Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Israel proposes payment for homes razed in Gaza Strip
Israel intends to offer compensation to the owners of hundreds of homes along the Philadelphi route, on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, if the buildings are damaged in the framework of the Israel Defense Forces' operation to broaden the road. The IDF operation is aimed at increasing security and preventing the smuggling of weapons and other military material into the Strip through tunnels from Sinai.
The proposal, which also includes compensation for homes that were not populated, was raised during talks between IDF officers and Attorney General Menachem Mazuz about the legal repercussions of the Philadelphi expansion plan.
The idea of compensation entails a significant shift in the approach of the IDF, which for years has razed Palestinian homes along the Philadelphi route as part of ongoing operations. Many of the homes were destroyed after their owners vacated them, fearing the fighting that took place nearby.
The IDF is now proposing that compensation be paid to the owners of the homes, even if they were vacant, as long as they can prove ownership. The proposal is being backed by both Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon.
It appears that at least part of the motivation for the compensation offer stems from the negative image that the razing of the homes has caused internationally, and specifically in the United States, where uncharacteristic criticism was directed against this practice during recent IDF operations in the southern Gaza Strip.
The plan to broaden the Philadelphi route by demolishing homes along the length of it is not a new one, and was not part of the current, ongoing Operation Rainbow in the southern Gaza Strip. On the other hand, the proposal is an indication that the IDF has not given up on its plan to maintain control of the Philadelphi route and broaden it.
On the basis of aerial photographs, the broadening of the Philadelphi route by 200 meters will result in the destruction of about 700 Palestinian homes, most of them empty, abandoned by their owners as a result of the fighting in the area in the past three years. If the IDF decides to broaden the route by 300 meters, the number of homes slated for destruction will jump to 2,000, and perhaps more.
The discussion over the compensation did not detail the sums involved, but it was understood that the owner of the razed homes would be offered enough to rebuild their residences elsewhere.
There still remain administrative complications with the compensation proposal because it is doubtful that the Palestinian Authority will allow Palestinians to negotiate directly with the Israeli authorities.
The plan to compensate Palestinians is also not expected to find great support in Egypt, which will interpret the act as an entrenchment of Israel's hold of the road along its border with the Gaza Strip.
On the other hand, the proposal is a significant change from the unilateral approach that the IDF has maintained during its operations in the Gaza Strip
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/430588.html
The idea of compensation entails a significant shift in the approach of the IDF, which for years has razed Palestinian homes along the Philadelphi route as part of ongoing operations. Many of the homes were destroyed after their owners vacated them, fearing the fighting that took place nearby.
The IDF is now proposing that compensation be paid to the owners of the homes, even if they were vacant, as long as they can prove ownership. The proposal is being backed by both Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon.
It appears that at least part of the motivation for the compensation offer stems from the negative image that the razing of the homes has caused internationally, and specifically in the United States, where uncharacteristic criticism was directed against this practice during recent IDF operations in the southern Gaza Strip.
The plan to broaden the Philadelphi route by demolishing homes along the length of it is not a new one, and was not part of the current, ongoing Operation Rainbow in the southern Gaza Strip. On the other hand, the proposal is an indication that the IDF has not given up on its plan to maintain control of the Philadelphi route and broaden it.
On the basis of aerial photographs, the broadening of the Philadelphi route by 200 meters will result in the destruction of about 700 Palestinian homes, most of them empty, abandoned by their owners as a result of the fighting in the area in the past three years. If the IDF decides to broaden the route by 300 meters, the number of homes slated for destruction will jump to 2,000, and perhaps more.
The discussion over the compensation did not detail the sums involved, but it was understood that the owner of the razed homes would be offered enough to rebuild their residences elsewhere.
There still remain administrative complications with the compensation proposal because it is doubtful that the Palestinian Authority will allow Palestinians to negotiate directly with the Israeli authorities.
The plan to compensate Palestinians is also not expected to find great support in Egypt, which will interpret the act as an entrenchment of Israel's hold of the road along its border with the Gaza Strip.
On the other hand, the proposal is a significant change from the unilateral approach that the IDF has maintained during its operations in the Gaza Strip
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/430588.html
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
Israel to pay reparations to Palestinians?
Yeah, right!
