Business as usual at the UN - but US public opinion on Israel is shifting

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/articles/debate/16127-business-as-usual-at-the-un-but-us-public-opinion-on-israel-is-shifting

Speaking to the Security Council on Tuesday shortly after voting against the doomed Palestinian-drafted resolution on statehood, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power referred three times to an "unsustainable status quo" between Israel and the Palestinians.

It is of course Washington itself that bears most responsibility for this status quo, through its diplomatic, military, and economic support for the occupier, and leadership of a decades-long 'peace process' that has given Israel the cover to de facto annex its way to a permanent occupation.

There is another 'status quo', however, that is already shifting: U.S. public opinion. In a poll conducted last November for the Brookings Institution, when asked about their preferred solution to the conflict, 34% of Americans said their government should push for one state with equal citizenship. That was up from 24% a year previously, a significant difference.

Among those who support two states, 66% of them said they would support one state if two states were not possible. In addition: "If a two-state solution is not possible, 71% of Americans (84% of Democrats, 60% of Republicans) favour a single democratic state with Arabs and Jews as equal over a one in which Israel's Jewish majority is sustained and Palestinians will not have equal citizenship."

Israel, if it continues with the practice of apartheid, will find itself alone and branded as a rogue state. That's not the future I would want for my country if i was an Israeli citizen.

[The Shredder]

1. Posting from yet another dubious source (as in BDS movement sources)

Once again, I told you Israel is NOT apartheid.

Israeli Arabs enjoy full citizenship and rights as any other Israelis.

They still don't understand what apartheid means, and neither do you, Mr. Olivaw.

Would you care to interpret your definition of apartheid in Israel and please do provide proof - I've provided several links to the myth of apartheid and Israel.

Why can't you just back it up with facts, instead of trying to bully other people to accept your views (and you're not exactly winning hearts and minds with your fact-free assertations)

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

2. You're so funny when you appear out of your depth.

You posted schlock articles before, IMHO, and I have said as much.

But keep up with your mythology of pure, welcoming Israel.

[The Shredder]

3. Posting yet another fact free response to me. I asked for proof. You refused.

Israel is not perfect. I don't even like the Likudniks, and I want peace, but not at the expense of endangering Israel's right to exist.

When was the last free and fair Presidential elections in Palestine? Seems to be a long time.....

Wonder why.....

Oh I know! There's also major problems with Palestine. They aren't perfect either. Even you have to admit there are issues too. Funny to see Israel planning a March elections because the coalition collapsed and polls are showing that Likudniks are getting unpopular, Yisroel Beitenu aren't faring too well, with all the scandal inside their party, and Labor and Hatunah are getting a chance to win the hearts and minds of Israel, and willing to extend the hand of peace to the Palestinians, and give them their state, but there has to be several concessions from the other side too.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

5. "Israel is not perfect." Neither was South Africa under Apartheid.

...and I want peace, but not at the expense of endangering Israel's right to exist.

I don't pretend that 500k illegal Israeli colonists make Israel safe. In fact that is oe of the Problems that Israel needs to address, and its use of Apartheid to keep the Palestinian, and Bedouin population down MUST end.


Enjoy your fantasies, though. We are all entitled to them I guess.

[The Shredder]

7. Again, why do you think Palestinians are Israelis?

They aren't.

Apartheid does not exist - for Israeli Arabs.

Just ask any of the Israeli Arabs if they enjoy the same full rights as any other Israelis.

Palestinian Arabs != Israeli Arabs

Please drop the concept of apartheid because it doesn't EXIST - you're just listening to propaganda from Hamas and BDS sources.

I suggest you check your facts completely and thoroughly. I did -- I know you didn't.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

10. "Apartheid does not exist - for Israeli Arabs."

Your overt racism is showing.

They're Palestinians. It is Israel, and its cheerleaders, that attempt to de-legitimize Palestinians by calling them Arabs.

That would be like calling the French, English, Irish, Italians, etc. just Europeans to de-legitimize their being. It is very easy to dehumanize a group of people by doing that, now isn't it?

"Apartheid does not exist - for Israeli Arabs."

I really pity your warped perspective, and I have a feeling that your mindset would have been welcome in the American South back in the 50s.

