Phoenall, et al,
Well, actually --- the Lydda and Ramle Event (July 1948) did happen in the broader context of the May 1948 War of Independence against the aggressor initiated action of the Combined Arms Force of the Arab League.
They were innocent civillians and they were massacred by the IDF as part of a deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing.
So, you are putting forth the argument that the events in Lydda in 1948 happened outside the context of war and that there was no military value to the town and that
not a single military action was taken by any of the residents of the town.
Really? That's what you are going with?
Dont confuse him with the TRUTH or he will have to resort to claiming it is zionist propaganda or hasbara lies just to stop his shakes and terrible nightmares.
(COMMENT)
There are all kinds of perspectives to that particular event and other multiple events of a similar character.
• Those only interested in the event for its political exploitation value as Anti-Israeli Propaganda, do not see it as anything other than "ethnic cleansing."
Potential Aspects:
• They do not recognize the action, as a matter of internal defense and rear area protection, a countermeasure to threats against sabotage, subversion and espionage.
• Protecting lines of communication and supply routes.
• Protection against insurgent action and covert action (stay behind mode).
This is a "damned if you do and damned if you don't" battlefield obligation. Israel, as a party to the conflict, MUST to the extent feasible, remove civilian persons and objects under its control from the vicinity of military objectives. While many, many many pro-Arab-League aggression, want to paint this event (and other events like it) as illegal and against international humanitarian law, the practice of this rule as a norm of customary international law applicable in international, and arguably also in non-international, armed conflicts, is well established.
Most pro-Arab League aggression defenders, want to suggest something else entirely; --- by citing Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention: Deportations, Transfers and Evacuations. They rarely if ever cite (if ever) the exception:
"Nevertheless, the Occupying Power may undertake total or partial evacuation of a given area if the security of the population or imperative military reasons so demand." But event the ICRC recognizes that this practice does not violate the prohibition of the forcible displacement of a civilian population --- because the recognized exception is when "security" considerations. In these contemporary times, International Law articulates this idea in part as Article 58(a) of Protocol 1.
Article 58 [ Link ] -- Precautions against the effects of attacks
The Parties to the conflict shall, to the maximum extent feasible:
(a) without prejudice to
Article 49 [ Link ] of the Fourth Convention, endeavour to remove the civilian population, individual civilians and civilian objects under their control from the vicinity of military objectives;
(b) avoid locating military objectives within or near densely populated areas;
(c) take the other necessary precautions to protect the civilian population, individual civilians and civilian objects under their control against the dangers resulting from military operations.
As you can see, there are more reasons to effect the evacuation than not.
The principle purpose of the anti-Israeli movement to continuously bring this type of complaint, is because they want to attempt to convince the reader that there is absolutely on other interpretation, reasoning or law, that can be applied. This is a type of selective hearing, wherein they see only what they want to see; that which is favorable to them --- but, unfavorable to the Israelis.
Most Respectfully,
R