The ever shifting goal posts of Israel.

[WindFish]

The Israelis are now refusing to give the PA the taxes they collected on behalf of the PA in punishment for their UN vote

Spoiler :

RAMALLAH // Israel yesterday stopped payment of US$120 million in tax revenue to the Palestinians, as the government of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu punished them further for their successful UN statehood bid.

Hours later, Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, returned to Ramallah and was greeted by thousands of supporters after last week's vote by the UN general assembly.

Israel's finance minister Yuval Steinitz said last month's revenue would be used to pay the PA's debt to the Israeli electricity company.

"We said from the beginning that the raising of the status of Palestine at the UN would not produce no reaction from Israel," Mr Steinitz said.

"I have no intention of transferring the taxes due to the Palestinian Authority this month."

Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported that meant a total of $120m (Dh450m).

That could worsen a PA economy already crippled by donor countries that have failed to pay promised aid money - including Arab statesand the US, which withheld $200m after the Palestinian UN bid last year - and the impediments of Israeli occupation.

In recent months, the West Bank administration has repeatedly failed to pay its workforce of about 150,000 their salaries.

The UN vote recognised Palestine - the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, areas still occupied by Israel - as the 194th state in the general assembly.

Calling this clear evidence of world support for the Palestinian statehood, Mr Abbas said the measure's success was a, "Yes to the State of Palestine. Yes to our freedom. No to Israeli settlements and occupation".

"The world is with us! History is with us! The future is ours!" he told crowds of PA employees and schoolchildren in Ramallah yesterday.

Israel's right-wing government has sought to dampen such enthusiasm with a series of measures that began on Friday with an announcement to build 3,000 more houses in the West Bank.

Israel has suspended revenue payments in the past for months at a time. Such actions breach the 1994 Paris Protocol, an economic accord that was signed as a temporary measure by Israeli and Palestinian negotiators as part of the Oslo peace process.

In addition to forming a customs union and similar tax rates, the protocol obliges Israel to transfer the monthly tax revenues it collects on behalf of the PA.

Israel and the US were two of only nine countries that voted against last week's UN measure. Both demand the Palestinians return to direct peace talks that broke down two years ago because Mr Netanyahu refused to stop building settlements.

He yesterday rejected the Palestinians' UN move as a "one-sided step at the UN" that "constitutes a gross violation of the agreements that have been signed with the state of Israel".

But some Israelis have attacked Mr Netanyahu's response to the Palestinian UN move.

In a speech to academics and US officials in Washington, DC on Saturday, Ehud Olmert, a former Israeli prime minister, criticised Mr Netanyahu's announcement on Friday of more settlements as a "slap in the face" to the administration of the US president, Barack Obama.

That announcement included 3,000 new settler homes and sped up plans for building a settlement in an area vital for a viable Palestinian state, connecting the West Bank with East Jerusalem, known as E-1.

Despite the Israeli measures, crowds in Ramallah expressed enthusiasm.

"Israel always threatens us no matter what we do," said Ayyoub Fuqaha, 28, a history student at Jerusalem's Al Quds University.

"We are proud of our state and what our president, Abu Mazen, has achieved," he added, referring to Mr Abbas's nickname.

Its almost like Israel have lots of belief in their own defences, have lots of belief in Uncley Sam or they just dont care.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Punishing the Palestinians for electing Hamas worked out so well to turn international opinion even further against them, it is no surprise they wouldn't turn around and shoot themselves in the other foot.

At least they decided to not depose the Palestinian government and likely kill hundreds of thousands more innocent civilians in the process.

 

[Borachio]

Damn those Palestinians! Why won't they just sit down and perish?

It's not as if the Israelis like them.

Two nations. One plot of land. Two into one won't go.

 

[GhostWriter16]

Typical Middle Eastern bickering.

If America left them too it rather than continuing to specifically back Israel I'm confident an agreement of some sort would inevitably be reached.

 

[dutchfire]

Damn those Palestinians! Why won't they just sit down and perish?

It's not as if the Israelis like them.

Two nations. One plot of land. Two into one won't go.

They are both moving the goal posts out until there is enough land in between for both of them.

 

[ace99]

The Zionist entity is pushing for another Intifada, so they can crack down and ignore any agreements. These provocations are just the latest in a long line from Netzahualcoyotl's regime.

Edit: Netanyahu. What the hell autocorrect? In what world is that a more likely spelling? I had to look up who that even was, a warrior poet from Texaco apparently.

 

[History_Buff]

If America left them too it rather than continuing to specifically back Israel I'm confident an agreement of some sort would inevitably be reached.

And you're alright with the fact that, had that been the American policy to this day, Israel quite probably would not exist?

 

[GhostWriter16]

Its not our job to ensure the existance of any foreign country.

 

[Formaldehyde]

And you're alright with the fact that, had that been the American policy to this day, Israel quite probably would not exist?

