Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 23. März – 5. April 2008 1. Jüdische Siedlungen im Westjordanland Anfang März war in israelischen Medien von einem Deal zwischen dem Verteidigungsministerium und Vertretern der jüdischen Siedler im Westjordanland berichtet worden, demzufolge 18 Außenposten der Siedler aufgelöst und im Gegenzug neue Häuser in anderen, größeren Siedlungen gebaut werden würden. Premierminister Olmert bestätigte Ende des Monats den angestrebten Bau von neuen Wohneinheiten in Ostjerusalem und Givat Ze’ev. Außenposten sind indes noch nicht geräumt worden, auch wenn das Verteidigungsministerium ankündigte, eine Räumung werde bald beginnen. Die amerikanische Außenministerin Rice rief Israel dazu auf, die Siedlungserweiterungen einzustellen und betonte, dass diese nicht den Obligationen der Roadmap entspreche. Palästinenser hatten die Siedlungstätigkeiten zuvor als größtes Hindernis für den Friedensprozess bezeichnet. The folly at Givat Ze’ev “The admonition delivered to Israel by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice regarding its resumption of the construction of 750 housing units in Givat Ze'ev raises afresh the question of establishing or expanding Jewish settlements in territories generally considered to be Palestinian.[…] There are two separate questions relating to settlements. The first relates to their legality and rightfulness; the second to their desirability.[…] Settling Jews outside of Israel proper is- it is submitted- illegal in international law and is defective morally. The fourth Geneva Convention, which Israel has signed and ratified, prohibits such settlements.[…] In short, Israel, according to its basic laws, aspires to be both Jewish and democratic. Its outposts in the West Bank are Jewish, but not democratic. This is why this writer considers these settlements to be one of Israel's gravest errors- an error which led to a head-on collision with international law and with our friends overseas. But the second question is relevant even to Israelis who do not agree with my premises.[…] Is it desirable, from a viewpoint of purely Israeli self­interest, to flout international public opinion and disregard our friends' advice in order to establish settlements in which a small fraction of our population lives?[…] In order to survive, we must rely on the active help of others. It is folly to antagonize these others, and above all the US, in order to satisfy the religious and political wishes of a minority. Rice's admonition should be heard loud and clear in Jerusalem.” Amnon Rubinstein, JPO 25.03.08 Fooling ourselves "Had Peace Now not published reports from time to time, it is doubtful anyone would have been aware of the continuing construction in the settlements.[…] It is difficult to understand the point of the High Court's order to remove one mobile home at Har Bracha when the defense minister is approving the construction of 48 new homes in Ariel for settlers evacuated from Gush Katif.[…] The provocative construction in the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem is continuing full speed ahead, under the fraudulent heading of strengthening Jerusalem.[…] It appears there is no point at all in electing a government and formulating coalition guidelines because whether it is a government of the right or left, building in the settlements continues. Israel is continuing to work against itself, against its future, against any chance for the existence of two nation states side by side.[…] If there is any place forbidden for Israel to build even one more house, it is the West Bank, beyond the separation fence and anywhere it is clear to anyone with eyes to see that it is part of the Palestinian state. Such a state is an Israeli interest of the highest order. A new neighborhood in Ariel or Arab Jerusalem will not advance its establishment.” HAA 01.04.08 1