This and the bullshit above about Palestinians getting weapons from Egypt is just propaganda aimed at Westerners as a form of damage control for the state of Israel.
Even if Palestinians are getting weapons from Egypt (and there is no evidence they are unless you consider Zionist repitition of the claim as evidence), they would have every right to do so. Palestinians have a right to defend themselves against invaders even if those invaders are Zionists.
Let's not forget that the murder of Rachel Corrie was also justified by these same Zionists with the same magic words about "tunnels" and "weapons smuggling", etc.
Yeah, right!
This and the bullshit above about Palestinians getting weapons from Egypt is just propaganda aimed at Westerners as a form of damage control for the state of Israel.
Even if Palestinians are getting weapons from Egypt (and there is no evidence they are unless you consider Zionist repitition of the claim as evidence), they would have every right to do so. Palestinians have a right to defend themselves against invaders even if those invaders are Zionists.
Let's not forget that the murder of Rachel Corrie was also justified by these same Zionists with the same magic words about "tunnels" and "weapons smuggling", etc.
Compensation, not "reparations".
Hadn't you noticed that the Israeli courts have not been allowing confiscations of property IF a suit is filed? That's part of the politics of the situation. In effect, Palestinians unwilling to recognize the legitimate existence of Israel (in Israel as opposed to the occupied territories) are at a disadvantage --- if they don't recognize the Israeli court system they can't use it. Just like here, if the state takes your property they have to pay you for it -- IF you file suit objecting to "confiscation".
And yes my friend, the Palestinains most certainly have the right to obtain arms any way they can and attempt to drive the Israelis out by force. Just like the Israelis have the right to kill them if they do. Humans have always assumed the right to settle their differences by violence and war. Which is why...........
I want to see the Israelis get the hell out of the occupying business. Evacuate the "settlers", tear down those settlements, and allow the Palestinians to form their state and live in peace with Israel IF THEY CAN. You see, the Palestinians STILL will have the "right" to choose war with Israel and the israelis the right to kill them if they do.
Hadn't you noticed that the Israeli courts have not been allowing confiscations of property IF a suit is filed? That's part of the politics of the situation. In effect, Palestinians unwilling to recognize the legitimate existence of Israel (in Israel as opposed to the occupied territories) are at a disadvantage --- if they don't recognize the Israeli court system they can't use it. Just like here, if the state takes your property they have to pay you for it -- IF you file suit objecting to "confiscation".
And yes my friend, the Palestinains most certainly have the right to obtain arms any way they can and attempt to drive the Israelis out by force. Just like the Israelis have the right to kill them if they do. Humans have always assumed the right to settle their differences by violence and war. Which is why...........
I want to see the Israelis get the hell out of the occupying business. Evacuate the "settlers", tear down those settlements, and allow the Palestinians to form their state and live in peace with Israel IF THEY CAN. You see, the Palestinians STILL will have the "right" to choose war with Israel and the israelis the right to kill them if they do.
>>>>Even if Palestinians are getting weapons from Egypt (and there is no evidence they are unless you consider Zionist repitition of the claim as evidence), they would have every right to do so. Palestinians have a right to defend themselves against invaders even if those invaders are Zionists.
Let's not forget that the murder of Rachel Corrie was also justified by these same Zionists with the same magic words about "tunnels" and "weapons smuggling", etc.<<<<Above comment>
Israel is demolishing hundreds of homes in Gaza because they say there are tunnels from Egypt to those homes. The question: Since any tunnels must cross the Egypt-Gaza border, why do hundreds of homes have to be destroyed to find them and stop their use? All Israel has to do is dig a trench, as deep as they want, right along the border. They will find every tunnel. There was never a need to destroy a single home.
Let's not forget that the murder of Rachel Corrie was also justified by these same Zionists with the same magic words about "tunnels" and "weapons smuggling", etc.<<<<Above comment>
Israel is demolishing hundreds of homes in Gaza because they say there are tunnels from Egypt to those homes. The question: Since any tunnels must cross the Egypt-Gaza border, why do hundreds of homes have to be destroyed to find them and stop their use? All Israel has to do is dig a trench, as deep as they want, right along the border. They will find every tunnel. There was never a need to destroy a single home.
>"You see, the Palestinians STILL will have the "right" to choose war with Israel and the israelis the right to kill them if they do."
