UN General Assembly resolution 194 stated the right of return for Palestinians. Of course, being a general assemble resolution, it is not binding. It only reflects the "position" and "opinion" of the international community about the conflict. That's funny; a mere opinion obviously does not have as big of an impact as the UN had hoped.
So, is it my land, or is it David’s’ land who comes from Poland? Or Sara’s land who comes from Ethiopia? Is it Rachel’s? Michael’s? Jacobs? Is it true that they have a better, stronger relationship to the land than a person who was born there, raised there, whose great great great great great grandparents were born and raised there? Is it more their land than those who cultivated the land, watering it with their tears and sweat, working it with their own hands? Why is it that a person that has never stepped foot in the middle east, let alone Israel, whose parents never went there either, can claim his/her right of return based on their Jewish origins? “The old will die and the young will forget”, funny, that did not seem to happen to them, did it? Why should it happen to us? Why could-should- we forget while they still remember over 2000 years later?
Well, the old may have died, but the young still bears their anger and frustration, their hopes, dreams and stories and because of that, they won’t forget, they can not forget!
Another issue to ponder is the apartheid wall being built in Palestine. Yes, I said built IN Palestine, on Palestinian land, through Palestinian roads and farms. Why are people being caged in? Because Israel fears for its security. One of the most powerful states in today’s IR, one with nuclear weapons, one with the worlds' only superpower as its #1 ally fears for its safety. Ha! What an excuse! If that were truly the case, why did Israel not build its beloved "security fence" on its own land, caging its own people? Hell, why did it not even attempt to build it on the green line? Why did Sharon ignore the opinion of the International Court of justice when it gave its advisory opinion that the “fence” was illegal? Because international opinion does not matter. It does not have any impact, it is not threatening, and it sure is not binding.
International Public Law is a joke. It is something to be ashamed of. It exists for the simple reason of existence. It does not bind anyone –even though it claims it does-. Atrocities against humans and human rights abuses are happening everyday. Genocides are taking place; poverty, disease and hunger are spreading throughout the poorer countries. What good is international law to any of them? What good is the UN, ICC or even the United States? The land of the free and brave is getting ready to build its own apartheid wall. Who would have thought, the 21st century is here and instead of moving onwards and looking for peace, we are moving backwards and asking for war.
So, is it my land, or is it David’s’ land who comes from Poland? Or Sara’s land who comes from Ethiopia? Is it Rachel’s? Michael’s? Jacobs? Is it true that they have a better, stronger relationship to the land than a person who was born there, raised there, whose great great great great great grandparents were born and raised there? Is it more their land than those who cultivated the land, watering it with their tears and sweat, working it with their own hands? Why is it that a person that has never stepped foot in the middle east, let alone Israel, whose parents never went there either, can claim his/her right of return based on their Jewish origins? “The old will die and the young will forget”, funny, that did not seem to happen to them, did it? Why should it happen to us? Why could-should- we forget while they still remember over 2000 years later?
Well, the old may have died, but the young still bears their anger and frustration, their hopes, dreams and stories and because of that, they won’t forget, they can not forget!
Another issue to ponder is the apartheid wall being built in Palestine. Yes, I said built IN Palestine, on Palestinian land, through Palestinian roads and farms. Why are people being caged in? Because Israel fears for its security. One of the most powerful states in today’s IR, one with nuclear weapons, one with the worlds' only superpower as its #1 ally fears for its safety. Ha! What an excuse! If that were truly the case, why did Israel not build its beloved "security fence" on its own land, caging its own people? Hell, why did it not even attempt to build it on the green line? Why did Sharon ignore the opinion of the International Court of justice when it gave its advisory opinion that the “fence” was illegal? Because international opinion does not matter. It does not have any impact, it is not threatening, and it sure is not binding.
International Public Law is a joke. It is something to be ashamed of. It exists for the simple reason of existence. It does not bind anyone –even though it claims it does-. Atrocities against humans and human rights abuses are happening everyday. Genocides are taking place; poverty, disease and hunger are spreading throughout the poorer countries. What good is international law to any of them? What good is the UN, ICC or even the United States? The land of the free and brave is getting ready to build its own apartheid wall. Who would have thought, the 21st century is here and instead of moving onwards and looking for peace, we are moving backwards and asking for war.
