Rense.com


Sharon Rebuked For
Using The Term 'Occupation'
By Gideon Alon
Haaretz Correspondent
5-27-3


Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Tuesday backtracked on his use of the word "occupation," which he had used four times at a meeting with Likud MKs on Monday to describe Israel's presence in the territories.
 
On Tuesday, Sharon told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, "When I used the term 'occupation,' I meant it is undesirable for us to rule over a Palestinian population."
 
Sharon noted that Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein had rebuked him for using this term, pointing out that the legal position adopted by all Israeli governments since 1967 is that the West Bank and Gaza are "disputed territories" rather than "occupied territories."
 
Rubinstein explained, "These are territories that belonged to no recognized sovereign power before 1967, and therefore the correct way to describe the situation in the territories in legal terms is as 'disputed territory,' whose status is to be determined through agreements."
 
Sharon's statements at Monday's Likud faction meeting sparked a furor among rightist MKs on the foreign affairs committee. Coalition chair, Gideon Sa'ar (Likud), told him: "You taught us that all the rights to this land belong to the Jewish people. How is it possible for a people to be an occupying power in its own land?" Shaul Yalahom (National Religious Party) demanded: "What's happened to you, Ariel Sharon? Statements such as the ones you made [on Monday] are a shock from which it is impossible to recover."
 
Sharon responded sharply to this criticism. "I have no training in how to treat people for shock," he said. "But as for what happened to me, I can cite statements I made as far back as 1988 in which I detailed the areas that are vital for Israel's security and those on which the Palestinians should be permitted to establish a state. Today, things have changed. My opinion now is that we don't need to assume responsibility for 3.5 million Palestinians."
 
From leftist MKs, Sharon won a few compliments for his statement. Amram Mitzna (Labor) said: "I'm delighted that you reached the conclusion that 3.5 million Palestinians cannot be kept under occupation. Better late than never."
 
Others, however, were skeptical. Yossi Sarid (Meretz), for instance, announced that he did not believe a word Sharon said unless it was backed up by actions, such as evacuating settlement outposts and freezing construction in the veteran settlements. Most of the other leftist MKs reiterated these demands.
 
Sharon did not comment specifically on the settlements, but in response to a question by Ran Cohen (Meretz), he declared that he is determined to implement the U.S-backed road map.
 
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/297586.html

Disclaimer





MainPage
http://www.rense.com


This Site Served by TheHostPros