Are Israel’s actions justified to protect her citizens?

Bijan A M
by Bijan A M
16-Nov-2012
 

Many may have opinions and strong feelings towards existence of Israel and what has happened in the past 60+ years. But, one fact remains and that’s the legitimate formation of the state of Israel. One might argue post 67 war and some land issues, but, that remains to be the subject of the never ending peace process. In the mean time Israel has resorted to some extreme measures to protect her citizens. Such extremes, (in the eyes of many), has been viewed as implementing apartheid and inhumane.

As a simple minded individual, I am really puzzled to resolve this conflict in my mind. If someone or a group threatens my existence (in spite of my being more powerful) how am I supposed to humanly defend myself? Should I let the aggressor loose to hurt me to the point that I’m about to die before I react? OR should I keep the aggressor in check and prevent him from attack? What am I supposed to do if he attacks? If he breaks my arm, am I supposed to break his arm or if I have the ability, should I put him completely out so he would not harm me again? What would you do? Even if you consider the aggressor to be righteous, in light of the realities on the ground, what do you suppose the right reaction from Israel should be? Should they give into the existential threat (even at the price of giving up their land position)?

Any insightful response without re-hashing the history is very much appreciated.

Balatarin
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Sean-K

What do you say about these Bijan?

by Sean-K on Fri Nov 23, 2012 11:17 AM PST

  •  Resolution 181 (the Partition Plan of 1947 accepted by the Jews)
    declares Jerusalem, including Bethlehem and Beit Sahour, a corpus
    separatum – to be run under an international UN administration. This was
    reiterated in Resolution 303 a year later. We’re still waiting.
  • Resolution 194: resolves that 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. That was 64 years ago.
  • Resolution 237: Israel to allow return of the ‘new’ 1967 Palestinian refugees.
  • Resolution 242: emphasizes the inadmissibility of acquiring
    territory by war and calls on Israel to withdraw its forces from land
    occupied in 1967.
  • Resolution 252: declares invalid Israel’s attempts to unify Jerusalem as the Jewish capital.
  • Resolution 271: condemns Israel’s failure to obey UN resolutions on Jerusalem.
  • Resolution 298: deplores Israel’s changing of the status of Jerusalem.
  • Resolution 446: determines that Israeli settlements are a ‘serious
    obstruction’ to peace and calls on Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva
    Convention.
  • Resolution 452: calls on Israel to cease building settlements in occupied territories.
  • Resolution 465: deplores Israel’s settlements and asks all member states not to assist Israel’s settlements program.
  • Resolution 469: strongly deplores Israel’s failure to observe the Council’s order not to deport Palestinians.
  • Resolution 471: expresses deep concern’ at Israel’s failure to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention.
  • Resolution 476: reiterates that Israel’s claims to Jerusalem are null and void.
  • Resolution 478: censures Israel in the strongest terms for its claim to Jerusalem in its Basic Law.
  • Resolution 605: strongly deplores Israel’s policies and practices denying the human rights of Palestinians.
  • Resolution 608: deeply regrets that Israel has defied the United Nations and deported Palestinian civilians.
  • Resolution 641: deplores Israel’s continuing deportation of Palestinians.
  • Resolution 673: deplores Israel’s refusal to cooperate with the United Nations.
  • Resolution 681: deplores Israel’s resumption of the deportation of Palestinians.
  • Resolution 694: deplores Israel’s deportation of Palestinians and calls on it to ensure their safe and immediate return.
  • Resolution 726: strongly condemns Israel’s deportation of Palestinians.
  • Resolution 799: ditto

    • All UN and not complete list...... but of course you know.

    •  
    Sean-K

    --

    by Sean-K on Sun Nov 18, 2012 12:46 PM PST


    •  
    Bijan A M

    I wish...

    by Bijan A M on Sun Nov 18, 2012 08:03 AM PST

    AO jaan and others, I wish what you suggested was anything but fantacy. It would be the least painful solution and one with least bloodshed. The most realistic and practical solution (IMHO) is the two state solution. But, considering that IRI ,directly or indirectly, is now involved in this conflict, are Isral's action/reaction (i.e. disproportionate response) justified? 


    •  
    Soosan Khanoom

    Well said AO .... I am with you on that ..100 percent !

    by Soosan Khanoom on Sat Nov 17, 2012 06:10 PM PST

    That piece of shit is anything but holly ...   Just imagine how many people got killed over it? And, I am not just talking about events after the creation of the state of Israel .  Through out the history, there has always been bloodshed over that promised shit.  

    Enough is Enough !  

     


    •  
    nozarmahallati

    When Israeli or Palestinian

    by nozarmahallati on Sat Nov 17, 2012 07:09 AM PST

    When Israeli or Palestinian moms and dad wake up in the morning or go to bed at night, they don't think about how to kill Arabs or Jews respectively.

    They think about their children and family.  How to best provide for them; a safe roof over their heads, food, education, fun etc.

    The problem of war is created by people who benefit from war.  Financially and otherwise.

    If the financial benefits of war are removed, war(s) will end.

    At the moment, Iran is fueling the flames of war by provoking Hamas to attack.

    If I were a Jew living in Israel, I would have leveled the entire neighborhood 25 years ago and gotten rid of the problem once and for all.

    But, prolonged war is a lot more lucrative.  So, people in charge on all sides (Israel, Palestine, Arab countries, U.S. and Iran) all prefer it that way. 


    •  
    Sean-K

    منهم با شما موافقم

    Sean-K
    Sat Nov 17, 2012 12:48 AM PST

    به نظر من به فلسطین از بدبختی طویله شده، اسرائیل هم از وجود حیواناتی چون
    بی‌بی . حالا که همش طویلست چرا حیوانات واقعی توش نذاریم؟ ایده بسیار
    عالی‌ دادین. فقط میترسم اسرائیل بگه باید لندن و پاریس و نیویورک رو بدین
    به ما!


    •  
    Anonymous Observer

    I'm sick of this violence--and sick of seeing dead children

    by Anonymous Observer on Fri Nov 16, 2012 01:52 PM PST

    This BS will never end.  Here's my solution:

    empty out the f*cking place.  Divide, and send, the Arab population into Arab countries (or wherever else they want to); divide, and send, the Jews into European countries (or wherever else they want to go), level the place down--especially those s**t "holy sites"-- and make the whole place a wildlife refuge.  We can put all kinds of endangered species in there and protect them.  We can then use the place for eco-tourism.  It's a small pice of s**t territory anyway.  No one will miss it as a country--or two or three countries that it is supposed to be in the future.  And the population could easily be absorbed by other countries.  End result:  we will do a great thing for the environment and the planet woulnd't have to deal with this tragedy everyday.   


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