Title: Controversial Building Approval in East Jerusalem
Moving on with the controversial policies under Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli authorities have given the green light to construct 1738 new settler apartments in occupied East Jerusalem. This project, with its location sandwiched between Har Choma settlement and Givat Hamatos neighborhood, is a major cause of concern for Peace Now activists, who deem it "particularly problematic from a political perspective."
The construction's close proximity to the Palestinian territories, which some aspire to form a contiguous space between East Jerusalem and the West Bank, is seen as a significant provocation. In fact, in the absence of conflict, such a project could spark widespread backlash.
In the dynamic Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the issue of Jerusalem has always been a central point of contention. The Palestinians envision East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, while Israel views the entire Jerusalem as its inseparable capital. East Jerusalem, annexed by Israel following its occupation in 1967, is considered an illegal settlement under international law. More than 300,000 Palestinians and around 200,000 Israelis currently reside in East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip's radical Islamic group, Hamas, escalated tensions by launching an attack on October 7, resulting in Israel's declaration of a deliberate campaign aimed at Hamas. This was followed by numerous airstrikes on Gaza Strip, with Israeli ground forces also engaging in the coastal areas. After a brief lull in hostilities following the exchange of dozens of hostages, Hamas' actions provoked yet another eruption in conflict.
Additional Insights
International denunciations against Israel's approval of settler apartment construction in East Jerusalem, an area widely acknowledged as occupied and annexed, abound. The construction further fuels tensions in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These territories, including East Jerusalem, are viewed as contravening international law due to their classification as illegal settlements.
- International Law Prohibitions: The International Court of Justice has ruled that annexation of occupied territories is unlawful, and the Israeli government's attempt to acquire sovereignty over such territories violates the prohibition against using force in international relations and the non-acquisition of territory by force. Additionally, the attempt to force transfer populations from occupied territories is also a violation of international law, as established by the Fourth Geneva Convention, customary international humanitarian law, and the Rome Statute.
- Human Rights Organizations: Various human rights groups, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have consistently opposed Israel's policies in the occupied territories, condemning them for violating international laws against collective punishment, destruction of private property, and use of force against civilians.
- UN Resolutions: The UN Security Council has refused any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the illegality of such actions under international law. The UN General Assembly has also acknowledged the Israeli government's continual breaches of its obligations under the UN Charter and international law, strongly denouncing these actions and welcoming ICJ's advisory opinion on the matter.
- Peace Now's Standpoint: Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog, has criticized the Israeli government for advancing plans for nearly 1,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, stating that such expansion hinders the development of nearby Palestinian cities like Bethlehem and undermines the chances for peace.
In conclusion, the world community views Israel's approval of settler apartment construction in East Jerusalem as a blatant violation of international law. This perspective is upheld by various international organizations, UN resolutions, and ICJ advisory opinions.
