- Dec 6, 2009
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Let’s address this
Instead of looking for reasons to demonize Israel, can we please have a real conversation about the real issues?
Fair enough. But discrimination is a valid issue and pretending it isn’t doesn’t help the conversation.
Discussing specifically, the small, isolated, Arab villages in Area C...
They are populated by people who are not citizens of Israel, but citizens of Palestine. Palestine is, by treaty, responsible for their welfare. But they live in an area controlled by Israel.
They tend to be economically and socially based in an agricultural society, mostly farmers and herders. They are being overtaken by urban growth.
They have a very different culture of land use and ownership than Israelis.
There are security concerns.
There are accessibility concerns.
There are community development plans which should be written.
There is infrastructure to be built.
If we are trying to solve problems, these are the topics we should be discussing.
Part of the problem, from what read is that the Palestinians in Area C are kind of in a no man's land situation - they aren't quite governed by Israel, but must submit to Israel's building authority, and they aren't quite governed by the PA who issue building permits only to have them torn down by Israel. In some cases cities straddle borders creating even more confusion as to jurisdiction and the ability to expand.
There have been potential partnerships between Israel and PA to try to increase housing but they get shot down by Israeli politicians not wanting to see resources spent on Palestinians or anything that gives any more land to Palestinian families. It's extremely political.
IMO (which will probably be shot down) - Israel should just annex Area C, offer the resident Palestinians citizenship, and then treat them as financially disadvantaged communities in need of resources and development and, maybe cultural protection for their agrarian lifestyle. Fund the necessary infrastructure to bring them up to par with their fellow citizens.
Indeed, the PA is not allowed to provide any services and Israel won't. Typically they do not have water or electricity. If they dig a well or build a cistern to collect rain water, Israel bulldozes them. If they install solar panels, Israel hauls them off. Permits are virtually impossible to get.Part of the problem, from what read is that the Palestinians in Area C are kind of in a no man's land situation
Israel's plan is to drive all of the Palestinians into the bantustans.