Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

President Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Pablo Martinez Monsivais AP/Press Association Images

'This does not advance peace': Israel announces first new settlement in West Bank for 20 years

The Trump administration said the existence of settlements “was not in itself an impediment to peace”.

ISRAEL’S GOVERNMENT APPROVED the first West Bank settlement in two decades yesterday, creating the first serious test for US President Donald Trump’s new foray into Middle East peacemaking.

The White House pointedly avoided any specific condemnation of the announcement, although it said that further settlement activity “does not help advance peace” and that it expects Israel to show restraint moving forward.

Still, the relatively tepid response was a far cry from the automatic condemnations voiced by the Obama’s administration in reaction to Israeli settlement announcements.

The White House statement even went so far as to “welcome” what appears to be a limited Israeli commitment to take Trump’s concerns about settlements into “consideration,” without any guarantees to avoid similar announcements.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the decision late yesterday following a meeting of his policy making Security Cabinet.

Netanyahu has vowed to build a new settlement to compensate the residents of Amona, an illegal settler outpost that was demolished in February under the orders of Israel’s Supreme Court.

Yesterday’s announcement said the new settlement would be built near the existing settlement of Shilo, which is nearby to the Amona site. It also said the government had approved tenders to build 2,000 new apartments from previously approved settlement projects.

The Palestinians claim the West Bank and east Jerusalem, areas captured by Israel in 1967, as parts of a future state.

Tougher stance

In December, weeks before Trump was inaugurated, President Barack Obama allowed the UN Security Council to pass a resolution that declared all settlements in both areas to be illegal. Trump condemned the decision at the time.

On the campaign trail, Trump indicated he would be far more sympathetic to settlements than Obama and the international community, which consider Israeli construction on occupied land to be illegal.

His platform made no mention of an independent Palestinian state, and his inner circle includes strong supporters of the settlement movement.

But since taking office, Trump has appeared to change his position, telling an Israeli newspaper last month that settlements “may not be helpful” and telling Netanyahu at the White House that he would like to see some restraint.

Since then, Israel and the US have been in talks over what kind of construction the White House would tolerate.

A White House official sought to play down yesterday’s Israeli announcement, saying Netanyahu made his promise to the Amona settlers before Trump laid out his vision.

But the official, who agreed to discuss the matter on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly about it, signaled that the White House would take a tougher line down the road.

“As the administration has made clear: While the existence of settlements is not in itself an impediment to peace, further unrestrained settlement activity does not help advance peace,” the official said.

“The Israeli government has made clear that going forward, its intent is to adopt a policy regarding settlement activity that takes the president’s concerns into consideration. The United States welcomes this.”

White House envoy Jason Greenblatt has already made two visits to the region, including attending an Arab summit in Jordan this week.

In hopes of renewing peace talks for the first time since 2014, the official said the White House will continue to work with all sides “to create a climate that is conducive to peace.”

“We hope that the parties will take reasonable actions moving forward that create a climate that is conducive to peace,” he said.

Over 600,000 Israelis now live in settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. But Israel has not built a full-fledged new settlement since the 1990s.

Instead, construction during that period has expanded existing settlements or taken place in unauthorised outposts like Amona. Netanyahu’s hard-line government, which is dominated by settler allies, recently passed legislation aimed at legalising dozens of those outposts.

The Palestinians and the international community consider the settlements obstacles to peace because they gobble up territory where the Palestinians seek to establish their state.

Israel says the status of settlements as well as other issues, such as security, should be resolved in peace talks.

Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi condemned the new settlement approval and called for international intervention.

“Today’s announcement once again proves that Israel is more committed to appeasing its illegal settler population than to abiding by the requirements for stability and a just peace,” she said.

“It is time that all members of the international community serve the cause of peace and justice and bring Israel to cease and desist its unlawful settlement activities and illegal unilateralism once and for all.”