American policy had little to do with the creation of Israel. In fact, the US was quite torn on the matter because they thought it would increase Soviet influence in the area, as well as endanger our supply of oil from Arab countries. While Truman generally supported the notion, he also took a generally hands-off approach to the matter and even initially refused to meet with the representative of the Zionist movement. He was also adamant that the Palestinians should have their own independent region as well.

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/israel/palestin.htm

June 21, 1946: A Joint Chiefs of Staff memorandum to the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee warns that if the United States uses armed force to support the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry, the Soviet Union might be able to increase its power and influence in the Middle East, and United States access to Middle East oil could be jeopardized.

September 24, 1946: Counsel to the President Clark Clifford writes to the President to warn that the Soviet Union wishes to achieve complete economic, military and political domination in the Middle East. Toward this end, Clifford argues, they will encourage the emigration of Jews from Europe into Palestine and at the same time denounce British and American policies toward Palestine and inflame the Arabs against these policies.

October 23, 1946: Loy Henderson, director of the State Department's Near East Agency, warns that the immigration of Jewish Communists into Palestine will increase Soviet influence there.

September 17, 1947: Secretary of State George Marshall, in an address to the United Nations, indicates that the United States is reluctant to endorse the partition of Palestine.

September 22, 1947: Loy Henderson, director the State Department's Near East Agency, addresses a memorandum to Secretary of State George Marshall in which he argues against United States' advocacy of the United Nations proposal to partition Palestine.

October 10, 1947: The Joint Chiefs of Staff argue in a memorandum entitled "The Problem of Palestine" that the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states would enable the Soviet Union to replace the United States and Great Britain in the region and would endanger United States access to Middle East oil.

October 17, 1947: President Truman writes to Senator Claude Pepper: "I received about 35,000 pieces of mail and propaganda from the Jews in this country while this matter [the issue of the partition of Palestine, which was being considered by the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine from May 13, 1947 to August 31, 1947] was pending. I put it all in a pile and struck a match to it -- I never looked at a single one of the letters because I felt the United Nations Committee [United Nations Special Committee on Palestine] was acting in a judicial capacity and should not be interfered with."

November 24, 1947: Secretary of State George Marshall writes to Under Secretary of State Robert Lovett to inform him that British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin had told him that British intelligence indicated that Jewish groups moving illegally from the Balkan states to Palestine included many Communists.

December 2, 1947: President Truman writes to former Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr., encouraging him to tell his Jewish friends that it is time for restraint and caution. "The vote in the U.N.," Truman wrote, "is only the beginning and the Jews must now display tolerance and consideration for the other people in Palestine with whom they will necessarily have to be neighbors."

December 12, 1947: President Truman writes to Chaim Weizmann, president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine and the World Zionist Organization, that it is essential that restraint and tolerance be exercised by all parties if a peaceful settlement is to be reached in the Middle East.

February 27, 1948: President Truman writes to his friend Eddie Jacobson, refusing to meet with Chaim Weizmann, the president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine and the World Zionist Organization.

March 13, 1948: President Truman's friend Eddie Jacobson walks into the White House without an appointment and pleads with Truman to meet with Chaim Weizmann, the president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine and the World Zionist Organization. Truman responds: "You win, you baldheaded son-of-a-. I will see him."

March 20, 1948: Secretary of State George Marshall announces that the United States will seek to work within the United Nations to bring a peaceful settlement to Palestine, and that the proposal for a temporary United Nations trusteeship for Palestine is the only idea presently being considered that will allow the United Nations to address the difficult situation in Palestine.

March 21, 1948: President Truman writes in his diary regarding the confusion caused by the State Department's handling of the trusteeship issue: "I spend the day trying to right what has happened. No luck. Marshall makes a statement. Doesn't help a bit."

March 21, 1948: President Truman writes to his sister Mary Jane Truman that the "striped pants conspirators" in the State Department had "completely balled up the Palestine situation." But, he writes, "it may work out anyway in spite of them."

March 22, 1948: President Truman writes to his brother Vivian Truman regarding Palestine: "I think the proper thing to do, and the thing I have been doing, is to do what I think is right and let them all go to hell."

March 25, 1948: President Truman says at a press conference that a United Nations trusteeship for Palestine would be only a temporary measure, intended to establish the peaceful conditions that would be the essential foundation for a final political settlement. He says that trusteeship is not a substitute for partition.

May 13, 1948: Chaim Weizmann, president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine and the World Zionist Organization, writes to President Truman: "I deeply hope that the United States, which under your leadership has done so much to find a just solution [to the Palestine situation], will promptly recognize the Provisional Government of the new Jewish state. The world, I think, would regard it as especially appropriate that the greatest living democracy should be the first to welcome the newest into the family of nations."

