The settlements Regulation Bill…the ZFA has its say
The Zionist Federation of Australia has acknowledged widespread concern at the passage of the Regulation Law by Israel’s Knesset (Parliament).
Dr Danny Lamm
In a statement the ZFA have said following the passage of the Law many people have expressed doubts about Israel’s commitment to a negotiated resolution to the conflict.
The Law seeks to resolve disputes between Palestinian landowners and Israelis who settled in the territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War with Jordan and four other Arab nations. It does so by making provision for the compulsory acquisition of land on which some 4000 Israeli homes have been built and the payment of compensation in the form of an annual rental of 125 per cent of the land’s value as determined by an assessment committee for renewable periods of 20 years, or an alternate plot of land if this is possible.
Nevertheless, its passage is seen by many as a retrograde step in keeping alive any prospect of a negotiated peace and the realisation of long-standing Israeli commitment to the resolution of the conflict with the establishment of a peaceful Palestinian State.
The Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit was opposed to the passage of the Law and he and other Israeli legal experts have indicated their strong view that the Law breaches Israel’s Constitution in the form of its Basic Law and will not survive an anticipated challenge to Israel’s Supreme Court. The Attorney General has already said that he will not defend the Law in Court.
President of the ZFA Dr Danny Lamm said “Whatever else might be said about this issue, the principle barrier to a peaceful resolution is the Palestinian refusal to negotiate. Israel has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to trade land for peace even where established Israeli communities have been uprooted as a result. The ZFA is extremely proud of the system of checks and balances that operate within Israel’s thriving democracy which include strict adherence to the rule of law. Issues in the disputed territories remain to be solved in a way that is consistent with Israel and her neighbours living in peace and security and a negotiated permanent resolution to the conflict.”
Land for peace. Sounds good, but recent experience shows that it doesn’t actually happen. As in Gaza, the land goes, but peace does not follow.
It is assumed that the whole premise of land occupation by Jews is authenticated by Biblical authority. I believe that to be the case.
However, there is no mandate given in the Scriptures for Jews to do anything other than occupy and live in the land. And even that is conditional upon adherence to the covenants God made with Moses on behalf of the people.
Can anyone point to the authority Jews are given to actually TRADE the land for any purpose whatsoever. The Bible indicates the God of Israel to say that “The Land is MINE”. The Arabs, also a Semitic people, have land holdings hundreds of times the size of Israel, also granted by the same God.
The problem is that the Arab nations see themselves as perpetual victims, in almost every circumstance, and their hatred of the Jews precludes even the remotest possibility of an accommodation with Israel, land or no land, makes no difference
Well said Danny Lamm. But be prepared for a backlash from the Jewish hard right, who’ll probably label you a leftie and traitor to Israel.
This statement a little more balanced and nuanced than other communal statements.
No Mr Burd, Danny was critical of the hard right in the Knesset getting such a ridiculous law through, which won’t see the light of day; pretty safe call, if you ask me. But nuanced? What were the subtle messages? Or are you saying that Danny was being deceptive? Not everyone thrives on conspiracies like you.