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ProgressiveMuslim Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 06:48 PM
Original message
The West's weapon of self-delusion


There are gun battles in Beirut – and America thinks things are going fine

By Robert Fisk

07/06/08 "The Independent" -- - -So they are it again, the great and the good of American democracy, grovelling and fawning to the Israeli lobbyists of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), repeatedly allying themselves to the cause of another country and one that is continuing to steal Arab land.

Will this ever end? Even Barack Obama – or "Mr Baracka" as an Irish friend of mine innocently and wonderfully described him – found time to tell his Jewish audience that Jerusalem is the one undivided capital of Israel, which is not the view of the rest of the world which continues to regard the annexation of Arab East Jerusalem as illegal. The security of Israel. Say it again a thousand times: the security of Israel – and threaten Iran, for good measure.

Yes, Israelis deserve security. But so do Palestinians. So do Iraqis and Lebanese and the people of the wider Muslim world. Now even Condoleezza Rice admits – and she was also talking to Aipac, of course – that there won't be a Palestinian state by the end of the year. That promise of George Bush – which no-one believed anyway – has gone. In Rice's pathetic words, "The goal itself will endure beyond the current US leadership."

Of course it will. And the siege of Gaza will endure beyond the current US leadership. And the Israeli wall. And the illegal Israeli settlement building. And deaths in Iraq will endure beyond "the current US leadership" – though "leadership" is pushing the definition of the word a bit when the gutless Bush is involved – and deaths in Afghanistan and, I fear, deaths in Lebanon too.

It's amazing how far self-delusion travels. The Bush boys and girls still think they're supporting the "American-backed government" of Fouad Siniora in Lebanon. But Siniora can't even form a caretaker government to implement a new set of rules which allows Hizbollah and other opposition groups to hold veto powers over cabinet decisions.

Thus there will be no disarming of Hizbollah and thus – again, I fear this – there will be another Hizbollah-Israeli proxy war to take up the slack of America's long-standing hatred of Iran. No wonder President Bashar Assad of Syria is now threatening a triumphal trip to Lebanon. He's won. And wasn't there supposed to be a UN tribunal to try those responsible for the murder of ex-prime minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005? This must be the longest police enquiry in the history of the world. And I suspect it's never going to achieve its goal (or at least not under the "current US leadership").

There are gun battles in Beirut at night; there are dark-uniformed Lebanese interior ministry troops in equally dark armoured vehicles patrolling the night-time Corniche outside my home.

At least Lebanon has a new president, former army commander Michel Sleiman, an intelligent man who initially appeared on posters, eyes turned to his left, staring at Lebanon with a creditor's concern. Now he has wisely ordered all these posters to be torn down in an attempt to get the sectarian groups to take down their own pictures of martyrs and warlords. And America thinks things are going fine in Lebanon.

And Bush and his cohorts go on saying that they will never speak to "terrorists". And what has happened meanwhile? Why, their Israeli friends – Mr Baracka's Israeli friends – are doing just that. They are talking to Hamas via Egypt and are negotiating with Syria via Turkey and have just finished negotiating with Hizbollah via Germany and have just handed back one of Hizbollah's top spies in Israel in return for body parts of Israelis killed in the 2006 war. And Bush isn't going to talk to "terrorists", eh? I bet he didn't bring that up with the equally hapless Ehud Olmert in Washington this week.

more...
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20055.htm
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oberliner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 07:13 PM
Response to Original message
1. Hezbollah continues to disregard international law and hold Lebanon hostage
Lebanon will not be able to live without the sorts of horrors described in the above article until Hezbollah disarms as a militia and turns its weapons in to the Lebanese army, as per UN Resolutions 1559, 1680, 1701, and the Taif agreement.


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ProgressiveMuslim Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 07:20 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Something pretty remarkable happened in Lebanon recently...
a whole lot of stuff got settled, and the US was a complete NON FACTOR in what went down.