[shira]

18. Who says "Israeli Arabs" is an attempt to delegitimize most of Israel's non-Jews? n/t

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

20. Your views would really be welcome in the Ole South.

Do you guys even think before you hit the post button?

[shira]

22. So this is another one of your very own "definishins"....

...that no one else on earth recognizes except for yourself.

======

Israeli Arabs is derogatory.

The Al Aqsa Mount.

Mentioning Lebanese Apartheid vs. Palestinians is an example of Israeli apartheid.



Got anymore LoL's to share with us today?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

39. Nope, but you just showed once again that you are the the kind of individual that seems like

the would be happier living in a not so distant time in the Ole South that thought similar things of another people.

Same shit goes on today under the pretense of police action.

On, second thought you might be comfortable in the Ole South of today as well.


This is only my opinion, of course.

[King_David]

38. That is totally laughable ....LOL

'Israeli Arab ' is a derogatory term ? or R. Daneel Olivaw is now going to tell the Israeli Arabs what they should be offended at ?

LOL

You should shout that out on the Al Aqsa mount (aka The temple mount to every single person in the world who is not R. Daneel Olivaw)

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

40. Before Israel was a state it was known as Palestine.

Keep laughing.

[King_David]

43. And so what ? Now YOU decided that "Israeli Arab"

Is a derogatory term ?

My advice is that you should not get into the "viral video" business.



The "Al Aqsa Mount" invention of YOURS never took off either.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

44. Keep on laughing, dave.

For the Israeli people to deny Palestinians their own ethnicity is pretty bigoted of them.

And I'll quote you.

And so what ?

Way down South in the fields of cotton...

[King_David]

46. Yes and so what?

This your own personal cause?

The labeling of "Israeli Arab" a derogatory term.

I'll keep laughing because it's as ridiculous as being the single lone person in the world to name the Temple Mount the "Al Aqsa mount"

LOL

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

48. I just love your indifference. It's an easy tell.

I just wonder how one like yourself would feel if that mirror of indifference was turned back on you.

Would you be laughing then? I think not.


Thanks for the tell...as well as the kick.

[King_David]

49. Actually you seem to be mixing yourself individually with the Palestinian people as a whole .

You yourself are not the Palestinian people and nor are you a spokesman for them or a representative of them.

That's best remembered.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

62. Actually let's look at your next tell: changing the subject.

Last edited Thu Jan 8, 2015, 09:20 PM - Edit history (1)

you show, IMHO, complete indifference to the Palestinians.

And so what?

And when that is pointed out twice in this thread you try to change the subject to some form of bankrupt judgment on your part.

You yourself are not the Palestinian people and nor are you a spokesman for them or a representative of them.

You sir are not a block of wood, but I might actually find quite a few of them that have better insights than what I see coming from you...IMHO.

[King_David]

64. So your now insulting a fellow DUr in a very big way?

You are calling me a sub intelligent block of wood ?



Is everybody who beats you in an argument ''not a block of wood, but I might actually find quite a few of them that have better insights than what I see coming from you.''

You are something else man.

Unbelievable !!!

(please nobody alert on this post of his )

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

66. And let's move on to your next tell: imitation outrage. Poutrage!

Instead of showing a complete lack of empathy, IMHO, for the Palestinians...

Instead of trying to change the subject...

Instead of preaching to me that I cannot speak truth to power...

Instead of pretending that I wrote something that I clearly didn't write...

Instead of pretending that you have won anything...


Perhaps you should go back to the original reason that I have cornered you with your own "And so what?", and when you do perhaps you can dig down deep and look for some empathy for the Palestinians who you refer to as Israeli Arabs.

Oh, and nice try with the "somebody alert this guy" non-alert while trying to pretend I said something that I have not.


Reading comprehension, dave, reading comprehension. Try it.


On edit: And speaking of wood, first take the plank out of your own eye.

[King_David]

67. Actually I said ''(please nobody alert on this post of his )'' I want it to stand .......

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

68. Go ahead. Alert.

Reading comprehension, dave. Really.

"You are calling me a sub intelligent block of wood ?"

Thou doth protest too much.

[King_David]

70. .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=91996

You are something else man....



