Do Israel have any right to keep part or whole of the West Bank?

Of COURSE not Michael----but you're a smart cookie, and you're well aware of that fact.

The Zionists' long-time argument that "God gave us that country!" was long-standing, but I have noticed that the Izzie supporters are finally becoming aware of how utterly stupid that statement was, and they're switching tactics. Take note of some of the replies here. "The West Bank technically isn't occupied"?!

Spare me! If the Palestinian military had been dictating daily life in Israel for the last 60-odd years, it'd sure as sh!t be considered "occupation" by them!

I agree with the one who stated that one's religion and ethnicity would probably color their opinions, but consider that only ONE country, the Zionist-run United States, supports Israel's continuing occupation (for that's what it is) of Palestinian land. I personally have no vested interest in the outcome of this situation, ther than for humanitarian factors: I am neither Arab (I'm Native American) nor Muslim (I'm a Pagan). But as an intelligent and empathetic human being, I'm certainly able to recognize right from wrong.

It's too bad the Zionists cannot---because they're DEAD wrong.

Unfortunately, that is a matter of debate. Under long standing international understandings, a country that is invaded, then defeats the invader can annex land as compensation for war losses. The wrench is that the UN created two countries - one with a Jewish majority and one with a Muslim majority AFTER Britain gave 2/3 of Palestine to the Hashamite Arabs as reward for their help against the Ottomans which became the Kingdom of Transjordan (later Jordan). When the British mandate expired and Israel declared independence, Jordan invaded intent on controlling all of Palestine with the help of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and others. Jordan got most of the area the UN had reserved for an independent Muslim Palestine and Egypt and Israel got the rest. When the same bunch invaded in 1967, Israel again defeated them and seized the west bank and Jerusalem from Jordan (not Palestine) which was perfectly legal - except that Jordan defied the UN and was an aggressor so the Jordanian taking of the west bank was seen as against international norms. Thus the question: Israel legally seized territory that was stolen by Jordan so can they legally keep it? Basically, the UN says some of it but not all and the Arab nations say only the pre-67 borders while terrorist groups such as HAMAS go by the old pan-Arab line that it is all theirs and to bell with the UN. Israel is divided that many want all of it while others are fine with the 67 borders as long as the terrorist attacks stop and they are recognized as legitimate. As one gets power in elections, Israel changes its stance and visa-versa. It may be moot, though. Possession is 90% of the law and as immigration continues, new settlements are formed. If there is to be a Muslim Palestinian homeland other then Jordan, it will have to be soon and, as Israel knows this, they will likely procrastinate.

@ mc93433

You bring up an interesting point but I think you're missing something. Who decides? Well, the world must decide that is wrong. Remember one important thing, the question is not "should Israel leave Palestine". Many Palestinians are just asking that they live in security and have the ability to control their own state. This necessity includes not building more on land Israel does not have the right to build on. Is this too much to ask? Have the Palestinians not suffered enough over the past 60 years?

I fail to understand how somebody who might use the manage Martin Luther King, Jr. could be so anti-Israel. He grew to become right into a huge supporter of Israel and suggested as out people who weren't. He grew to become right into a passionate Zionist. Please, substitute you manage in case you persevere to ask those antisemitic questions. yet another factor to think of approximately as nicely. the place do you think of we get maximum of our intelligence from interior the midsection east? Israel we could us be attentive to whilst undesirable issues are coming our way. Do you think of the Israeli military has no longer come throughout any Muslim radicals or extremist? They get the information and deliver it our way whilst they seize those psychos. it incredibly is yet one extra reason we help Israel. they're our basically significant allie interior the midsection east.

Neither resolution 242 nor the Geneva conventions forbids Israel from building in an occupied land.

East Jerusalem has been annexed to Israel and therefore is not legally "occupied territory".

The rest of the west bank is indeed considered occupied, but again, there's nothing in resolution 242 nor the Geneva conventions to forbid Israel from building there.

Resolution 242 calls for Israel to withdraw from territories it has conquered in the '67 war. It was specifically phrased so. There's nothing in it that calls for Israel to withdraw from ALL the territories it has conquered. So for that matter - Israel has already complied with it when it withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

Once the Palestinians recognize the Jewish State of Israel's right to exist in peace and security, then borders can be talked about. In that case, then the 1949-50 Armistice lines known collectively as the Green Line can be used as a base starting point. Small changes would probably have to be agreed to like a transport corridor by tunnel or causeway for the connection of the Palestinian West Bank to Gaza in exchange for the Jewish Quarter of the Old City including the Western Wall plus the tiny Latrun Salient which crosses the Tel Aviv - Jerusalem highway. Until the Palestinians stop trying to exterminate Israel, then Israel out of necessity for its survival must control the West Bank.

"Occupation" is a specific legal term with a very narrow scope. In order for an area to be occupied, two major criteria must be met. The territory must have been taken from a sovereign nation, and the occupying power must be actively governing the everyday activities of the territory. The West Bank and Gaza Strip meet neither of these criteria. Neither were they conquered from sovereign states (unless you want to count Egypt and Jordan who had been in control of the territories from 1948 until 1967), nor is Israel involved in the day to day governing of the territories.

Depending on which side you're on your perspective will be different. However, almost every nation in the world has won or lost land through military action ( war, invasion etc) It is how nations are built. If you are on the winning side GREAT, if you are on the losing side...bummer. Sorry, its hard to point a finger when if that's the precedent you want to make...then every country needs to give back land, including most of the middle east, Of course there is the problem of who gets to decide, and how far back do you go? ....

None whatsoever. Israel is a rogue state and needs to be punished by the United Nations as it is in breach of dozens of UN resolutions. Fat chance, though.

They do not have that right under international laws but nobody have the balls to do anything to stop them doing so.

Edit to mov ah - Do you seriously say those things? The whole world agrees with the fact that Israel is occupying the palestinian territories. Even INTERNATIONAL LAWS. Palestinians the occupiers? How can you seriously say this?!