I find that pretty interesting.
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oberliner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 07:51 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. Hezbollah's bullying tactics got them what they wanted
Nothing beats a good old fashioned "show of force" by an outlawed extra-governmental milita group to give folks in the government the nudge they need to reach a "consensus".

It certainly seems less likely now that the government will be able to disarm Hezbollah as required by UN Security Council Resolution 1559.
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ProgressiveMuslim Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-09-08 05:24 PM
Response to Reply #5
11. Oberliner, I am curious...
How do you regard the US as an international force?

Do you believe that the US intentions in Lebanon for for the good of the majority of Lebanese? I'm really just curious as to how you understand the US as an international actor.
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oberliner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-09-08 06:02 PM
Response to Reply #11
12. In Lebanon, as everywhere else, the US supports leaders who will be friendly to American interests
Sometimes that coincides with the good of the majority of Lebanese, sometimes it does not.

In my view, the continued refusal of Hezbollah to disarm as a militia will prove damaging to the people of Lebanon in the long run.

Why not turn in their weapons to the Lebanese army and transform themselves into a political party?

They seem to care more about scoring points against the West and putting on macho displays of militarism than the good of the Lebanese people.

Admittedly, with so many different ethnic and religious groups in Lebanon, and a history of civil war and conflict, it seems difficult to envision stability and unity taking hold in that country in the near future.

I think Hezbollah could take a giant step towards making that happen, however, if they honored the requirements indicated in the UN Resolutions cited earlier.

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ProgressiveMuslim Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-10-08 12:11 PM
Response to Reply #12
17. You didn't answer my question.
Edited on Tue Jun-10-08 12:12 PM by ProgressiveMuslim
You don't have to, but I wasn't asking what you thought about hezbollah, but rather about the US.

How do you judge what's in the best interest of the majority of Lebanese? I'm asking that genuinely...
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oberliner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-10-08 02:08 PM
Response to Reply #17
20. I thought I answered the question in the subject line
I think that the US wants Lebanon to have a stable government that is friendly to the US.

Whether or not that is in the best interest of the majority of Lebanese is not a top priority for US policy makers, in my opinion.

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Vegasaurus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-10-08 02:13 PM
Response to Reply #20
21. Countries usually don't put the best interest of other countries above their
own best interests.

The US is not alone in this respect.
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ProgressiveMuslim Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-10-08 08:59 PM
Response to Reply #20
22. So how do you, as an American, judge what to support?
How do you decide whether or not to support US policy in a given arena?

I'm no expert on Lebanon, so I don't have any answers. But I think that having a balance to the US exercise of power in the region is a good thing.
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oberliner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-10-08 09:37 PM
Response to Reply #22
23. The situation in Lebanon is certainly a complicated one
Edited on Tue Jun-10-08 09:37 PM by oberliner
It seems a tall order for a country that is roughly divided into equal parts Christians, Sunnis, and Shias to find a way to live in peace and stability.

The call for Hezbollah to disarm as a militia is not just US policy, but was part of a resolution that was agreed to by the UN Security Council.

I'm not an expert either, but I strongly believe that it would be in the best interests of Lebanon if Hezbollah became a political party rather than an independent military force.
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bemildred Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 08:01 PM
Response to Reply #2
7. Yeah, Lebanon is very interesting right now.
Edited on Sun Jun-08-08 08:06 PM by bemildred
The Mighty Wurlitzer has been throttled way back down about Lebanon since the Qatar accord, too. But then, they don't know what to do. I take that as an indicator of US impotence, or perhaps I mean cognitive disconnect induced brainlock. One still hesitates to use "impotence" as a description for the US. There seems to be a good deal of thrashing around in the Israeli ruling "elites" too. Wild threats flying in all directions.

Edit: and Mr Fisk does seem to be in a very bad mood.
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azurnoir Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-10-08 12:59 PM
Response to Reply #7
18. Sounds like the Wurlitzer players
are having a problem with obtaining the proper sheet music for "Arabs are doin' it for Themselves".
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justinsb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 07:28 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. I think it would help matters in Lebanon and throughout the region
If more UN resolutions were followed, including by Israel

233 6 June 1967 Calls for an immediate cease-fire and cessation of all military activities.