Read: Tensions flare as Syrian forces fire at Israeli jets

Read: Israeli soldier sentenced to 18 months for shooting dead injured Palestinian

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
67 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Price
    Favourite Pat Price
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:25 AM

    I wonder if Nethanyahu and his buddies studied the plantation of Ulster and its subsequent consequences before encouraging these “settlements” , nice word that ..

    161
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran O'dwyer
    Favourite Kieran O'dwyer
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:44 AM

    @Pat Price: I say the government should invite the israelies over here to build houses and apartments. Nothing seems to stops those boys. Our housing shortage would be solved in no time.

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stiofán Mac Stáin
    Favourite Stiofán Mac Stáin
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 8:33 AM

    @Pat Price: fantastic news! Keep building and fulfilling the mandate that is legally theirs since the League of Nations created the territory in the exact fashion of Pakistan / Lebanon / anywhere else. It’s only Israel people seem to have a problem with, no one talks about Syria’s loss of land with the creation of Lebanon.

    24
    See 9 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 9:58 AM

    @Stiofán Mac Stáin: I’d say Assad is grand with Lebanon considering its the home of Hezbollah and Syria and Iran being allies. Oh and your point seems to be “look over there!”

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 10:10 AM

    @Stiofán Mac Stáin: There was no ‘mandate’ given by the league of nations for Israel to illegally settle people in land it unlawfully occupied 20 years after the creation of its state

    You’re being silly.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Micky
    Favourite Mick Micky
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 10:46 AM

    @The Risen: In fact thats exactly what the mandate said:

    “Palestine will be for the purpose of closed settlement by Jews because of their unbroken connection to the land”.

    Not only did the mandate allow it but it specifically states it! You should read it sometime

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Micky
    Favourite Mick Micky
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 10:49 AM

    @The Risen: Oh and you can’t occupy yourself. Jordan illlegally occupied the West Bank and Israel legally took it back to fulfill the borders granted to it by the League of Nations.

    By your logic, if in 19 years time Ukraine took back Crimea, you would claim that Ukraine was occupying Crimea. They wouldn’t be and neither are Israel.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 10:52 AM

    @Mick Micky: Read the article please. It refers to settlements being built in the west bank, not israel proper. It is against the geneva convention to settle civilians pm land you unlawfully occupy.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Micky
    Favourite Mick Micky
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:13 AM

    @The Risen: Exactly my point.

    How can Jordan which illegally occupied part of Israel – magically legalize its claim through a third country which didn’t exist at the time?! The 1949 Armistice agreement (between Israel and Jordan) specifically states that the Green line is “not to be construed in any way as a legal or political boundary”.

    And yet here you are stating that it is in fact a boundary. The League of nations allocated Jordan for the Arabs and all of Palestine for the Jews – including the west bank; therefore it cannot be illegal to build on land which is yours.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:35 AM

    @Mick Micky: If what you say is correct (which we know its not), why does the international community, including the USA, consider the west bank to be occupied?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:39 AM

    @The Risen: he’s presenting an argument that basically denies reality. That reality includes 2 recognised states both with reasonable claim to exist with one of them taking this action despite the recognised illegality of it. Stubbornly sticking to the support of one side in this ignores consequences. There is no doubt that Palestinians will see this as an apartheid move and I don’t think anyone should be surprised to see a violent reaction to that.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Micky
    Favourite Mick Micky
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:59 PM

    @Tony: I’m not saying I don’t believe in two states – I do. I’m just saying that if Jews want to buildd houses on land which they have LEGALLY purchased from Arabs then that’s fine. Palestine cannot be the Jew free zone which some want it to be as that would be actual apartheid.

    @The Risen: You say it with such confidence but please do explain which part of my statement is incorrect? It’s an anomaly of international law that they consider it to be occupied.

    Eugene Kontorovich has excellent videos which outline this very clearly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub2x5UvjUs4

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian MacCarthaigh
    Favourite Brian MacCarthaigh
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:48 AM

    The only Peace Israel wants is every Piece of Palestine.

