Israel pressured to end occupation
In the reading from 2 Samuel this Sunday, the Lord promises the people of Israel a secure place where they may dwell “without further disturbance.” The history of strife and territorial disputes between modern-day Israel . . .
In the reading from 2 Samuel this Sunday, the Lord promises the people of Israel a secure place where they may dwell “without further disturbance.” The history of strife and territorial disputes between modern-day Israel and its Palestinian neighbors paints a different scenario. This week, increasing pressure was brought on Israel in Europe and in the United Nations to cease building settlements in Palestinian territories it has occupied for nearly 50 years, and to cease its occupation of those territories by the year 2017.
In Geneva, the international community delivered a stinging rebuke to Israel's settlement construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, saying the practice violates Israel's responsibilities as an occupying power.
The declaration adopted by the conference of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which governs the rules of war and military occupation, emphasized a prohibition on colonizing occupied land and insisted that international humanitarian law be obeyed in areas affected by the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. It called for "all serious violations" to be investigated and those responsible for breaches to be brought to justice.
"This is a signal and we can hope that words count," said Swiss ambassador Paul Fivat, who chaired the one-day meeting. The U.S. and Israel did not take part.
Israel's U.N. Mission blasted the gathering, saying: "It confers legitimacy on terrorist organizations and dictatorial regimes wherever they are, while condemning a democratic country fighting terrorism in accordance with international law."
In New York, an Arab-backed draft resolution on ending Israel's occupation of lands captured in 1967 was submitted Wednesday evening to the U.N. Security Council for a possible vote, Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said.
However, Mansour said the Arab-backed resolution does not close the door on further negotiations on the issue, including with the United States, "if they are ready and willing." The U.S., as a permanent council member, often has vetoed measures targeting Israel in the past.
And Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki earlier said the actual vote might be put off, suggesting a compromise is in the works to avoid a clash in the council. The resolution also welcomes the idea of holding an international conference to launch negotiations on reaching a peace agreement.
Homily hint: Palestinians and Israelis alike must not allow the past to dictate the future; otherwise, the cycles of animosity and violence are doomed to continue. The same holds for our own lives, where past hurts can limit future health unless we find a way to let go of the past and move on.
In Geneva, the international community delivered a stinging rebuke to Israel's settlement construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, saying the practice violates Israel's responsibilities as an occupying power.
The declaration adopted by the conference of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which governs the rules of war and military occupation, emphasized a prohibition on colonizing occupied land and insisted that international humanitarian law be obeyed in areas affected by the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. It called for "all serious violations" to be investigated and those responsible for breaches to be brought to justice.
"This is a signal and we can hope that words count," said Swiss ambassador Paul Fivat, who chaired the one-day meeting. The U.S. and Israel did not take part.
Israel's U.N. Mission blasted the gathering, saying: "It confers legitimacy on terrorist organizations and dictatorial regimes wherever they are, while condemning a democratic country fighting terrorism in accordance with international law."
In New York, an Arab-backed draft resolution on ending Israel's occupation of lands captured in 1967 was submitted Wednesday evening to the U.N. Security Council for a possible vote, Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said.
However, Mansour said the Arab-backed resolution does not close the door on further negotiations on the issue, including with the United States, "if they are ready and willing." The U.S., as a permanent council member, often has vetoed measures targeting Israel in the past.
And Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki earlier said the actual vote might be put off, suggesting a compromise is in the works to avoid a clash in the council. The resolution also welcomes the idea of holding an international conference to launch negotiations on reaching a peace agreement.
Homily hint: Palestinians and Israelis alike must not allow the past to dictate the future; otherwise, the cycles of animosity and violence are doomed to continue. The same holds for our own lives, where past hurts can limit future health unless we find a way to let go of the past and move on.
Source: An article by the Associated Press