The Demise of the Roadmap, Part II: Israeli Political Parties
Wednesday, July 02 2003 @ 03:18 PM GMT
By Brian Wood,
For PalestineChronicle.com
It is common to wonder why the latest diplomatic initiative to resolve the Zionist-Palestinian problem, called the Roadmap, was doused in blood shortly after its release.
The central interpretation of these events, like other initiatives, is that the extremists don’t want peace and whose only wish in life is to kill. Others see that the Palestinians really do want to drive the Israelis into the sea. Hamas specifically, but all Palestinian factions in general, are credited with the title “extremists” and increasingly, “terrorists.”
Below is another interpretation of events and their significance. Listed are quotes from the official sites of the Israeli political parties, or from sympathetic sources, with representation in the current government.
As the Roadmap has as its central goal the creation of a Palestinian state in undetermined areas West of the Jordan River and in the Gaza Strip, and the cessation of Israeli settlement construction, including ‘natural growth’, the following political platforms are essential, primary source material on both the creation of a Palestinian state and settlements in Gaza, West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Roadmap, Preface to Phase One: Palestinian Statehood: “Israeli leadership issues unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel.”(1)
Phase One: Settlements and Outposts: “Consistent with the Mitchell Report, GOI (Government of Israel) freezes all settlement activity (including natural growth of settlements).(2)
Likud party (3), (Including Yisrael Ba'Aliya(4) 40 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (5)
“The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river."
"The Jordan Valley and the territories that dominate it shall be under Israeli sovereignty. The Jordan river will be the permanent eastern border of the State of Israel."
"Jerusalem is the eternal, united capital of the State of Israel and only of Israel. . . . The Likud government will act with vigor to continue Jewish habitation and strengthen Israeli sovereignty in the eastern parts of [Jerusalem]."(6)
"The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria (7) and Gaza are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting."
National Religious Party (8), 6 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (9)
"There will only be one state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea – the State of Israel."
"Settlement in all parts of the Land of Israel is the realization of the Divine precept of the return of the nation from exile to its homeland. The N.R.P. supports, strengthens, and works actively on behalf of the settlements of Judea, Samaria, Gaza, the Golan (10) and the Jordan Valley, and the moshavim and kibbutzim."
National Union (Moledet, Yisrael Beitenu, Tkuma) (11), 7 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (12)
"'The National Union' pledges that another political entity will not rise between Jordan and the sea."
"Within the framework of any agreement, it is necessary to solve the Palestinian refugee problem-- refugees who have spent the past 55 years in refugee camps. The proposed solution is transfer (ethnic cleansing)."
"'The National Union' supports the continuity of settlement of all parts of Jerusalem in order to ensure the unity of the city. This will require transferring all government offices, organizations and public bodies to Jerusalem, ensuring free access to the holy places by every Jew, including the right to ascend, and pray on the Temple Mount."
"'The National Union' appreciates the security, economic, and social benefits of settling Israel, and will create a minister’s committee on settlement, which will oversee the founding and expansion of settlements throughout the land of Israel. Settlement and development must be ongoing in the Negev, Judea and Samaria, the Golan Heights, the Galil (Galilee), and the development towns."
"The State of Israel belongs to the Jewish people." (13)
Moledet (14), part of the National Union Party
"[Transfer](15) is, in fact, the very tool that is the key to peace in the Middle East."
"Acceptance of two countries for two people on two sides of the Jordan. The Jordanian/Palestinian state with Amman as its capital, and the Jewish state with Jerusalem as its capital."
"Today, Israel (including Judea, Samaria & Gaza) constitutes 24% of the area designated for the Jewish homeland. Jordan comprises [the other] 76%."
"Moledet ("homeland" in Hebrew) is an ideological political party in Israel that embraces the idea of population transfer as an integral part of comprehensive plan to achieve real peace between the Jews and the Arabs Living in the Land of Israel."
United Torah (16), 5 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (17)
Opposes negotiations with the Palestinians, the formation of a Palestinian state, and supports increasing settlements [between the Jordan and the Mediterranean].
Shinui (18), 15 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (19)
"As part of the peace arrangements, Israel will also have to leave settlements scattered in the heart of Palestinian populations, but Israel will not evacuate settlement blocs, and these will be integrated within Israel's borders. There are also large settlements, which will be subject to negotiation."
Meretz(20), 6 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (21)
"A comprehensive program to end the occupation: erecting an effective border fence, compensating settlers to move within adjusted 1967 frontiers."
Labor (22), 19 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (23)
"United Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, under Israeli sovereignty."
"Israel extends its sovereignty over areas that are major Jewish settlement blocs. . . . Existing settlements on the Golan will be strengthened."