    139
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Brogan
    Favourite Alan Brogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 10:33 AM

    @Brian MacCarthaigh: no such place as Palestine

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 10:55 AM

    @Alan Brogan: If there is no such place as palestine, why did the Balfour declaration specifically mention the establishment ‘in Palestine’ of a home for the Jewish people?

    29
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:02 AM

    @Brian MacCarthaigh: and the Arabs want all of Palestine as well. They invaded in 1967 and lost. Though. The Israelis agreed to the carve up but the Arabs never did. That’s why there is no peace.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lepanto
    Favourite Lepanto
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 2:46 PM

    @Brian MacCarthaigh:

    Yeah right, The Palestinian Authority are too busy funding terrorism with charity funds from the West, along with building lavish mansions for the like of Abbas and his terrorist cronies… https://youtu.be/76NytvQAIs0

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 2:58 PM
    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:19 AM

    Bit the orange gimp more or less gave them a stamp of approval to do what they like a few weeks ago.

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Martel
    Favourite Charles Martel
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:24 AM

    @Reg:
    ‘Bit the orange’ – I understood that, but the rest makes no sense…

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brown Boots
    Favourite Brown Boots
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:27 AM

    @Charles Martel: what’s this got to do with club orange!

    4
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Corcoran
    Favourite Andrew Corcoran
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:48 AM

    @Reg: president flipflop

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bird Blighe
    Favourite Bird Blighe
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 8:52 AM

    Having been Jerusalem and seeing the beautiful, rich, vibrant city it is, then contrasting that with the basically 3rd world conditions that most Palestinians live in in their own state it just baffles the mind how the Israeli government can keep putting so much pressure on these people. And then the get upset when these people lash out! What do they expect, when you corner an animal its going to try fight its way out, its nature. I feel sorry for the people having to live in such conditions, and the people displaced by the ongoing occupation. These people are prisoners within their own country, who can’t travel from one area to another without being stopped and checked at gunpoint. And for the vast majority living and working abroad who can’t hold a passport for their own country as it is not internationally recognized, yet do you think Israel would give them one? Fat chance, their just seen as terrorists. Such a shame for such a beautiful part of the world and cultural hub of society

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:07 AM

    @Bird Blighe: Many Arabs are very wealthy. Gaza’s problems are entirely due to being ruled by a corrupt Islamic terrorist organisation. Isn’t it totally obvious?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Favourite Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:42 AM

    @ Billy Grogan .. Hey Hatsey! Are you trolling the journal again !!??
    Now your trolling on about Zionist thieves that the majority of the world is against , last time I came across your drivel you were claiming cannabis had absolutely no medicinal bring it and Ava Twomey was imagining it stopped her seizures!
    Everyone … This guy is a troll !

    22
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:43 AM

    @William Grogan: bit of a straw man to act like Gaza = Palestine.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Favourite Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:44 AM

    * medicinal value

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:53 AM

    @Ibhar Mac Suibhne: I made a statement of fact about Gaza being run by an Islamic terrorist group and you’re best shot of a reply is to call me a “troll”. It must be difficult for you to function with such a low IQ.

    People imagine that quack treatments work all the time that’s how con artists can exploit them. It’s explained by the Placebo Effect. Cannabis isn’t a medicine, it’s just this year’s quack cure all.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joe o hare
    Favourite joe o hare
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:52 AM

    Israel has no interest in peace and the west have no interest in putting pressure on israel to stop their murderous criminal behaviour.

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:04 AM

    @joe o hare: Israel has agreed a peace deal many times it’s the Arabs who have always refused.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rory2u
    Favourite rory2u
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 8:03 AM

    Obama had 8 years do do something. He did nothing except the week before he left office his administration didn’t veto an UN resolution. A cowardly performance in the end…

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben McArthur
    Favourite Ben McArthur
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 8:43 AM

    @rory2u: That’s not true. He did do something. He increased military aid to Israel.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Lane
    Favourite Paul Lane
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 9:05 AM

    Boycott the apartheid jewish state…Resolution 242 1967

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:09 AM

    @Paul Lane: Nelson Mandela denied Israel was an apartheid state and supported Israel’s right to exist.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Avina Laaf
    Favourite Avina Laaf
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:39 AM

    This is quite possibly the first and only time I agree with Trump….