234 7 June 1967 Demands a cease-fire.


237 14 June 1967 Calls upon the Government of Israel to ensure the safety, welfare and security of the inhabitants, facilitate the return of those inhabitants who have fled the areas since the outbreak of the hostilities and recommends the scrupulous respect of the humanitarian principles contained in the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949.


242 22 Nov 1967 Affirms that the fulfillment of Charter principles requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include: withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict; and termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force.


248 24 Mar 1968 Deplores the loss of life and heavy damage to property. Condemns the military action launched by Israel in flagrant violation of the U.N. Charter and the cease-fire resolution. Calls upon Israel to desist from acts or activities in contravention of resolution 237 (1967). (This was an attack against Karameh, Jordan.)


250 27 Apr 1968 Calls upon Israel to refrain from holding the military parade in Jerusalem which is contemplated for 2 May 1968.


251 2 May 1968 Deeply deplores the holding by Israel of the military parade in Jerusalem on 2 May 1968 in disregard of the unanimous decision adopted by the Council on 27 April 1968.


252 21 May 1968 Deplores the failure of Israel to comply with General Assembly resolutions 2253 (ES-V) and 2254 (ES-V) of 4 and 14 July 1967. Considers that all legislative and administrative measures taken by Israel, including the expropriation of land and properties thereon, which tend to change the legal status of Jerusalem, are invalid and cannot change the status. Urgently calls upon Israel to rescind all such measures taken and to desist from further actions changing the status of Jerusalem.


259 27 Sept 1968 Deplores the delay in implementation of resolution 237 (1967) because of the conditions still being set by Israel for receiving a Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Requests the Secretary-General to urgently dispatch a Special Representative to the Arab territories under military occupation by Israel following the hostilities of 5 June 1967 and to report on the implementation of resolution 237 (1967).


267 3 Jul 1969 Reaffirms the established principle that the acquisition of territory by military conquest is inadmissible. Deplores the failure of Israel to show any regard for the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. Censures in the strongest terms all measures taken to change the status of the city of Jerusalem. Urgently calls once more on Israel to rescind all measures taken by it to change the status of Jerusalem and in the future to refrain from all actions likely to have such an effect


271 15 Sep 1969 Grieved at the extensive damage caused by arson to the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on 21 August 1969 under the military occupation of Israel; calls upon Israel to scrupulously observe the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and international law governing military occupation.
298 25 Sep 1971 Deplores the failure of Israel to respect previous U.N. resolutions concerning measures and actions by Israel purporting to affect the status of the city of Jerusalem. Confirms that all legislative and administrative actions taken by Israel … are totally invalid and cannot change that status. Urgently calls upon Israel to rescind all such measures….


338 22 Oct 1973 Calls for an immediate cease-fire and termination of all military activity. Calls upon the parties concerned to start immediately after the cease-fire the implementation of Security Council resolution 242 (1967) in all of its parts....


339 23 Oct 1973 Refers to resolution 338 (1973); confirms its decision on immediate cessation of all military actions; and requests the Secretary-General to take measures for immediate dispatch of U.N. observers to supervise observance of the cease-fire.


381 30 Nov 1975 Expresses concern over the continued state of tension in the area. Decides to reconvene on 12 January 1976 to continue the debate on the Middle East problem including the Palestinian question, taking into account all relevant U.N. resolutions.


425 19 Mar 978 Calls for the strict respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon. Calls upon Israel immediately to cease its military action against Lebanese territorial integrity and withdraw forthwith its forces from all Lebanese territory. Decides to establish immediately under its authority a United Nations Interim Force in Southern Lebanon (UNIFIL).


446 22 Mar 1979 Determines that the policy and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Calls once more upon Israel, as the occupying power, to abide scrupulously by the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, to rescind its previous measures and to desist from taking any action which would result in changing the legal status and geographical nature and materially affecting the demographic composition of the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and in particular, not to transfer parts of its own civilian population into the occupied Arab territories.