"The Jordan river will be Israel's eastern security border and there will be no other army stationed to the west of it."
"The Labor Party recognizes the Palestinians' right to self-determination, and does not rule out in this connection the establishment of a Palestinian state with limited sovereignty."
"Jerusalem is, and will remain, the undivided capital of Israel and the Jewish people."
Shas (24), 11 of 120 seats in Parliament (25)
Party chairman Eli Yishai told Israeli daily Ma'ariv in November 2002, "I want everyone who is not Jewish not to be in this land. . . . Immigrants are coming who are gentiles, foreign workers are coming, and with the Arabs, they will make this state multicultural. The immigrants who are not Jewish come and build churches. They should stay in their own countries."
On Wednesday 25 June 2003 when Israeli-Arab MK Ahmed Tibi denounced the Israeli military killing of Sheik Saleh Shehada's wife and child in July of 2002, Tibi was ejected from the Parliamentary debate. Shas MK Nissim Ze'ev said it would take an assassination to get him off of the Parliament floor: "It will take an Apache [attack helicopter] to get him down." (26)
One Nation, 3 of 120 seats in Parliament (27)
Conclusion
Of all the parties listed, only Meretz is officially opposed to Israeli settlements built on Palestinian territory. Even the left-leaning party of Shinui, who implies favor towards limited Palestinian autonomy or even statehood built on isolated cantons, supports the settlements (most settlers live in what is called ‘settlement blocs’, which the Shinui party platform states they will not remove).
The majority of the members of the Israeli parliament, whether they are rooted in parties of the left, center, or right, are outright opposed to a Palestinian state. As is noted, some advocate openly for the expulsion of Palestinians from the lands between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
From the platforms listed above, it is clear that several Israeli parties elevate their own nationalism, culture, and rights above the nationalism, culture, and rights of the Palestinians. Little room is left for discussion or negotiation with Palestinians. The elevation of one’s own ethnic group over against another is a common problem in human history. It is called racism.
Any questions?
(1)http://www.un.org/media//main/roadmap122002.html, page 2
(2)Ibid., 4
(3) http://www.knesset.gov.il/elections/knesset15/elikud_m.htm
(4) http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/Elections2003/pp_yisraelbaliyah.html
(5) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=13
(6) There are approximately 200,000 Israeli settlers living in 10 major settlements in East Jerusalem. See "Israeli Settlement Policies in East Jerusalem, American Committee on Jerusalem, http://www.acj.org/articles/article.php?article_id=9
(7 )Judea and Samaria are place names designated by the Zionists. In public discourse, the common terminology for the two is the West Bank.
(8) http://www.mafdal.org.il/nconfigout.asp?psn=9
(9) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=3
(10) The Golan Heights is an area 1158 Square kilometers of land adjoining the Sea of Galilee to the east and circling north. It was taken by force from Syria in the war in 1967 and annexed by Israel in 1981. 18,000 Israeli settlers live on 33 settlements. See http://english.golan.org.il/golan/efacts.asp. Israeli Bureau of Central Statistics figures (2001) show nearly 16,000 Israeli settlers in 32 settlements. See http://www.cbs.gov.il/shnaton53/st02_08.pdf
(11) http://www.leumi.org.il/en/index.html
(12) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=107
(13) Approximately one in five holders of Israeli citizenship is Arab. See the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics http://www.cbs.gov.il/shnaton53/st02_01.pdf
(14) http://www.moledet.org/moledet.html
(15) "Transfer" is a Zionist euphemism for ethnic cleansing. See Expulsion of the Palestinians: The Concept of "Transfer" in Zionist Political Thought, 1882-1948. Nur Masalha. Washington: Institute of Palestine Studies, 1992
(16) http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Politics/UTJ.html
(17) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=8
(18) http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/Elections2003/pp_shinui.html
(19) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=32
(20) http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/Elections2003/pp_meretz.html
(21) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=4
(22) http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Politics/labor.html
(23) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=122
(24) http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/Elections2003/pp_shas.html. Shas does not have official positions on a Palestinian state or settlements. Their main concerns are Israeli society operating according to “Torah-Judaism” and the acquisition of government funds for their separate school system. As noted by the above quote, they tend towards a nationalistic ethno-centrism.
(25) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=2
(26) "Shas MK: Use Apache to get Tibi off Rostrum", Gideon Alon, Ha'aretz, 26 June 2003
(27) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=99. No further information available.
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Copyright © 2003 Palestine Chronicle. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners.
Disclaimer: Letters, articles, cartoons and other elements on the Commentary, Other Opinions and View pages do not necessarily reflect
the editorial position of the Palestine Chronicle, nor can the Chronicle be held accountable for these views.