Again :





http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=90260

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

72. Hey, let's post that punchline for all to see...

Star Member King_David (10,414 posts)

129. I'm sorry , but thinking you can actually tell Jews what they may or may not believe in... YOU

Have hereby disqualified YOURSELF from this debate.

YOU are no longer eligible to debate IP .

You really are too too much...

[azurnoir]

14. Poll: Right-wing, Kulanu, haredi parties garner 69 seats combined

According to new survey, 43% favor Netanyahu as prime minister with Herzog close behind at 41%

The right-wing bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party could garner as many as 69 seats in the next Knesset if it partnered with Moshe Kahlon’s newcomer center-right party Kulanu, a new poll finds.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/right-wing-ultra-orthodox-parties-lead-with-69-mandates-poll-finds/#ixzz3Nhmywomr

[sabbat hunter]

79. I wonder if

Kahlon would join a coalition with Bibi, given that he broke of to form his own party because he does not like Bibi and has major issues with him.

[shaayecanaan]

16. If apartheid does not exist in one part of a country

that does not preclude it from existing in another part.

In Northern Ireland, for a long time Catholics were entirely precluded from entering most branches of the public service. In the rest of Britain, anti-catholic bigotry had died off a long time ago. The fact that there was no serious anti-Catholic bigotry elsewhere in Britain did not mean that it ceased to exist in northern Ireland.

In the US, at the same time that Jim Crow laws were in force in the south, there were bastions of progressive sentiment in the north, including colleges and hospitals were black graduates were admitted. The fact that conditions in some parts of the north were comparatively good did not change the fact that conditions in the south were bad.

There are bastions of progressive sentiment in Israel as well, but that does not change the fact that the situation in places such as Hebron, for example, is nothing short of apartheid.

[shira]

19. How silly. Not all discrimination is apartheid.

You want genuine apartheid, look no further than your native Lebanon where apartheid against Palestinians is most obvious.

Your friends in the anti-Israel movement never call that apartheid.

How about yourself?

[shaayecanaan]

21. do you think that Israel treats its African refugees better than Lebanon

treats its Palestinian ones?

[shira]

23. We're talking about accusations of apartheid.

All you have against Israel is bullshit political slander.

That's obvious by your deflection from genuine Lebanese apartheid.

You guys cannot be taken seriously WRT apartheid when you deliberately ignore the most obvious type taking place right across Israel's northern border.

[shaayecanaan]

24. If Lebanon is guilty of apartheid by confining refugees in camps, the same must be true of Israel...

given that Israel inters Black people in camps, as well as Australia (which has refugee camps) and indeed the US, which has a longstanding Latino refugee population with still no pathway to citizenship.

It should also be noted that the policy of the Israeli government during the 1950s was to shoot returning Palestinian refugees on sight, a policy far crueler than anything Lebanon has ever come up with vis-a-vis the Palestinians.

If you seriously contend that Israel treats Palestinians better than Lebanon does, why do you think that the Palestinians fled to Lebanon after Black September rather than Israel?

[shira]

29. Really? "If Lebanon is guilty..."? There's no "if".

You prove my point that you cannot be taken seriously WRT your accusations of Israeli apartheid.

============================

It's not just confining refugees in camps, it's denying them their rightful citizenship, healthcare, public schooling, access to many professions, buying their own property, etc.

The vast majority of refugees in Lebanon were actually BORN there. They have a right to all the above.

You cannot make the same case against Israel. Israel doesn't do that to its citizens and you know that.

[shaayecanaan]

36. So you think that a child born to Arab refugee parents in Israel is entitled to Israeli citizenship?

Think very carefully, now.

It's not just confining refugees in camps, it's denying them their rightful citizenship, healthcare, public schooling, access to many professions, buying their own property, etc.

Golly, if Lebanon does all that, it brings me back to my earlier question:-

If you seriously contend that Israel treats Palestinians better than Lebanon does, why do you think that the Palestinians fled to Lebanon after Black September rather than Israel?

[shira]

37. Wait. Can we first agree Lebanon is unquestionably an Apartheid state....

....WRT its treatment of Palestinians who've lived there all their lives?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

41. Shira is boxed in.

Now watch the deflections.

[shira]

42. I'll answer as soon as Shay answers me. How about yourself?

Can you admit Lebanon is an apartheid state WRT its Palestinians?