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybadger197
    Favourite Honeybadger197
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 8:05 AM

    Jews building in Judea. Outrageous.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross Stewart
    Favourite Ross Stewart
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 9:28 AM

    Judea ceased to exist in 135AD. If we’re going to start reviving biblical notions of nationality, then let’s get the Ptolemaic kingdom and Parthia back together too

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybadger197
    Favourite Honeybadger197
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 9:39 AM

    @Ross Stewart: Its strange then that Ottoman and British records refer to the area as Judea and Samaria ( up till the 50′s anyway) You might let them know, if you get a chance.

    8
    See 14 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stiofán Mac Stáin
    Favourite Stiofán Mac Stáin
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 9:40 AM

    By your own logic then Palestine never existed!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 10:17 AM

    @Honeybadger197: “Stewart: Its strange then that Ottoman and British records refer to the area as Judea and Samaria ( up till the 50′s anyway)”

    Really? Because in the Balfour declaration of 1917, the British governemnt specifically refer to the area as Palestine.

    “His Majesty’s government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.”

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybadger197
    Favourite Honeybadger197
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:26 AM

    @The Risen: A compelling argument against a point I didnt make. Slow clap.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:45 AM

    @Honeybadger197: don’t make a complete fool of yourself. His point DIRECTLY addresses your comment.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybadger197
    Favourite Honeybadger197
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:01 PM

    @Tony Canning: No it doesnt Tony. The area has been known as Judea and Samaria for thousands of years. I made no reference to the wider lands/ regions being collectively referred to as “Palestine”. Its like you’re giving me grief for pointing out Cork is/was called Cork by shouting its called Munster.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:04 PM

    @Honeybadger197: so let’s see what you’re willing to acknowledge. How far back has any area been referred to as Palestine or a precursor?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybadger197
    Favourite Honeybadger197
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:10 PM

    @Tony Canning: Lets start with you withdrawing your previous comment Tony. We can take from there first – Ill be happy to address any questions thereafter.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:11 PM

    @Honeybadger197: and that reply says all that anyone needs to know. You won’t say anything more because you know exactly where it leads. Enjoy the pram without the toys.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike O'Sullivan
    Favourite Mike O'Sullivan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:14 PM

    @Honeybadger197. Do you live in Hibernia?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybadger197
    Favourite Honeybadger197
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:16 PM

    @Tony Canning: I see basic comprehension has abandoned you. If you try rereading the last sentence of my comment, you’ll see that Im more than happy to address any question on the matter. You simply have to withdraw your previous comment. If you cant thats up to you.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:21 PM

    @Honeybadger197: I know the answer and don’t need you to admit it. Anyone else with an ounce of sense can see that you’re taking a subjective view that refuses to acknowledge any other that may contradict yours. Like I said, you’re not refusing to answer due to anything I’ve said. You’re refusing to answer because you know what the answer is and that it would harm your subjective position. That’s your choice, but if you think I’m going to withdraw something then you’re deluded. If you think I’ve said anything offensive then report it. If you want to bother replying again, try doing it with some honesty.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross Stewart
    Favourite Ross Stewart
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:37 PM

    Yeah, Tommy Mary McGinty’s records refer to the area as Judea too- it still doesn’t change the fact that Judea hasn’t existed since Hadrien dissolved it.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybadger197
    Favourite Honeybadger197
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:40 PM

