Likud Response To Palestine’s UNESCO Membership – Annex West Bank

November 1, 2011

Congratulations to the Palestinians for winning a membership vote at the UNESCO. That is is a recognition of Palestinian statehood and will open the path to membership of other international organizations. The State Department spokesperson has quite some difficulties (video) to explain the U.S. no vote on this.

Former ambassador Craig Murray says that Palestine could now join the International Criminal Court which could than seriously threaten Israeli politicians and military commanders for their crimes committed in Gaza and the West Bank.

Meanwhile the New York Times is giving OpEd space to the South African lawyer Richard Goldstone. Goldstone, you will remember, wrote a critical report on Israels devastating attack on Gaza only to recant under pressure. He now tries, unsuccessfully in my view, to explain that there is no apartheid in Israel and the West Bank:

The situation in the West Bank is more complex. But here too there is no intent to maintain “an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group.” This is a critical distinction, even if Israel acts oppressively toward Palestinians there. South Africa’s enforced racial separation was intended to permanently benefit the white minority, to the detriment of other races. By contrast, Israel has agreed in concept to the existence of a Palestinian state in Gaza and almost all of the West Bank, and is calling for the Palestinians to negotiate the parameters.

"Agreed in concept" while stealing Palestinian land without intent?. I have bridge to sell yah …

It is somewhat funny that he makes such claim of Israeli non-intent ("agreed in concept") the same day the deputy Knesset speaker is introducing a bill to "make Israel sovereign over Judea and Samaria", i.e. to annex the West Bank.

How is that about "no intent to maintain" oppression and domination and about "negotiating the parameters"?

Posted by b on November 1, 2011 at 13:44 UTC | Permalink

Comments

That would be wonderful, actually. If the Israelis claim sovereignty of the WB, then there would be no need for the collaborationist Palestinian (Vichy) Authority. And we can finally stop discussing this “two state solution” nonsense, and start demanding an end to apartheid. A one state, one man, one vote, solution.

Posted by: Lysander | Nov 1 2011 14:14 utc | 1

I’ll be happy if Palestine’s induction into UNESCO leads directly to sanctions on “Israel” for bulldozing an ancient Palestinian graveyard to build a Museum Of Tolerance in West Bank for the Jews to gloat about.
It was more than a little embarrassing to learn that Australia, led by closet Zionist and racist Islamophobe, Julia Gillard, voted against the UNESCO resolution alongside a gaggle of Neanderthals and Nazis led by “Israel” and the Yankees.

Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Nov 1 2011 15:10 utc | 2

Works for me, I’m all in favor of annexation. It’s great to see that the growing recognition of a Palestinian state advances BOTH the two-state and the single-state models simultaenously.
As for Goldstone, I admit I laughed when I read his sad little apology. He makes the perfect case based on his own definition of Apartheid: “Inhumane acts … committed in the context of an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over any other racial group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that regime.”
Note that he doesn’t even TRY to contest the “inhumane actions” “systematic oppression” “domination by one racial group” parts. He focuses solely on “intent,” when as any performer (and any lawyer without a viable case) knows is a great focus because you can never really “prove” intent. A person can always doubt whether the secret internal intent was really there. Of course, Goldstone’s position requires one to view the Occupation (which at 44 years old has almost outlasted the 46-year-long formal Apartheid) as one extended accident, with 500,000 settlers accidently ending up on the wrong side of the border. I’m not sure this line could convince anyone who isn’t a true believer already.

Posted by: Bill | Nov 1 2011 15:23 utc | 3

Question:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15542820

The main phone network in the West Bank and Gaza has suffered a sustained attack by computer hackers, the Palestinian Authority (PA) says.
It says most of the Palestinian territory has lost internet service.
PA spokesman Ghassan Ghattib said the attacks started in the morning and came from multiple sources around the world.

Internet and phone service has been knocked out in the West Bank and Gaza. Is this a prelude to a major Israeli attack on Gaza? I’d like to think it’s just petty revenge for the UNESCO vote, but it honestly makes a lot more sense as a prelude to an attack. Can anyone talk me down on this one?

Posted by: Bill | Nov 1 2011 16:46 utc | 4

@ Bill,
It would be pretty reckless to do it now as in Egypt the military junta is loosing popularity by the day. If they stand idle while Israel attacks Gaza (and of course they will) they will loose whatever credibility and legitimacy they have left. I doubt the Israelis want that right now, but you never know. An Israeli attack on Gaza would also be a huge blow to KSA’s counter-revolutionary efforts.
However, it would allow Israel an excuse to renege on it’s pledge to release of the second batch of 500 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for former POW Gilad Shalit. Perhaps that’s all that matters to them.