452 20 Jul 1979 Calls upon the government and people of Israel to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem.


465 1 Mar 1980 Determines that all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, composition, institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no legal validity and that Israel's policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and also constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Strongly deplores the continuation and persistence of Israel in pursuing those policies and practices. Calls upon the government and people of Israel to rescind those measures, to dismantle the existing settlements and in particular to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. Calls upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with settlements in the occupied territories; and requests the Commission to continue examining the situation relating to settlements, to investigate the reported serious depletion of natural resources, particularly water, with a view to ensuring protection of those important natural resources of the territories under occupation.


468 8 May 1980 Recalling the Geneva Convention of 1949 and expressing deep concern at the expulsion by the Israeli military occupation authorities of the Mayors of Hebron and Halhoul and of the Sharia Judge of Hebron, calls upon Israel as occupying Power to rescind these illegal measures and to facilitate the immediate return of the expelled Palestinian leaders.


469 20 May 1980 Strongly deplores the failure of Israel to implement resolution 468 (1968). Calls again upon the Government of Israel, as occupying Power, to rescind the illegal measures taken by the Israeli military occupation authorities in expelling the Mayors of Hebron and Halhoul and the Sharia Judge of Hebron.


471 5 June 1980 Expresses deep concern that the Jewish settlers in the occupied Arab territories are allowed to carry arms thus enabling them to perpetrate crimes against the civilian population. Calls for the immediate apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators of these crimes and condemns the assassination attempts on the lives of the Mayors of Nablus, Ramallah and Al-Bireh. Expresses deep concern that Israel, as occupying Power, has failed to provide adequate protection to the civilian population in the occupied territories in conformity with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Calls again upon the Government of Israel to respect and comply with the provisions of the Convention as well as with the resolutions of the Council, calls once again upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with settlements in the occupied territories. Reaffirms the overriding necessity to end the prolonged occupation of Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem.


476 30 June 1980 Reaffirms the overriding necessity to end the prolonged occupation of Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem. Strongly deplores the continued refusal of Israel, the occupying Power, to comply with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. Reiterates that all measures taken by Israel which have altered the geographic, demographic and historical character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. Reaffirms that all such measures and actions constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Reaffirms its determination in the event of non-compliance by Israel to examine practical ways and means in accordance with relevant provisions of the U.N. Charter to secure full implementation of this resolution.


478 20 Aug 1980 Censures in the strongest terms the enactment by Israel of the "basic law" on Jerusalem and the refusal to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions. Affirms that the enactment of the "basic law" by Israel constitutes a violation of international law and does not affect the continued application of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since June 1967, including Jerusalem. Determines that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and the status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular, the recent "basic law" on Jerusalem, are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith. Decides not to recognize the "basic law" and such other actions by Israel that, as a result of this law, seek to alter the character and status of Jerusalem. Calls upon all members of the United Nations (a) to accept this decision, (b) and upon those States that have established diplomatic Missions in Jerusalem to withdraw such Missions from the Holy City.


484 19 Dec 1980 Expressing grave concern at the expulsion by Israel of the Mayor of Hebron and the Mayor of Halhoul, calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to adhere to the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Declares it imperative that they be enabled to return to their homes and resume their responsibilities.


508 5 June 1982 Calls upon the parties to the conflict to cease immediately and simultaneously all military activities within Lebanon and across the Lebanese-Israeli border. Requests all Member States which are in a position to do so to bring their influence to bear upon those concerned so that the cessation of hostilities declared by Security Council resolution 490 (1981) can be respected. (Beginning of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.)


509 6 June 1982 Demands that Israel withdraw all its military forces forthwith and unconditionally to the internationally recognized boundaries of Lebanon and demands that all parties observe strictly the terms of paragraph 1 of resolution 508 (1982).


512 19 June 1982 Expressing deep concern at the suffering of the Lebanese and Palestinian civilian populations, calls upon all the parties to the conflict to respect the rights of the civilian populations, to refrain from all acts of violence against those populations and to take all appropriate measures to alleviate the suffering caused by the conflict.


