Forget elections, where is justice for Palestinians?
Illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory being used as political capital by Israeli politicians is nothing new. But during election season, they are taking it to a whole new level. Isaeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is giving it a final shot in a bid to retain power. Elections on Tuesday are expected to see a tight finish and the prime minister is taking no chances. The coalition led by his Likud Party appears uncertain about victory against the centrist opposition named the Blue and White Alliance led by former general Benny Gantz. Opinion polls claim it won’t be easy for the PM’s party. Netanyahu’s statement in a TV interview should be seen in this context. It will rouse his support base. Netanyahu is hoping to become the country’s longest serving PM by pulling off a win and getting the coalition numbers. But that would come at a heavy price to the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Simply put, it threatens to put the peace process back to a point of no return. Fourteen parties are contesting in 120 seats; 5.8 million voters will exercise their right to franchise, and 61 seats will ensure a majority. Sixty-one or above for Likud and its partners would damage and dampen hopes for Middle
East peace.
Netanyahu’s plan to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank where 400,000 Jewish settlers live could make the crisis worse. It is a poll pitch to his rightist constituency that has no legitimacy under international law. The PM believes he can bulldoze his way because the US will back his foolish, populist moves. But this puts a future independent Palestinian state in jeopardy. Resistance to these planned measures is important but falls short of punishing the regime. What is needed is more international pressure on Tel Aviv. Putting the plight of the Palestinians back on the international agenda is a matter of global conscience. This is about justice for an oppressed people. Further delay in taking on a government that denies people their right to self-determination would help them get away with more crimes against humanity.
What is needed is more international pressure on Tel Aviv. Putting the plight of the Palestinians back on the international agenda is a matter of global conscience