    @Tony Canning: whats subjective about a fact? Judea and Samaria have been known as such for thousands of years. The West Bank bit came into effect with Jordan. Thats the only point I made. Yourself and Risen decided this was incorrect, and you’ve both attempted to shoehorn a question about the naming/ history of the wider region as Palestine. Again, i said i was happy to engage your additional point once you withdrew your unnecessary comment.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lepanto
    Favourite Lepanto
    Report
    Apr 1st 2017, 7:24 AM

    @Ross Stewart:

    Jews from Judea, Arabs from Arabia…Parthians from Parthia? and where can I find one of those?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damian Moran
    Favourite Damian Moran
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 10:34 AM

    And the Fascist state of Israel continues to steal land illegal under international all the while murdering Palestinian children as it goes, while its apologists continue to ignore the truth of what this racist colony really is.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:10 AM

    @Damian, that absurd statement clearly shows you are deluded. Israel is the only democracy in the region.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Favourite Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 11:50 AM

    @ willy Grogan … Another comic statement !
    Israel is a democratic state ! Hilarious .. How many Palestinian children are in prison there without trial … Remember Imprisioning children is against all international democratic norm , not to mention denying them a trial !

    14
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:03 PM

    @Ibhar Mac Suibhne: You’re comparing the perfectly acceptable Israeli legal system, which has had to deal with 55 terrorist attacks like last week’s one in London in recent years, with its Arab neighbours? Seriously? It’s obviously you’re a left wing looney and I suppose being deluded is necessary to hold that world view but no Arab state has ANY legal system.

    Israel doesn’t execute gays, Iran does. The Saudis execute women for having sex. The Gaza terrorist outfit brutally shot dead in the streets “enemies” 2 years ago in front of children and after the last election, they held 10 years ago, they threw opposition politicians to their deaths from roofs. The Arabs in all parts of Arabia use children as human shields, suicide bombers and mass indoctrination to make them become jihadis is standard. You’re clearly as stark raving mad as any religious nut.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Favourite Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:11 PM

    Answer the question Gorgy , how many kids in prison without trial in your so called democracy?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:24 PM

    @Ibhar Mac Suibhne: Hundreds of terrorists some under 18 are in prison in Israel. What do you expect Israel to do with them? Maybe do what the Arabs do, hang them or chop their heads off? 30 Israelis have been murdered by terrorists since last winter started. Unfortunately the crazed Islamic zealots have brainwashed their own children to die as martyrs. Why aren’t you concerned with the training and use of children as terrorist “soldiers” which is also illegal under UN rules? Every country will jail violent criminals irrespective of their age, it’s just Israel has more of them.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Favourite Ibhar Mac Suibhne
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:49 PM

    @William Grogan: “some under the age of 18″….LOL!!
    Let’s see what UNICEF says about your so called “democracy” :-

    UNICEF 22-page report released 01/06/2013
    “Over the past decade, Israeli forces have arrested, interrogated and prosecuted around 7,000 Palestinian children aged between between 12 and 17, most of them boys, the report said, noting the rate was equivalent to “an average of two children each day.”

    “The analysis of the cases monitored by UNICEF identified examples of practices
    that amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment according
    to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention against Torture.”

    “In no other country are children systematically tried by juvenile military courts that, by definition, fall short of providing the necessary guarantees to ensure respect for their rights,” it said.

    The vast majority of arrests are for throwing stones, which is considered an offence under Section 212 of Military Order 1651.

    Although the maximum sentence for children of 12 and 13 is six months, the penalty rises dramatically from the age of 14 when a child can face a maximum penalty of between 10 and 20 years depending on the circumstances, it said.

    In a step-by-step analysis of the procedure from arrest to trial, the report said the common experience of many children was being “aggressively awakened in the middle of the night by many armed soldiers and being forcibly brought to an interrogation centre tied and blindfolded, sleep deprived and in a state of extreme fear.”

    Many were subjected to ill-treatment during the journey, with some suffering physical or verbal abuse, being painfully restrained or forced to lie on the floor of a vehicle for a transfer process of between one hour and one day.

