Israel’s illegal settlements breach international law

Monique Walsh (Letters, Nov 5) illustrates the value of factual, rational debate, but only because her response is a series of omissions and gross misrepresentation.

One such omission is her failure to explain the administrative division, which split the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C, under the Oslo Accords. Oslo was an interim scenario leading to progressive devolution of land from Area C (Full Israeli control) to Areas A and B (Palestinian Control).

Eighteen years on, and the reality is untenable for the 180,000 Palestinians (5.8%, as opposed to 4%) who, thanks to a Kafkaesque permit system (in place by military edict), cannot access 80% of Area C.

Numbers distort reality; in addition to illegal settlements (2% of land), there are ‘security zones’ around the settlements 10%), and 30% consists of IDF ‘firing zones.’

Settlements are placed such that Israel controls the water, international borders, and territorial continuity of the West Bank.

Palestinians have no ‘autonomy’, no matter how flexible the definition.

Ms Walsh should read the IFA’s own record on the 1967 war, where then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin stated that Nasser of Egypt wasn’t really “about to attack us”.

By depicting Arabs as genocidal fanatics determined to “wipe out Israel,” Ms Walsh invokes a racist stereotype that vilifies and dehumanise Arabs.

The difference between Jews living somewhere and Israeli citizens acting as extensions of the occupying power is not apparent to Ms Walsh, as she manufactures a non-existent discrimination against Jews when the distinction isn’t on ethnic grounds.

International law is clear: “The occupying power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.” — Article 49, 4th Geneva Convention.

Employment of Palestinians in illegal settlements highlights the extent of Israel’s exploitation of a captive workforce and economy.

Note that, according to the World Bank, the inability of Palestinians to consistently access agricultural land in Area C has resulted in the loss of $480m annually and around 110,000 jobs.

Israel should remove illegal settlements, end the occupation, and adhere to its obligations under Oslo and international law.

Gary Spedding

Founder, QUB Palestine Solidarity Society

Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union

Belfast