Yes or No?

=============

Not that I expect a yes/no from either one of you.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

45. When a rogue nation refuses to look inward, one expects them to accuse everybody else first.

[shira]

51. Predictable. Yet another evasion. What do u fear from answering....

....such simple questions?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

61. Keep on pointing to everywhere else, shira,

except for where the discussion and OP are looking.

[shaayecanaan]

47. I'd like to know what I'm agreeing with first

as far as I can tell your proposition is this:-

If a child is born in a country to a refugee from the Palestinian territories, and that child is unable to obtain citizenship in that country nowithstanding having lived there for all of his or her life, then that country is guilty of apartheid.

I'd be happy to respond once you confirm that that is in fact your position.

[shira]

50. That alone isn't apartheid.

It's that IN ADDITION to everything else Lebanon does that makes it an apartheid state WRT its Palestinians.

I take it you don't believe Lebanon is an apartheid state?

[shaayecanaan]

52. So you admit that a child born in Israel to a parent from Gaza (for instance) would not qualify

for Israeli citizenship? Its a good start.

Your definition of apartheid was:-

It's not just confining refugees in camps, it's denying them their rightful citizenship, healthcare, public schooling, access to many professions, buying their own property, etc.

You have admitted that Israel keeps refugees in camps and that they also deny citizenship to refugee infants born on their territory. In fact Israel goes considerably further than that. They also deny citizenship to children born of an Israeli mother, whose father was from the Palestinian territories, Syria, Lebanon and certain other states.

You have therefore admitted that Israel satisfies at least two elements of your own definition of apartheid.

Let us proceed onto the "access to professions" part. Is it your contention that a Israeli-born child of Gazan refugee parents would be eligible to practise medicine, for instance, within the State of Israel?

[shira]

53. Where'd I admit that? You're clearly reaching....

Israel doesn't always deny citizenship in the cases you mentioned.

Also, Israel doesn't keep refugees in camps either. They dismantled all refugee camps back in the 50's.

What's clear is that this apartheid charge is a political game for you, as you cannot even acknowledge the most OBVIOUS form of apartheid against Palestinians just over Israel's northern border.

[shaayecanaan]

54. Really?

Israel doesn't keep refugees in camps?

I suppose these chaps must be performance artists:-

Israel doesn't always deny citizenship in the cases you mentioned.

But they virtually always do, don't they?

[shira]

55. Okay, so you're definitely denying Lebanese apartheid against its Palestinians.

It's impossible to rationally and honestly discuss apartheid with you if you're going to continue denying the obvious.

What makes you any different than those who deny genocide in Armenia for political purposes when you deny a very clear example of apartheid in Lebanon?

[shaayecanaan]

56. You need to clarify on what basis you are accusing Lebanon of apartheid

and how Israel's approach to refugees is better than Lebanon's, if you are still contending that Israel is not likewise guilty of apartheid. That is called rational argument. Simply making a bare assertion that Lebanon is guilty of apartheid and demanding that people accept it is not going to cut it.

[shira]

83. Okay, on refugees....

There are no permanent refugees lacking basic rights within Israel.

Lebanon's refugees have held that status for over 60 years now, with no end in sight.

[shaayecanaan]

84. Good luck defending that pathetic contrivance of an excuse

So its not apartheid if the refugees have been there for up to fourteen years without receiving asylum, but it is apartheid if they have been there for up to sixty years?

So how much longer do the African refugees have to wait before you admit that their situation is apartheid? Ten, twenty years?

[shira]

85. Where do you get this 14 years from? I think Israel's treatment....

...of these asylum seekers is HORRIFIC, but it's not apartheid.

[King_David]

65. Australia comes under fire for refugee policy

The Australian government’s tough stance on asylum seekers is failing to deter boat arrivals, as record numbers are hitting Australian shores. Rights groups have criticized the government’s asylum seeker policy.

http://www.dw.de/australia-comes-under-fire-for-refugee-policy/a-16439189


More performance art ?

[shaayecanaan]

69. Do you think that Australia is an apartheid state, Dave? (nt)

[King_David]

71. As much as Israel, Canada ,The USA or France is....

So no....

[shaayecanaan]

73. So you dont think that holding refugees in camps

and denying them citizenship constitutes apartheid, Dave?