513 4 Jul 1982 Expressing alarm at the continued sufferings of the Lebanese and Palestinian civilian populations in southern Lebanon and in west Beirut, calls for respect for the rights of the civilian populations without any discrimination and repudiates all acts of violence against those populations. Calls further for the restoration of the normal supply of vital facilities such as water, electricity, food and medical provisions, particularly in Beirut.


515 29 Jul 1982 Demands that the government of Israel lift immediately the blockade of the city of Beirut in order to permit the dispatch of supplies to meet the urgent needs of the civilian population.


516 1 Aug 1982 Confirms its previous resolutions and authorizes the Secretary-General to deploy immediately, on the request of the Government of Lebanon, U.N. observers to monitor the situation in and around Beirut.


517 4 Aug 1982 Confirms once again its demand for an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. Censures Israel for its failure to comply with the above resolutions. Takes note of the decision of the Palestine Liberation Organization to move the Palestinian armed forces from Beirut and authorizes the Secretary-General to increase the number of U.N. observers in and around Beirut.


518 12 Aug 1982 Demands that Israel and all parties to the conflict observe strictly the terms of Security Council resolutions relevant to the immediate cessation of all military activities within Lebanon and, particularly, in and around Beirut. Demands the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the city of Beirut


520 17 Sep 1982 Condemns the recent Israeli incursions into Beirut in violation of the cease-fire agreements and of Security Council resolutions. Demands an immediate return to the positions occupied by Israel before 15 September 1982, as a first step towards the full implementation of Security Council resolutions.


521 19 Sep 1982 Condemns the criminal massacre of Palestinian civilians in Beirut; reaffirms its resolutions 512 (1982) and 513 (1982), which call for respect for the rights of the civilian populations without any discrimination, and repudiates all acts of violence against those populations. Requests the Secretary-General, as a matter of urgency, to initiate appropriate consultations and, in particular, consultations with the Government of Lebanon on additional steps which the Security Council might take, including the possible deployment of United Nations forces, to assist that government in ensuring full protection for the civilian populations in and around Beirut. (Massacre of Sabra and Shattilla refugee camps while eastern Beirut was under Israeli military occupation.)


573 4 Oct 1985 Condemns vigorously the act of armed aggression perpetrated by Israel against Tunisian territory in flagrant violation of the U.N. Charter, international law and norms of conduct; and demands that Israel refrain from perpetrating such acts of aggression or from threatening to do so. (Israeli raid against PLO Headquarters in Hammam Al-Shut)


592 8 Dec 1986 Strongly deplores the opening of fire by the Israeli army resulting in the death and the wounding of defenseless students at Bir Zeit University. Calls upon Israel to abide immediately and scrupulously by the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949. Calls upon Israel to release any person or persons detained as a result of the recent events at Bir Zeit University.


605 22 Dec 1987 Strongly deplores those policies and practices of Israel, the occupying Power, which violate the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories, particularly the opening of fire by the Israeli army, resulting in the killing and wounding of defenseless Palestinian civilians. Calls once again upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide immediately and scrupulously by the Fourth Geneva Convention.


607 5 Jan 1988 Calls upon Israel to refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilians from the occupied territories; and strongly requests it to abide by its obligations arising from the Fourth Geneva Convention.


608 14 Jan 1988 Reaffirming resolution 607 (1988) of 5 January 1988, deeply regrets that Israel, the occupying Power, in defiance of U.N. resolutions, has deported Palestinian civilians. Calls upon Israel to rescind the orders and to desist from forthwith deporting any other Palestinian civilians from the occupied territories.


611 25 Apr 1988 Having noted with concern that the aggression perpetrated on 16 April 1988 in the locality of Sidi Bou Said (Tunisia) has caused loss of human life, particularly the assassination of Mr. Khalil Al-Wazir, condemns vigorously the aggression perpetrated against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Tunisia in flagrant violation of the U.N. Charter; and urges Member States to take measures to prevent such acts against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States. (Al-Wazir (Abu-Jihad) was the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Palestine Liberation Organization.)