May 14, 1948: late morning eastern standard time (late afternoon in Palestine): David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, reads a "Declaration of Independence," which proclaims the existence of a Jewish state called Israel beginning on May 15, 1948, at 12:00 midnight Palestine time (6:00 p.m., May 14, 1948,eastern standard time).

May 14, 1948, 6 p.m. eastern standard time (12:00 midnight in Palestine): The British mandate for Palestine expires, and the state of Israel comes into being.

May 14, 1948, 6:11 p.m. eastern standard time: The United States recognizes Israel on a de facto basis. The White House issues the following statement: "This Government has been informed that a Jewish state has been proclaimed in Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the provisional government thereof. The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the State of Israel." To see a color copy of this document click here.

May 14, 1948, shortly after 6:11 p.m. eastern standard time: United States representative to the United Nations Warren Austin leaves his office at the United Nations and goes home. Secretary of State Marshall sends a State Department official to the United Nations to prevent the entire United States delegation from resigning.

 

[History_Buff]

American policy had little to do with the creation of Israel. In fact, the US was quite torn on the matter because they thought it would increase Soviet influence in the area, as well as endanger our supply of oil from Arab countries. While Truman generally supported the notion, he also took a generally hands-off approach to the matter and even initially refused to meet with the representative of the Zionist movement. He was also adamant that the Palestinians should have their own independent region as well.

I'm just saying that without American intervention, Israeli forces likely would have been overrun by Arab forces in the following conflicts, particularly Yom Kippur.

Its not our job to ensure the existance of any foreign country.

Just making sure. Though I'd argue that, owing to extensive foreign policy commitments over the last 90 years, that's not really true.

 

[Formaldehyde]

That was only after the Israelis threatened to use a large number of tactical nuclear weapons. And even so, it was just indirect aid to replace their destroyed ordnance along with warnings to the Soviet Union not to get directly involved.

 

[Tee Kay]

I'm just saying that without American intervention, Israeli forces likely would have been overrun by Arab forces in the following conflicts, particularly Yom Kippur.

Not likely.

 

[History_Buff]

That was only after the Israelis threatened to use a large number of tactical nuclear weapons. And even so, it was just indirect aid to replace their destroyed ordnance along with warnings to the Soviet Union not to get directly involved.

The whole nuclear weapons thing is not overly clear. Nixon was said to be pretty gung-ho about it, before any threat of nuclear use was made.

And replacing destroyed ordnance is pretty key. Without it, the Israelis wold literally not have been able to fight back. The Soviet Union was doing the same for the Arab states of course, but there's no reason to assume that would stop.

Not likely.

How so? Either the Israelis run out of ammo, and it's all over, or they run out of ammo and then unleash the nuclear arsenal. In either situation, Israel is pretty unlikely to survive.

 

[Agent327]

Damn those Palestinians! Why won't they just sit down and perish?

It's not as if the Israelis like them.

Two nations. One plot of land. Two into one won't go.

Funny you should say that. There's plenty of Arab Israelis (i.e. Palestinians), who have the vote and parliamentary represenatives if they like to vote for those.

As to the OP: Yes, there are those who don't care. And then there are those, brave enough to care. Even if they are assassinated for it by some extremist from their own country.

 

[Borachio]

Yes. >1.5 million of them.

So, it can be done. But naturally an Israel with ~50:50 Jewish/Arab population could not work.

No, sir. Nohow. Contrariwise.

Though I don't believe Arab Israelis enjoy equal rights, tbh. They are better off than dispossessed Palestinians.

In March 2010, a report released by several Israeli civil rights groups stated that the current Knesset was "the most racist in Israeli history" with 21 bills proposed in 2008 and 2009 that would discriminate against the country's Arab minority.

 

[GhostWriter16]

Just making sure. Though I'd argue that, owing to extensive foreign policy commitments over the last 90 years, that's not really true.

That our leaders make it their job does not mean that its their job

 

[Agent327]

In March 2010, a report released by several Israeli civil rights groups stated that the current Knesset was "the most racist in Israeli history" with 21 bills proposed in 2008 and 2009 that would discriminate against the country's Arab minority.

I think "racist" is the wrong word here. There's a point to make (and it has been made) that Arab Israelis (i.e. Palestinians) are the people that lived there since before the Arab conquest. There are no records of Arab immigration accompanying the conquest in any sugnificant numbers. Conversions, yes. But even if ignoring all that, religious discrimination would be more appropriate a term.

At any rate, bills proposed aren't bills passed. Knesset minorities may propose all kinds of bills that never get accepted, simply because there is no majority to support them.

 

[Borachio]

Oh you mean they are all Semites? Arabs and Jews?

I'd agree in principle. There's the irony!

 

[Leoreth]

I think his point is that ethnic differences are not the driving problem.

 

[Borachio]

But then religious differences aren't that important either.

They're both children of the Book.