And, I suppose you can add to that that you have the right to give the Israelis weapons.
Israelis confiscate Palestinian land at will -- lawsuit or not.
Israel has no right to exist as a Jewish state just as South Africa had no right to exist as a White State. Both are equally illegitimate. Israel must become a country for all its people with EQUALITY under the law for all -- not just superior rights for Jews.
A two-state solution will not work because there are 1.2 million Christian and Muslim Palestinians within Israel who are discriminated against and routinely have their homes and land confiscated by Israel for use by Jews and Jews only. A two-state solution would not grant them equality with their Jewish citizens under the law. Equality for all under the law would give these people (the native inhabitants of the land) justice.
I don't agree with your assessment that Palestinians cannot live without attacking Israelis. I think it is the other way around. Even the militants there (including Hamas) have stated they are willing to stop attacking Israelis if Israel leaves them alone, but Israel is unwilling to do that.
Also, the mentality that the victims are going to attack their masters is reminiscent of South Africa where the whites there said they would be overrun by the barbaric hordes if they gave blacks equal rights. Fear mongering is a common racist tactic. The fact is, Palestinians have far more to fear from continued Israeli invasion and devestation than the other way around. In the South Africa example, only the racists excepted the idea that whites needed to defend themselves from their neighbors. Ironically, it is both conservatives and liberals in this country who espouse the BS that you muttered about how the Palestinians just won't leave poor little Israel alone -- which is complete propaganda based on decades of ignoring Arab civilian deaths while focusing solely on Israeli casualties as in this example:
"...the Palestinian terrorist attack at Ma’alot in May 1974 where 20 teenage youth were killed, was preceded by weeks of sustained Israeli phosphorous and napalm bombing of Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon resulting in the deaths of more than 300 people. Just two days before Ma’alot, an Israeli air attack on the village of El-Kfeir in Lebanon had killed four civilians."
-http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/feb2002/sab-f22.shtml
There are many more examples of things like this where Arabs die in the hundreds at the hands of Israel (and ignored in the US media) and then finally retaliate killing Israelis and this is drummed up in the US media to demonize them.
And, I suppose you can add to that that you have the right to give the Israelis weapons.
Israelis confiscate Palestinian land at will -- lawsuit or not.
Israel has no right to exist as a Jewish state just as South Africa had no right to exist as a White State. Both are equally illegitimate. Israel must become a country for all its people with EQUALITY under the law for all -- not just superior rights for Jews.
A two-state solution will not work because there are 1.2 million Christian and Muslim Palestinians within Israel who are discriminated against and routinely have their homes and land confiscated by Israel for use by Jews and Jews only. A two-state solution would not grant them equality with their Jewish citizens under the law. Equality for all under the law would give these people (the native inhabitants of the land) justice.
I don't agree with your assessment that Palestinians cannot live without attacking Israelis. I think it is the other way around. Even the militants there (including Hamas) have stated they are willing to stop attacking Israelis if Israel leaves them alone, but Israel is unwilling to do that.
Also, the mentality that the victims are going to attack their masters is reminiscent of South Africa where the whites there said they would be overrun by the barbaric hordes if they gave blacks equal rights. Fear mongering is a common racist tactic. The fact is, Palestinians have far more to fear from continued Israeli invasion and devestation than the other way around. In the South Africa example, only the racists excepted the idea that whites needed to defend themselves from their neighbors. Ironically, it is both conservatives and liberals in this country who espouse the BS that you muttered about how the Palestinians just won't leave poor little Israel alone -- which is complete propaganda based on decades of ignoring Arab civilian deaths while focusing solely on Israeli casualties as in this example:
"...the Palestinian terrorist attack at Ma’alot in May 1974 where 20 teenage youth were killed, was preceded by weeks of sustained Israeli phosphorous and napalm bombing of Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon resulting in the deaths of more than 300 people. Just two days before Ma’alot, an Israeli air attack on the village of El-Kfeir in Lebanon had killed four civilians."
-http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/feb2002/sab-f22.shtml
There are many more examples of things like this where Arabs die in the hundreds at the hands of Israel (and ignored in the US media) and then finally retaliate killing Israelis and this is drummed up in the US media to demonize them.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$135.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network