636 6 Jul 1989 Deeply regrets the continuing deportation by Israel, the occupying Power, of Palestinian civilians. Calls upon Israel to ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied Palestinian territories of those deported and to desist forthwith from deporting any other Palestinian civilians. Reaffirms that the Fourth Geneva Convention is applicable to the Palestinian territories, occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and to the other occupied Arab territories.


641 30 Aug 1989 Deplores Israel's continuing deportation of Palestinian civilians. Calls upon Israel to ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied Palestinian territories of those deported and to desist forthwith from deporting any other Palestinian civilians. Reaffirms that the Fourth Geneva Convention is applicable to the Palestinian territories, occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and to the other occupied Arab territories.


672 12 Oct 1990 Reaffirming that a just and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict must be based on its resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) through an active negotiating process which takes into account the right to security for all States in the region, including Israel, as well as the legitimate political rights of the Palestinian people. Expresses alarm at the violence which took place on 8 October at Al-Haram Al-Sharif and other Holy Places of Jerusalem, resulting in over twenty Palestinian deaths and the injury of more than one hundred and fifty people, including Palestinian civilians and innocent worshippers. Condemns especially the acts of violence committed by the Israeli security forces, resulting in injuries and loss of human life. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention.


673 24 Oct 1990 Deplores the refusal of the Israeli Government to receive the mission of the Secretary-General to the region in violation of resolution 672 (1990).


681 20 Dec 1990 Expresses its grave concern over the rejection by Israel of its resolutions 672 (1990) and 673 (1990). Deplores the decision by the Government of Israel, the occupying Power, to resume the deportation of Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories. Urges the Government of Israel to accept the de jure applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to all the territories occupied by Israel since 1967


694 24 May 1991 Declares that the action of the Israeli authorities of deporting four Palestinians on 18 May is in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which is applicable to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem. Deplores this action and reiterates that Israel refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilian from the occupied territories and ensure the safe and immediate return of all those deported.


726 6 Jan 1992 Strongly condemns the decision of Israel, the occupying Power, to resume deportation of Palestinian civilians. Reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem. Requests Israel to ensure the safe and immediate return of all those deported.


799 18 Dec 1992 Strongly condemns the action taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to deport hundreds of Palestinian civilians (on 17 December 1992). Expresses its firm opposition to any such deportations by Israel. Reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem. Demands that Israel ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied territories of all those deported.


904 18 Mar 1994 Strongly condemns the massacre in Hebron committed against Palestinian worshippers in Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, on 25 February 1994, during the holy month of Ramadan, and its aftermath which took the lives of more than 50 Palestinian civilians and injured several hundred others. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to continue to take and implement measures, including, inter alia, confiscation of arms, with the aim of preventing illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers. Calls for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians throughout the occupied territory, including, inter alia, a temporary international or foreign presence, which was provided for in the Declaration of Principles, within the context of the ongoing peace process.


1073 28 Sep 1996 Expresses its deep concern about the tragic events in Jerusalem and the areas of Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem and the Gaza Strip, which resulted in a high number of deaths and injuries among the Palestinian civilians. Calls for the immediate cessation and reversal of all acts which have resulted in the aggravation of the situation and which have negative implications for the Middle East peace process. Calls for the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians to be ensured. Calls for the immediate resumption of negotiations within the Middle East peace process on its agreed basis and the timely implementation of the agreements reached. (The draft resolution was issued officially as a presidential text, which normally indicates unanimity prior to the vote.)


