In explaining the misconceptions behind the Labor Party’s policy shift on Israel, Greg Sheridan reminds us the territories of the West Bank and Gaza were acquired through a defensive war against an unlawful occupant, Jordan, one of the Arab nations that had attacked Israel (“Labor takes left turn on Israel to avoid embarrassing clash”, 9/9). No distinct Palestinian entity existed.
The aspiration was for Palestinians to engage in negotiations for a two-state solution and, on multiple occasions, Israel extended substantial land-for-peace proposals. Regrettably, these overtures were consistently declined by the Palestinian leadership. Almost two decades ago, Israel withdrew from Gaza, only to be met with a surge of terrorism. Given the absence of a Palestinian state at present, comprehending what the ALP’s recognition might entail poses a challenge.
Sheridan astutely emphasises that if Israel were to relinquish the remaining territories, extremist elements would likely seize control, precipitating a wave of terror attacks and potentially culminating in further conflict and occupation.
John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW
Greg Sheridan correctly alluded to it, but the archaeological, political and historical truth is that the land Australia will now consider as illegally occupied by Israel has never been any sort of Palestinian state. Before Israel took control in 1967, the West Bank (or more correctly Judea and Samaria) was illegally occupied by Jordan and before that it was under a British Mandate. Before the British Mandate was the 500-year Ottoman Empire and before that was the Islamic state of the Mamluks of Egypt. No matter how far back you go, and allowing for the various occupying forces of history, this land has always had an ancient, and now modern, connection to the Jewish people. Even the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Judaism’s holiest site in the Jewish quarter of the Old City, has been designated occupied territory.
Alan Freedman, St Kilda East, Vic
Thank you Greg Sheridan for your informative article on the situation between Israel and Palestine as it stands today and the historical significance of Israel building settlements in the West Bank. During a visit to Israel late last century with a group of pilgrims we were fortunate to enter the West Bank area to visit Bethlehem and then endeavoured to travel to Jericho. Unfortunately the road to that city was blocked to us by the Palestinians. Our guide explained to us that there were several descriptions of what is called the West Bank (of the Jordan River). Those on the left of centre call it the West Bank; those on the left call it the occupied territories; those on the right of centre call it Judea/Samaria; those on the right call it the liberated territories. It all depends on your ideology.
Pat Cannard, Murrumba Downs, Qld
Greg Sheridan correctly raises the alarm with respect to Labor’s submission to the territorial demands of the Palestinian Authority. Some believe that the safety of Israel’s existence can be compromised to secure their political power and position. Israel’s long-term survival indicates an optimism for the ongoing successful freedom and prosperity of the entire region. Not a mechanism for Labor profiteers to gain cheap dominant political advantage.
Aviva Rothschild, Caulfield, Vic
It was an interesting opinion made by Greg Sheridan; however, he does not recognise the International Court of Justice, the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council or the EU’s ruling that the Palestinian Territories are “occupied territories”. In fact, up until 2009 the UN recognised the territories as occupied lands, thereafter from 2012 the UN started referring to them as the “State of Palestine”.
Rob Park, Surrey Hills, Vic
Read the letters in The Australian.