[King_David]

74. No

[shaayecanaan]

75. What about not allowing the refugees access to Medicare

or not allowing them to practise medicine or law? Do you think that that's apartheid?

[King_David]

76. Federal cuts put refugee health care in danger

On April 25th, 2012 the Federal government announced cuts to most healthcare benefits for refugees that are currently provided by Canada’s Interim Federal Health (IFH) program, effective on June 30, 2012. Across Canada, healthcare providers, people who work with refugees and ordinary citizens are rallying against this decision, concerned that it flies in the face of an important Canadian value - providing a safe haven for vulnerable people around the world. Ironically, the cuts come into effect just in time for Canada Day. -

See more at: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/commentary/federal-cuts-put-refugee-health-care-danger#sthash.NaJ3BgLU.dpuf

[shaayecanaan]

77. So I take it thats a "no", Dave? (nt)

[King_David]

78. OK your turn....Ergo ...yes Australia and Canada are Apartheid states ? nt

[shaayecanaan]

80. No, Dave

I don't think that they are apartheid states.

Do you think that Lebanon is an apartheid state?

[King_David]

81. I think old South Africa was an apartheid state

But so many people see it everywhere.


nope not Lebanon either by what Apartheid really means.

[shaayecanaan]

82. Thank you Dave

I disagree with your answer, but I appreciate that it is at least consistent. Shira seems to have tied herself up in horrible knots.

To clarify my position, I think the Palestinians in Lebanon are victims of apartheid. They have become a permanent social underclass by virtue of their legal status, which to my mind is the definition of apartheid.

Most enlightened countries allow children born on their soil to apply for citizenship. The US constitution guarantees this right to every such person, Australia permits each such child to apply for citizenship on their tenth birthday. This is the principle of jus soli (citizenship by birth).

Both Lebanon and Israel only allow citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis). This means that a refugee in Israel or Lebanon will not be eligible for citizenship, nor their children, nor their children's children. Israeli and Lebanese law is functionally identical in this regard. Of course, if it were otherwise, the 750 000 Palestinians born in present day Israel but expelled during the Nakba would have been able to apply for Palestinian citizenship.

Socially, the Lebanese policy towards the Palestinians has been a disaster. Without work or social services, the birth rate has been very high and now 10% of the Lebanese population is now Palestinian refugees. It is the same lesson that Israel learnt when it put the Arab Israelis in military administration camps until 1966 and the population exploded.

Of course, in the case of Palestinian refugees Israel has a convenient solution. It can simply deport those to the West Bank or Gaza. But there are 60 000 African refugees in Israel for which there is no easy solution. They have no access to services. Without work opportunities they are forced to tout or hawk or hustle, which brings them into conflict with other residents.

Those people are fast becoming an underclass if they are not already. This presents a public relations problem. America has a certain blind spot for anti-Arab racism, but anti-Black racism is another thing entirely.

Granting the Africans citizenship is no easy fix. They will want to apply to bring their spouses from home, swelling their numbers further. They will legitimately allege racism if Israel refuses, when Israel permits Jews to bring even their non-Jewish spouses into Israel. In any event, the right-wing orientation of Israel's government makes reform very difficult.

Refusing them citizenship will cause the same social problems as Lebanon has with the Palestinians. Again, the fact that these people are Black makes this politically quite difficult.

Anyway, I don't think that anyone can really accuse Lebanon of apartheid without acknowledging that exactly the same problems present for Israel.

[shira]

86. Thank you Shay, but why didn't u just say so from the start?

At least we both agree about Lebanese apartheid.

We could've been MUCH further in our debate if you had just acknowledged it sooner.

[oberliner]

4. Ben White

That BA in English Literature is really paying off for him.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

6. Attack the messenger, ober? You should take heed of the message.

This polarisation was on display last summer during Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip, in what constituted a strong indicator of U.S. public opinion trends that are troubling from Israel's point of view. For example, around two weeks into the bombardment, only 57% of Americans backed Israel's actions in Gaza, despite the overwhelming support for Israel amongst U.S. politicians.

In a Gallup poll conducted a few days later, meanwhile, amongst those under the age of 30, more than twice as many Americans felt Israel's aggression in Gaza was unjustified (51%) than felt it justified (25%). The same was true for people of colour (49% versus 25%).

