"Employment" Serving as a Coded Term
The term "occupation" has resurfaced in Israel's official discourse, with calls for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip, yet it is being used strategically to conceal a more devastating reality. This revival of the term is not without controversy, as it carries significant historical and legal implications.
Historical Context
The 1967 Six-Day War marked a turning point in Israel's relationship with the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Following the war, Israel occupied these territories, a situation that has persisted as the longest military occupation in modern history. Israel's control led to the establishment of numerous settlements in the West Bank, resulting in institutionalised discrimination against Palestinians. Despite Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the region remains under Israeli control in practice, with significant impacts on the local population.
Legal Significance
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel's occupation since 1967, including settlement activities and resource exploitation, is illegal under international law. The ICJ has also clarified that Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) violates Palestinian rights to self-determination. Legal scholars argue for a "functional approach" to occupation, suggesting that the occupying power's responsibilities are proportional to the level of control exercised. Despite Israel's disengagement from Gaza, it continues to exert control over key aspects of Gaza's life, such as borders and airspace.
Current Developments
Recent legal changes by the Netanyahu government aim to solidify Israel's control over the West Bank, accelerating de facto annexation policies. These actions are seen as violating international law and exacerbating Palestinian displacement and settler expansion. The ICJ and other international bodies continue to call for an end to Israel's occupation and the protection of Palestinian rights, highlighting the legal and moral urgency surrounding the occupation.
In a departure from recent rhetoric, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel's goal is not to occupy Gaza but to free it. However, the planned military operation, as explained, is not one of liberation but more accurately described as a campaign of expulsion or destruction. The term "occupation" serves as an instrument in the state's arsenal of euphemism and gaslighting, erasing the reality that Gaza has been under a form of occupation and blockade since the disengagement in 2005.
The planned operation, if executed, could uproot approximately one million people from their homes and force them southward, continuing a process of expulsion and destruction that has been ongoing for decades. The international community must remain vigilant and demand adherence to international law, upholding the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict.
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