Posted by: Lysander | Nov 1 2011 16:57 utc | 5

“Can anyone talk me down on this one?”
Yes. The Jews prefer to telephone Gazans house by house, to warn them to get out. It gives the IOF snipers time to position themselves for a clear shot at the exits so they can pick off the children as as they emerge. Once the kids get clear of the house, they tend to race around in a blind panic and can be quite tricky targets. And the IOF don’t like to waste bullets on small moving targets, although the challenge appeals to most of them.
You probably think I’m joking.
But this is what passes for good clean fun in Jewish Occupied Palestine.

Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Nov 1 2011 17:18 utc | 6

sorry b, but two very important news fron greece merit your attention.
referendum in greece about the bail out. and germany opinion.
changes in the military.
please ask info for any friend of us in greece.

Posted by: an idiot | Nov 1 2011 19:31 utc | 7

@an idiot – Greece – may be just a headfake of the current boss there – trying for better conditions (or a better handout to him) – otherwise it would be a step in right direction. Greece should, and will, default: The did so 400 B.C. and many times after that. It doesn’t matter much in my view. The whole “panic” is just a show to allow for putting more taxpayer money into the bankers accounts.

Posted by: b | Nov 1 2011 19:39 utc | 8

@b –
It could be a head fake, or not. Either way, it is very possible that Greece defaults and/or chooses to leave the Euro into a Drachma that they can control. If that happens, expect STRONG movements for the same in the other at risk nations (PIIGS – with G being Greece of course). If that happens it could be the end of the Euro all together, or just a new Eurozone with just the more stable, northern nations. Those countries would be happy with that as well, as they are more than sick and tired of bailing out the south.
In other words, for once, the bankers and the creditors could finally take the fall for this. Or at least one can dream…

Posted by: Base | Nov 1 2011 23:39 utc | 9

The ICC is a total embarrassment and a dead end. At this point, it is merely the institutionalization of The White Man’s Burden, or as it’s currently spun ‘The Responsibility to Protect’. It won’t ever pan out for the causes of the truly dispossessed and should be ignored. Palestine should find a way to gain standing in the ICJ.

Posted by: masoud | Nov 2 2011 5:35 utc | 10

Ali Abunimah rips into Goldstone’s NYT defense of the Parasite State’s overt racism.
Answering Judge Goldstone’s defense and denial of Israeli apartheid
http://electronicintifada.net/blog/ali-abunimah/answering-judge-goldstones-defense-and-denial-israeli-apartheid#.TrDap3JlR64
Some of the commenters don’t pull any punches either.

Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Nov 2 2011 6:01 utc | 11

‘Former ambassador Craig Murray says that Palestine could now join the International Criminal Court which could than seriously threaten Israeli politicians and military commanders for their crimes committed in Gaza and the West Bank.
Oh? the ICC so far has chosen to target africans…and ignored europeans and americans and any of their allies. Its naieve to believe the ICC is a instrument of justice.
Theres an embassy cable that shows Ocampo working with US clinton to bring down sudans president.

Posted by: brian | Nov 2 2011 20:43 utc | 12

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2594103.ece

UNESCO chief has pleaded to the United States to “find a way forward” to continue its support to the world body as it will be “impossible” for the organisation to maintain its activities following the U.S. decision to snap funding on Palestine’s membership issue.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Director-General Irina Bokova said the U.S. is a “critical partner” of UNESCO and expressed hope that a solution to the funding issue will soon be found.
She expressed regret over U.S.’ decision to stop funding to it following Palestine’s membership to the organisation, saying the reduced funding will make it “impossible” for the agency to implement crucial programmes in education and support emerging democracies in fight against extremism.
“UNESCO is encouraged that the United States will maintain its membership in the organisation and hopes that a resolution to the funding issue will ultimately be identified,” Ms. Bokova said in a statement.
“Until that happens, it will be impossible for us to maintain our current level of activity.” she said.
She urged the U.S. administration, Congress and the American people to find a way forward and continue “support for UNESCO in these turbulent times.”
UNESCO’s General Conference had on Monday voted to admit Palestine as a full member of the Paris-based agency.
The decision was supported by 107 member states.
The U.S. had opposed the move and announced it will stop payment of $60 million it was going to make to UNESCO this month.

Posted by: Morocco Bama | Nov 4 2011 18:22 utc | 13

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