A further, Pew Research Centre, poll corroborated the evidence of a "huge generational split" on the attack on Gaza: among 18 to 29-year olds, 29% blamed Israel more for the current wave of violence, while 21% blamed Hamas. A piece for The Washington Post described "resistance among young Americans to Israel's actions" as "somewhat new", compared to previous bouts of violence (e.g. 18-to-29-year olds blamed Hezbollah more than Israel by a 30-10 margin in 2006).

You better hold on to your hat. I bet it's going to become an interesting ride for Israel and its bankrupt supporters.

[The Shredder]

8. All you have left is propaganda - which are defeated by the truth..

and YET you call it propaganda.

See the difference?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

12. You're funny.

[azurnoir]

13. Nothing has been defeated here but please do go on saying so

perhaps someone will believe it

[oberliner]

9. Show me where I attack anyone

Again, this only exists in your head.

Ben is a good writer.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

11. "That BA in English Literature is really paying off for him."

That sounds like a pretty dead on back-handed compliment.

But again, attacking the messenger is better than discussing the OP for some.

[shaayecanaan]

15. How's your liberal arts degree faring these days? (nt)

[oberliner]

17. An Oberlin education is a wonderful thing

Feel lucky to have had the experience.

[shaayecanaan]

25. Its a pity that experience doesn't pay the bills (nt)

[oberliner]

26. You said it

Too bad one can't make a living arguing about ME politics online.

[shaayecanaan]

27. Well, you're probably too moderate for your own good

You need more of that white-hot ideological fervour. Open a blog and that will get people throwing bones into your Paypal account in no time.

[oberliner]

28. Let's go in on a blog together

I can put on a more extreme personae if that'll help. I think I could do a pretty good impersonation of the fervent supporters on either side.

[bravenak]

30. I will follow that blog faithfully.

[oberliner]

31. Just make sure you click on the ads!

Keep us in business.

[bravenak]

32. For sure!

[shira]

33. Too bad for racist bigots within BDS that Liberals in America are waking up....

....and realizing how vile and depraved the BDS movement is.



Mondoweiss hates it:

http://mondoweiss.net/2014/02/goldberg-stoke-fears
http://mondoweiss.net/2014/02/movement-reinforces-israeli
http://mondoweiss.net/2014/03/liberal-zionists-against

[Mosby]

34. The Brookings poll used leading questions and false dillemas in it's questions

The poll is virtually worthless.

http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Research/Files/Reports/2014/12/05%20american%20opinion%20poll%20israeli%20palestinian%20conflict%20telhami/israel_palestine_key_findings_telhami_FINAL.pdf

page 12

[oberliner]

35. It's amazing that anyone chose the first option given the wording

Definitely a push poll.

[shaayecanaan]

57. I wouldnt call that a false dilemma

I would call it a very real one.

[Mosby]

58. a country can be democratic and have a state religion.

They are not mutually exclusive.

[shaayecanaan]

59. The question says "if the two state solution fails"

meaning that Israel would need to choose between granting the Palestinians the vote or denying them a democratic franchise in perpetuity.

[Mosby]

60. I think there are multiple problems with the question and possible answers.

The question asks: "if the two-state solution is not an option..."

That's a leading question that then forces the respondent into a false dilemma.

[The Shredder]

63. Dude.....

Why would Israel ever give the full right to a foreign citizen of a state that no-one really has control over?

If the Palestinians apply to become Israeli, then they will enjoy full rights as any other Israeli Arabs.....

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

87. UN chief defends Palestinian right to join ICC

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/americas/16259-un-chief-defends-palestinian-right-to-join-icc

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday defended the State of Palestine's right to join the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Ban told reporters after an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York: "The Palestinians have the right to join the International Criminal Court, having acquired the status of non-member State of the United Nations."

The United Nations General Assembly voted by a majority in the November 29, 2012, to grant Palestine a non- member state of the UN.

He said: "The Palestinians status at the United Nations allows them to join the International Criminal Court. It is their right. The statute will enter into force on April 1, 2015."

Israel, if it continues with the practice of apartheid, will find itself alone and branded as a rogue state. That's not the future I would want for my country if i was an Israeli citizen.