“When you read the history of Israel from objective sources, you discover that it is an outlaw state, created by the powers that be by stealing the land from its original inhabitants, and systematically exterminating them ever since,” John Kaminski.
In June 2010 – the Independent Jewish Voices (Canada) sent a research team to the Occupied Palestine to study the impact of Jewish occupation on the native Muslims and Christians. The team members were, Professor Trevor Purvis (Carleton University), Arthur Milner, Jewish plywriter and Sean Baron, a theology student at Saint Paul University. The team visited East Jerusalem, Israel and the West Bank during their 10-day visit to the Holy Land.
On February 1, 2011 – the three-member panel gave their views during a meeting sponsored in Ottawa by the Independent Jewish Voices (IJV).
When Sean Barron was asked if Israel has a right to exist, he replied, “No, it has only the right to coexist.”
Alan Hart was more blunt in his Novemer 2009 article, titled Israel’s Right To Exist? by saying: “The truth of the time was that the Zionist state, which came into being mainly as a consequence of pre-planned ethnic cleansing, had no right to exist and, more to the point, could have no right to exist UNLESS … Unless it was recognised and legitimized by those who were dispossessed of their land and their rights during the creation of the Zionist state. In international law only the Palestinians could give Israel the legitimacy it craved.
Professor Trevor Purvis discussed international law as it relates to the Palestinians and Israel. Under international law, it is illegal to acquire territory by force, whether the military action is offensive or defensive. Those living in occupied territory have the right to self-determination. International law also prohibits the transfer of populations to occupied territory. He noted that there are over half a million Jews who have been settled in the West Bank and Arab East Jerusalem. International law provides for the right of return, also binding on Israel.
Well, Purvis asked, playing devil’s advocate, why can’t the Palestinians concede some more land to gain peace with Israel? He pointed out that there are 2,345,000 West Bank Palestinians in 2,180 square miles. Gaza has 1.8 million in 140 square miles. East Jerusalem is 27 square miles. By comparison, Ottawa is 2,053.4 square miles and Prince Edward Island 2,194.57 square miles. Looking at those figures, Palestinians simply do not have that much more to give.
Milner commented on various things that they learned and encountered. They met a family driven from their home which was then occupied by Jews. Their house was taken from them, but they were still recognized as owning the land under it. He noted that Palestinians were being evicted not only for housing but also to create parks.
He showed a slide taken in Hebron. A metal mesh was placed over a walkway. Jews living in apartments above threw debris on Palestinians living at ground level. The screen was put up for protection. Another slide showed what had been the main market area in Hebron. The area was now completely empty, as the markets had been forced out.
In the West Bank, Milner commented, you can’t get away from settlements and outposts.
One of his slides showed the view from an Arab village, with settlements and outposts scattered around in the distance. He also showed the audience roads, which Palestinians can neither use nor cross. There are some tunnels underneath, but the combination of restricted roads, checkpoints, and passes “disrupt the daily lives of the Palestinians.” The separation wall, he added, is built on 75% of the occupied Palestinian territory.
Uprooted Palestinian
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