ICJ ruling - Israel is breaking international law.

"Israel's occupation, typified by settlements and by the dispossession of the local population, by annexational practices and by the negation of Palestinian self-determination, violates the norms that govern any occupation, and must end. Legally, Israel will no longer be able to argue that its occupation is "temporary" until an agreement in the indeterminate future is reached." - Haaretz Editorial

Copied from Haaretz daily bulletin 20/07/24

Romola

When Hamas committed the atrocities of 7th October, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the UN, commented that those events didn't come from nowhere.
Both sides have done terrible things. But the land-grab perpetrated by Israel sowed the seeds of the war. I'm glad about the ICJ judgement.

Secretary General of the UN, commented that those events didn't come from nowhere.

Terrorism always stems from somewhere - and it's true that one man's Freedom-Fighter is another man's Terrorist.

But acts of depraved barbarity stem from man's degeneracy, whichever side they are on, that's why war has rules of engagement. Humiliating your enemy by brutality can never be justified.

acts of depraved barbarity

This is what started the recent conflict. We all know that this has been going on for years, first the PLO, now Hamas. Now Israel is being attacked by the Houthis regularly and by Hezbollah. There are reports of fifty missiles landing in Israel this weekend, fired by Hezbollah, and of the Houthis sending drones and attacking supply ships. Israel is surrounded by enemies, both inside and outside the state of Israel. Hamas are still fighting and still holding the hostages, with no sign of any desire for peace.

But even as they fight in Gaza, the current regime in Israel pushes more and more into the West Bank. Is it surprising there is an armed response?

What would happen if Israel just withdrew from the West Bank and Gaza? Thus removing the Palestinians grudge.

Aveline

What would happen if Israel just withdrew from the West Bank and Gaza? Thus removing the Palestinians grudge.

They can't though, can they?

There are all the settlers to consider; they're not going to leave their homes and their livelihoods, however nefariously they have been obtained.

I don't think there will be any hope for peace until Netanyahu goes. He's continuing the horror in order to stay in power and avoid prosecution.

And how he's going to be removed is a mystery to me...

Netanyahu is heading for the US: Blinken is hoping to discuss a peace deal, but Netanyahu is likely to be wanting to shore up future US support.

Haaretz reports (yesterday)
"
'Israelis Have Led the Way': Why U.S. Jews Will Be Protesting Against Netanyahu During His Visit to D.C.
For decades, many American Jews believed it wrong to publicly criticize the Israeli state while living in the U.S. The policies of Benjamin Netanyahu changed all that, especially his current extremist government and its conduct of the Gaza war"

www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-07-20/ty-article-magazine/.premium/israelis-have-led-the-way-why-u-s-jews-will-be-protesting-against-netanyahu-in-d-c/00000190-c724-dfb6-afbe-ef6607090000

Meanwhile in Israel there continue to be huge demonstrations centred around a peace deal and the return of the hostages.

US support for Israel is complicated. there is a genuine desire to support a homeland for the Jewish peoples, but also Israel geographically stands right in the place the US want to have a foothold in the Middle East, especially against Iran. Hence huge amounts of arms.

Fully agree Netanyahu must go and go soon.
Re the West Bank settlers-are their rights more valid than the Palestinians they have displaced there? They lost their homes and livelihoods to rapacious settlers.