 (III)

11 December 1948

------------------------------------------------------------------------

194 (III). Palestine -- Progress Report of the

United Nations Mediator

The General Assembly,

Having considered further the situation in Palestine,

1. Expresses its deep appreciation of the progress achieved through the good offices of the late United Nations Mediator in promoting a peaceful adjustment of the future situation of Palestine, for which cause he sacrificed his life; and

Extends its thanks to the Acting Mediator and his staff for their continued efforts and devotion to duty in Palestine;

2. Establishes a Conciliation Commission consisting of three States members of the United Nations which shall have the following functions:

(a) To assume, in so far as it considers necessary in existing circumstances, the functions given to the United Nations Mediator on Palestine by resolution 186 (S-2) of the General Assembly of 14 May 1948;

(b) To carry out the specific functions and directives given to it by the present resolution and such additional functions and directives as may be given to it by the General Assembly or by the Security Council;

© To undertake, upon the request of the Security Council, any of the functions now assigned to the United Nations Mediator on Palestine or to the United Nations Truce Commission by resolutions of the Security Council; upon such request to the Conciliation Commission by the Security Council with respect to all the remaining functions of the United Nations Mediator on Palestine under Security Council resolutions, the office of the Mediator shall be terminated;

3. Decides that a Committee of the Assembly, consisting of China, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, shall present, before the end of the first part of the present session of the General Assembly, for the approval of the Assembly, a proposal concerning the names of the three States which will constitute the Conciliation Commission;

4. Requests the Commission to begin its functions at once, with a view to the establishment of contact between the parties themselves and the Commission at the earliest possible date;

5. Calls upon the Governments and authorities concerned to extend the scope of the negotiations provided for in the Security Council's resolution of 16 November 1948 1/ and to seek agreement by negotiations conducted either with the Conciliation Commission or directly, with a view to the final settlement of all questions outstanding between them;

6. Instructs the Conciliation Commission to take steps to assist the Governments and authorities concerned to achieve a final settlement of all questions outstanding between them;

7. Resolves that the Holy Places - including Nazareth - religious buildings and sites in Palestine should be protected and free access to them assured, in accordance with existing rights and historical practice; that arrangements to this end should be under effective United Nations supervision; that the United Nations Conciliation Commission, in presenting to the fourth regular session of the General Assembly its detailed proposals for a permanent international regime for the territory of Jerusalem, should include recommendations concerning the Holy Places in that territory; that with regard to the Holy Places in the rest of Palestine the Commission should call upon the political authorities of the areas concerned to give appropriate formal guarantees as to the protection of the Holy Places and access to them; and that these undertakings should be presented to the General Assembly for approval;

8. Resolves that, in view of its association with three world religions, the Jerusalem area, including the present municipality of Jerusalem plus the surrounding villages and towns, the most eastern of which shall be Abu Dis; the most southern, Bethlehem; the most western, Ein Karim (including also the built-up area of Motsa); and the most northern, Shu'fat, should be accorded special and separate treatment from the rest of Palestine and should be placed under effective United Nations control;

Requests the Security Council to take further steps to ensure the demilitarization of Jerusalem at the earliest possible date;

Instructs the Conciliation Commission to present to the fourth regular session of the General Assembly detailed proposals for a permanent international regime for the Jerusalem area which will provide for the maximum local autonomy for distinctive groups consistent with the special international status of the Jerusalem area;

The Conciliation Commission is authorized to appoint a United Nations representative, who shall co-operate with the local authorities with respect to the interim administration of the Jerusalem area;

9. Resolves that, pending agreement on more detailed arrangements among the Governments and authorities concerned, the freest possible access to Jerusalem by road, rail or air should be accorded to all inhabitants of Palestine;

Instructs the Conciliation Commission to report immediately to the Security Council, for appropriate action by that organ, any attempt by any party to impede such access;

10. Instructs the Conciliation Commission to seek arrangements among the Governments and authorities concerned which will facilitate the economic development of the area, including arrangements for access to ports and airfields and the use of transportation and communication facilities;

11. Resolves that the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles of international law or in equity, should be made good by the Governments or authorities responsible;

Instructs the Conciliation Commission to facilitate the repatriation, resettlement and economic and social rehabilitation of the refugees and the payment of compensation, and to maintain close relations with the Director of the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees and, through him, with the appropriate organs and agencies of the United Nations;

12. Authorizes the Conciliation Commission to appoint such subsidiary bodies and to employ such technical experts, acting under its authority, as it may find necessary for the effective discharge of its functions and responsibilities under the present resolution;

The Conciliation Commission will have its official headquarters at Jerusalem. The authorities responsible for maintaining order in Jerusalem will be responsible for taking all measures necessary to ensure the security of the Commission. The Secretary-General will provide a limited number of guards to the protection of the staff and premises of the Commission;

13. Instructs the Conciliation Commission to render progress reports periodically to the Secretary-General for transmission to the Security Council and to the Members of the United Nations;

14. Calls upon all Governments and authorities concerned to co-operate with the Conciliation Commission and to take all possible steps to assist in the implementation of the present resolution;

15. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the necessary staff and facilities and to make appropriate arrangements to provide the necessary funds required in carrying out the terms of the present resolution.

* * *

At the 186th plenary meeting on 11 December 1948, a committee of the Assembly consisting of the five States designated in paragraph 3 of the above resolution proposed that the following three States should constitute the Conciliation Commission:

France, Turkey, United States of America.

The proposal of the Committee having been adopted by the General Assembly at the same meeting, the Conciliation Commission is therefore composed of the above-mentioned three States.

___________________

1/ See Official Records of the Security Council, Third Year, No. 126.

Footnote 61 from Understanding Power: For the December 1948 U.N. recommendation on refugees and the resolution admitting Israel into the U.N. upon its agreement to accept that recommendation, see General Assembly Resolution 194 (III) of December 11, 1948 (on the right of return of Palestinian refugees), and General Assembly Resolution 273 (III) of May 11, 1949 (admitting Israel into the United Nations, and noting Israel's stated agreement to comply with Resolution 194 (III)), both in John Norton Moore, ed., The Arab-Israeli Conflict, Vol. III, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1974, pp. 373-376, 418-419. See also, Simha Flapan, The Birth of Israel: Myths and Realities, New York: Pantheon, 1987, pp. 214-215, 223-224. http://www.understandingpower.com/chap4.htm