US-Jewish leaders urge PM to reject the Levy Report

[J.Noah ה]

Several dozen American Jewish leaders, including figures from the hawkish end of the political spectrum, have called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reject the Levy report, which gives legal backing to Israel’s West Bank settlements.
“As strong advocates for Israel’s security and well-being as a Jewish and democratic state, we are deeply concerned about the recent findings of government commission led by Supreme Court Justice (Ret.) Edmond Levy,” states a letterto the prime minister signed by more than 40 prominent communal leaders and philanthropists. “We fear that this report, if approved, will place the two-state solution, and the prestige of Israel as a democratic member of the international community, in peril.”
Signatories to the letter, which was delivered to Netanyahu on Sunday, include Canadian philanthropist Charles Bronfman; Rabbi Daniel Gordis, the president of the Jerusalem-based Shalem Center think tank; Holocaust expert Professor Deborah Lipstadt; Thomas Dine, a former executive director of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC; and E. Robert Goodkind, a former president of the American Jewish Committee.



http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-jewi...n-settlements/

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

The settlements aren't going anywhere. No democratic government can authorize a campaign of ethnic cleansing against its own citizens on that scale and survive. 500,000 Israelis live on the West Bank and East Jerusalem and they aren't leaving. Three of the West Bank's ten largest cities are settlements. People need to figure this out and work from there.

[GB_FXST]

The major settlements aren't going anywhere. No democratic government can authorize a campaign of ethnic cleansing against its own citizens on that scale and survive. 500,000 Israelis live on the West Bank and East Jerusalem and they aren't leaving. Three of the West Bank's ten largest cities are settlements. People need to figure this out and work from there.

I agree with you except for the caveat that not all settlements in the WB are sustainable or desirable. So, yes, the major settlement blocs are there to stay. But the report in question is speaking to beyond just the major settlements.

[J.Noah ה]

I agree with you except for the caveat that not all settlements in the WB are sustainable or desirable. So, yes, the major settlement blocs are there to stay. But the report in question is speaking to beyond just the major settlements.

Im not a fan of the settlers or some call them the explores..Anyway, These minor settlements which I believe they mention are still in no violation of any international law considering the jews have the right to settlement in the WB. If its a 'smart' move or not is another question.

[GB_FXST]

Im not a fan of the settlers or some call them the explores..Anyway, These minor settlements which I believe they mention are still in no violation of any international law considering the jews have the right to settlement in the WB. If its a 'smart' move or not is another question.

Oh, I agree there is no issue of a violation of international law. It is just a matter of realpolitik.

[JGXL836]

Well, some minor settlements are in violation of the Israeli law, and they have to GTFO there.

Of course major blocs aren't going anywhere.

[crush6655]

Bibi: LOL...