The Demise of the Roadmap, Part II: Israeli Political Parties
Wednesday, July 02 2003 @ 03:18 PM GMT
By Brian Wood,
For PalestineChronicle.com
It is common to wonder why the latest diplomatic initiative to resolve the Zionist-Palestinian problem, called the Roadmap, was doused in blood shortly after its release.
The central interpretation of these events, like other initiatives, is that the extremists don’t want peace and whose only wish in life is to kill. Others see that the Palestinians really do want to drive the Israelis into the sea. Hamas specifically, but all Palestinian factions in general, are credited with the title “extremists” and increasingly, “terrorists.”
Below is another interpretation of events and their significance. Listed are quotes from the official sites of the Israeli political parties, or from sympathetic sources, with representation in the current government.
As the Roadmap has as its central goal the creation of a Palestinian state in undetermined areas West of the Jordan River and in the Gaza Strip, and the cessation of Israeli settlement construction, including ‘natural growth’, the following political platforms are essential, primary source material on both the creation of a Palestinian state and settlements in Gaza, West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Roadmap, Preface to Phase One: Palestinian Statehood: “Israeli leadership issues unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel.”(1)
Phase One: Settlements and Outposts: “Consistent with the Mitchell Report, GOI (Government of Israel) freezes all settlement activity (including natural growth of settlements).(2)
Likud party (3), (Including Yisrael Ba'Aliya(4) 40 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (5)
“The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river."
"The Jordan Valley and the territories that dominate it shall be under Israeli sovereignty. The Jordan river will be the permanent eastern border of the State of Israel."
"Jerusalem is the eternal, united capital of the State of Israel and only of Israel. . . . The Likud government will act with vigor to continue Jewish habitation and strengthen Israeli sovereignty in the eastern parts of [Jerusalem]."(6)
"The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria (7) and Gaza are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting."
National Religious Party (8), 6 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (9)
"There will only be one state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea – the State of Israel."
"Settlement in all parts of the Land of Israel is the realization of the Divine precept of the return of the nation from exile to its homeland. The N.R.P. supports, strengthens, and works actively on behalf of the settlements of Judea, Samaria, Gaza, the Golan (10) and the Jordan Valley, and the moshavim and kibbutzim."
National Union (Moledet, Yisrael Beitenu, Tkuma) (11), 7 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (12)
"'The National Union' pledges that another political entity will not rise between Jordan and the sea."
"Within the framework of any agreement, it is necessary to solve the Palestinian refugee problem-- refugees who have spent the past 55 years in refugee camps. The proposed solution is transfer (ethnic cleansing)."
"'The National Union' supports the continuity of settlement of all parts of Jerusalem in order to ensure the unity of the city. This will require transferring all government offices, organizations and public bodies to Jerusalem, ensuring free access to the holy places by every Jew, including the right to ascend, and pray on the Temple Mount."
"'The National Union' appreciates the security, economic, and social benefits of settling Israel, and will create a minister’s committee on settlement, which will oversee the founding and expansion of settlements throughout the land of Israel. Settlement and development must be ongoing in the Negev, Judea and Samaria, the Golan Heights, the Galil (Galilee), and the development towns."
"The State of Israel belongs to the Jewish people." (13)
Moledet (14), part of the National Union Party
"[Transfer](15) is, in fact, the very tool that is the key to peace in the Middle East."
"Acceptance of two countries for two people on two sides of the Jordan. The Jordanian/Palestinian state with Amman as its capital, and the Jewish state with Jerusalem as its capital."
"Today, Israel (including Judea, Samaria & Gaza) constitutes 24% of the area designated for the Jewish homeland. Jordan comprises [the other] 76%."
"Moledet ("homeland" in Hebrew) is an ideological political party in Israel that embraces the idea of population transfer as an integral part of comprehensive plan to achieve real peace between the Jews and the Arabs Living in the Land of Israel."
United Torah (16), 5 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (17)
Opposes negotiations with the Palestinians, the formation of a Palestinian state, and supports increasing settlements [between the Jordan and the Mediterranean].
Shinui (18), 15 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (19)
"As part of the peace arrangements, Israel will also have to leave settlements scattered in the heart of Palestinian populations, but Israel will not evacuate settlement blocs, and these will be integrated within Israel's borders. There are also large settlements, which will be subject to negotiation."
Meretz(20), 6 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (21)
"A comprehensive program to end the occupation: erecting an effective border fence, compensating settlers to move within adjusted 1967 frontiers."
Labor (22), 19 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament (23)
"United Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, under Israeli sovereignty."
"Israel extends its sovereignty over areas that are major Jewish settlement blocs. . . . Existing settlements on the Golan will be strengthened."
"The Jordan river will be Israel's eastern security border and there will be no other army stationed to the west of it."