1322 7 Oct 2000 Reaffirms that a just and lasting solution to the Arab and Israeli conflict must be based on its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, through an active negotiating process. Deplores the provocation carried out at Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem on 28 September 2000, and the subsequent violence there and at other Holy Places, as well as in other areas throughout the territories occupied by Israel since 1968, resulting in over 80 Palestinian deaths and many other casualties. Condemns acts of violence, especially the excessive use of force against Palestinians, resulting in injury and loss of human life. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and its responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva. Calls for the immediate cessation of violence, and for all necessary steps to be taken to ensure that violence ceases, that new provocative actions are avoided, and that the situation returns to normality. Stresses the importance of establishing a mechanism for a speedy and objective inquiry into the tragic events of the last few days with the aim of preventing their repetition.
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oberliner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 07:40 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. Israel has abided by the resolutions concerning itself and Lebanon
Edited on Sun Jun-08-08 07:40 PM by oberliner
Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon was certified by the United Nations.

Hezbollah, on the other hand, continues to stand in violation of the relevant UN resolutions.

Excerpt from Security Council Resolution 1559 (of 2004):

Calls for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.

Security Council Resolutions 1680 and 1701 reiterate the call to implement Resolution 1559.

Excerpt from Security Council Resolution 1701:

Emphasizes the importance of the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) and resolution 1680 (2006), and of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so that there will be no weapons without the consent of the Government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the Government of Lebanon.

Hezbollah is required by international law to disband and disarm.

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justinsb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 08:29 PM
Response to Reply #4
8. I still hold that like the Bush Administration
Israel accepts or rejects UN resolutions based on convenience. I'm not saying that Israel isn't victimized, only that they also do some victimizing. Compliance with 242 would go a long way toward achieving peace throughout the region.
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oberliner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 08:40 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. Agreed
Israel ought to withdraw from the Occupied Territories and there should be a Palestinian state established.

That said, Hezbollah ought to disband and disarm regardless.

How can a country like Lebanon expect to function successfully when there is a militia group with more military strength than Lebanon's own army?
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justinsb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 09:20 PM
Response to Reply #9
10. I agree that they should disarm
but the whole thing is thorny. Hezbollah has alot of supporters in Lebanon. Perhaps once Iraq is settled everyone can meet for a REAL M.E. peace summit.
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aranthus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-09-08 06:17 PM
Response to Reply #8
14. So does every other country n/t
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aranthus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-09-08 06:18 PM
Response to Reply #8
15. Israel is in compliance with 242.
In fact, up until now, the only country not in compliance has been Syria.
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justinsb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-09-08 08:54 PM
Response to Reply #15
16. I think you're thinking of something else
242 Calls for Israeli withdrawal to the original borders.
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aranthus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-10-08 01:45 PM
Response to Reply #16
19. No it doesn't.
Here is what 242 says. It:

"1. Affirms that the fulfillment of Charter principles requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include the application of both the following principles:

(i) Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict;

(ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;"

242 calls for negotiations to end the state of war between Israel and the surrounding Arab states. It's a package deal. The Arabs end their belligernecy and the two sides reach a territorial compromise. The intent of 242 was never to force Israel to withdraw from anything until the Arabs ended their opposition to Israel's existence. That's one more reason that Israel is right to demand recognition of its right to exist from the Arabs before there is negotiation. 242 also calls for withdrawal from territories, not all territories. The point was to call for negotiation and compromise, something the Arabs haven't gotten to yet. Also, the territory claimed by Syria includes land that's on the other side of the international border between Syria and Palestine. That's land that Syria conquered in the 47-49 war and has never given back. The Israelis shouldn't have to withdraw from that, and they aren't going to.

So far, the Israelis have made peace and reached a territorial compromise with both Egypt and Jordan. The Israelis gave back all of the Sinai, and traded land with Jordan. Jordan also gave up its false claim to the West Bank. That's all that 242 requires as far as withdrawal from territory. When the Syrians get serious about making peace with Israel, then they can talk about getting their part of the Golan back.


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aranthus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-09-08 06:16 PM
Response to Reply #3
13. To the contrary.
It would help matters if people would deal with the real world instead of the world of UN resolutions. The UN is about propaganda, and peace can not be made that way.
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Fredda Weinberg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-08-08 07:53 PM
Response to Original message
6. The Palestinian label is meaningless. Gaza isn't the West Bank and
there never was unity. Let the past go and worry about the next generation.
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