By David Singer ——Bio and Archives--May 4, 2020
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"Israel's decision to unilaterally march ahead with the planned annexation on July 1 undermines human rights in the region, and would be a severe body blow to the rules-based international order"Israeli sovereignty will be applied in about 1697 km2—approximating 30% of Judea and Samaria--where 65,000 Arabs—4% of Judea and Samaria's Arab population—live. Lynk then misleadingly states:
"It would also further undermine any remaining prospect for a just and negotiated settlement"Rubbish. Sovereignty in the remaining 70%—3958 km2—home for 96% of Judea and Samaria's Arab population will be allocated in direct Israeli-Arab negotiations.
"If Israel's annexation plans proceed, what would be left of the West Bank would become a Palestinian Bantustan, an archipelago of disconnected islands of territory, completely surrounded and divided up by Israel and unconnected to the outside world"Lynk makes this sensational claim without having seen the actual joint US-Israel Mapping Committee proposals. Certain to inflame Arab passions is Lynk's assertion: "The plan would crystalize a 21st century apartheid, leaving in its wake the demise of the Palestinians' right to self-determination. Legally, morally, politically, this is entirely unacceptable." The 65,000 Arab residents affected will acquire Israeli residency rights. Lynk's claim that "apartheid" will be the outcome of Israel's decision is outrageous. Lynk's use of the term "annexation" throughout his statement becomes clear as he continues his diatribe:
"Annexation has been strictly prohibited under international law since the adoption of the Charter of the United Nations in 1945. Drawing from the bitter lessons of two world wars fought within a generation, the international community outlawed annexation because it generates conflict, vast human suffering, political instability, economic ruin and systemic discrimination."
"The looming annexation is a political litmus test for the international community. This annexation will not be reversed through rebukes, nor will the 53-year-old occupation die of old age"Lynk concludes:
"As I stated in March, the international community should review its extensive menu of sanctions and countermeasures to stem this march towards further illegality. Settlement products should not enter the international marketplace. Agreements, existing and proposed, with Israel should be reviewed."There is no illegality—only legality heaped on legality. The 30% of Judea and Samaria to become part of Israel is the Jewish People's biblical and ancestral heartland. Lynk's attempt to erase its Jewish patrimony is disgraceful. Lynk's refusal to acknowledge Jewish claims in Judea and Samaria smacks of unadulterated Jew-hatred, will incite violence against Jews and should be roundly condemned. Author's note: The cartoon – commissioned exclusively for this article—is by Yaakov Kirschen aka "Dry Bones"- one of Israel's foremost political and social commentators – whose cartoons have graced the columns of Israeli and international media publications for decades. His cartoons can be viewed at Drybonesblog
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David Singer is an Australian Lawyer, a Foundation Member of the International Analyst Network and Convenor of Jordan is Palestine International—an organization calling for sovereignty of the West Bank and Gaza to be allocated between Israel and Jordan as the two successor States to the Mandate for Palestine. Previous articles written by him can be found at: jordanispalestine.blogspot.com