"The Labor Party recognizes the Palestinians' right to self-determination, and does not rule out in this connection the establishment of a Palestinian state with limited sovereignty."
"Jerusalem is, and will remain, the undivided capital of Israel and the Jewish people."
Shas (24), 11 of 120 seats in Parliament (25)
Party chairman Eli Yishai told Israeli daily Ma'ariv in November 2002, "I want everyone who is not Jewish not to be in this land. . . . Immigrants are coming who are gentiles, foreign workers are coming, and with the Arabs, they will make this state multicultural. The immigrants who are not Jewish come and build churches. They should stay in their own countries."
On Wednesday 25 June 2003 when Israeli-Arab MK Ahmed Tibi denounced the Israeli military killing of Sheik Saleh Shehada's wife and child in July of 2002, Tibi was ejected from the Parliamentary debate. Shas MK Nissim Ze'ev said it would take an assassination to get him off of the Parliament floor: "It will take an Apache [attack helicopter] to get him down." (26)
One Nation, 3 of 120 seats in Parliament (27)
Conclusion
Of all the parties listed, only Meretz is officially opposed to Israeli settlements built on Palestinian territory. Even the left-leaning party of Shinui, who implies favor towards limited Palestinian autonomy or even statehood built on isolated cantons, supports the settlements (most settlers live in what is called ‘settlement blocs’, which the Shinui party platform states they will not remove).
The majority of the members of the Israeli parliament, whether they are rooted in parties of the left, center, or right, are outright opposed to a Palestinian state. As is noted, some advocate openly for the expulsion of Palestinians from the lands between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
From the platforms listed above, it is clear that several Israeli parties elevate their own nationalism, culture, and rights above the nationalism, culture, and rights of the Palestinians. Little room is left for discussion or negotiation with Palestinians. The elevation of one’s own ethnic group over against another is a common problem in human history. It is called racism.
Any questions?
(1)http://www.un.org/media//main/roadmap122002.html, page 2
(2)Ibid., 4
(3) http://www.knesset.gov.il/elections/knesset15/elikud_m.htm
(4) http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/Elections2003/pp_yisraelbaliyah.html
(5) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=13
(6) There are approximately 200,000 Israeli settlers living in 10 major settlements in East Jerusalem. See "Israeli Settlement Policies in East Jerusalem, American Committee on Jerusalem, http://www.acj.org/articles/article.php?article_id=9
(7 )Judea and Samaria are place names designated by the Zionists. In public discourse, the common terminology for the two is the West Bank.
(8) http://www.mafdal.org.il/nconfigout.asp?psn=9
(9) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=3
(10) The Golan Heights is an area 1158 Square kilometers of land adjoining the Sea of Galilee to the east and circling north. It was taken by force from Syria in the war in 1967 and annexed by Israel in 1981. 18,000 Israeli settlers live on 33 settlements. See http://english.golan.org.il/golan/efacts.asp. Israeli Bureau of Central Statistics figures (2001) show nearly 16,000 Israeli settlers in 32 settlements. See http://www.cbs.gov.il/shnaton53/st02_08.pdf
(11) http://www.leumi.org.il/en/index.html
(12) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=107
(13) Approximately one in five holders of Israeli citizenship is Arab. See the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics http://www.cbs.gov.il/shnaton53/st02_01.pdf
(14) http://www.moledet.org/moledet.html
(15) "Transfer" is a Zionist euphemism for ethnic cleansing. See Expulsion of the Palestinians: The Concept of "Transfer" in Zionist Political Thought, 1882-1948. Nur Masalha. Washington: Institute of Palestine Studies, 1992
(16) http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Politics/UTJ.html
(17) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=8
(18) http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/Elections2003/pp_shinui.html
(19) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=32
(20) http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/Elections2003/pp_meretz.html
(21) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=4
(22) http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Politics/labor.html
(23) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=122
(24) http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/Elections2003/pp_shas.html. Shas does not have official positions on a Palestinian state or settlements. Their main concerns are Israeli society operating according to “Torah-Judaism” and the acquisition of government funds for their separate school system. As noted by the above quote, they tend towards a nationalistic ethno-centrism.
(25) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=2
(26) "Shas MK: Use Apache to get Tibi off Rostrum", Gideon Alon, Ha'aretz, 26 June 2003
(27) http://www.knesset.gov.il/parties/eng/sia_eng.asp?partyid=99. No further information available.
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Copyright © 2003 Palestine Chronicle. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners.
Disclaimer: Letters, articles, cartoons and other elements on the Commentary, Other Opinions and View pages do not necessarily reflect
the editorial position of the Palestine Chronicle, nor can the Chronicle be held accountable for these views.