    In some cases, they suffered prolonged exposure to the elements and a lack of water, food or access to a toilet.

    UNICEF said it found no evidence of any detainees being “accompanied by a lawyer or family member during the interrogation” and they were “rarely informed of their rights.”

    “The interrogation mixes intimidation, threats and physical violence, with the clear purpose of forcing the child to confess,” it said, noting they were restrained during interrogation, sometimes for extended periods of time causing pain to their hands, back and legs.

    “Children have been threatened with death, physical violence, solitary confinement and sexual assault, against themselves or a family member,” it said.

    Most children confess at the end of the interrogation, signing forms in Hebrew which they hardly understand.

    It also found children had been held in solitary confinement for between two days and a month before being taken to court, or even after sentencing.

    During court hearings, children were in leg chains and shackles, and in most cases, “the principal evidence against the child is the child’s own confession, in most cases extracted under duress during the interrogation,” it found.

    “Ultimately, almost all children plead guilty in order to reduce the length of their pretrial detention. Pleading guilty is the quickest way to be released. In short, the system does not allow children to defend themselves,” UNICEF concluded.
    https://www.unicef.org/oPt/UNICEF_oPt_Children_in_Israeli_Military_Detention_Observations_and_Recommendations_-_6_March_2013.pdf

    So this “democracy” systematically tortures and sexually abuses minors / kids …..that’s certainly not a democracy Willy is it?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 1:04 PM

    @Ibhar Mac Suibhne: It’s interesting that the report refers to children throwing “stones”. They throw breeze blocks and boulders that need two hands to throw OR smaller rocks, thrown using a sling-shot. The young brainwashed terrorist recruits throw rocks at cars on motorways. These have seriously injured and killed innocent drivers including some Arab Israelis. So we are talking about murder and attempted murder by gangs organised by terrorist organisations.

    Here’s one example of such a murder

    https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/world/middleeast/israel-west-bank-violence.html?_r=1

    The UN, which is 25% controlled by Muslim dictatorships, passes more anti-Israeli motions than all other countries put together. The UN is a joke.

    Why did you ignore this, “Why aren’t you concerned with the training and use of children as terrorist “soldiers” which is also illegal under UN rules? “

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lepanto
    Favourite Lepanto
    Report
    Apr 1st 2017, 7:30 AM

    @Ibhar Mac Suibhne:

    Hamas Bot alert

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2017, 6:16 PM

    @Ibhar Mac Suibhne: Two civilians and a policeman were injured in the second knifing this week in Jerusalem. The teenage terrorist was shot and killed by Israeli police and was celebrated by Hamas as “heroic.” Not surprisingly, the attacker’s death made headlines around the world, while the open praise for his violence from within Palestinian society, did not.

    Who brainwashed this 17 year old? Your terrorist friends did.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tommy
    Favourite Tommy
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 12:06 PM

    Long live Israel.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FlopFlipU
    Favourite FlopFlipU
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 7:54 AM

    @ Brian I fear you might be right

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marcus Tullius Cicero
    Favourite Marcus Tullius Cicero
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 5:53 PM

    Israel has no interest in peace, just in control, grabbing all the land and do the Palestinians over.
    The Palestinians have no interest in peace, just in Jihad, grabbing all the land and do the Israelis over.
    The US has no interest in peace, just in having an ally for military purposes in the region, selling/buying weapons and enhancing the profile of their politicians.
    NGOs have no interest in peace, just in keeping the wound bleeding and the cash rolling in.
    2000 years with this rubbish already these people.
    They all deserve each other.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alois Irlmaier
    Favourite Alois Irlmaier
    Report
    Mar 31st 2017, 1:04 PM

    The heading is confusing as Israel has never stopped building since after WW2?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donal O Cofaigh
    Favourite Donal O Cofaigh
    Report
    Apr 1st 2017, 12:23 PM

    Just wondering if the roles were reversed would Hamas , let the Jews live among them ???

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds