What should the world’s leading nations do when land is seized by a foreign power in clear defiance of international law? As recent events have shown, it seems to depend entirely on which country is involved. If it’s Russia annexing Crimea and then sending troops into eastern Ukraine, sanctions are imposed.
So why ought the international community respond with nothing more than empty words of condemnation when Israel declares that 400 hectares near Bethlehem is now "state land"? This constitutes the largest seizure of Palestinian land since the 1980s and is little more than a pretext for a long-planned settlement to be built there.
There is the facade of legal process about this because the Palestinians have the option to appeal by proving ownership, but previous experience has shown this to be little more than a sham. As The National reported yesterday, the Israeli government already invited bids last year for the construction of 1,000 housing units on the site.
This is a statement of intent by the Israeli government that it will continue to take the land that the Palestinians intend to be their future state. Previous condemnatory statements have done nothing to dissuade Israel from expanding its settlements and a more rigorous response is needed, particularly from the United States and the European Union.
Both have mechanisms of influence at their disposal to ensure that this kind of land grab by Israel incurs a significant cost.
The United States in particular provides $3 billion (Dh 11bn) in a range of forms of aid and military assistance to Israel each year and needs to voice the same kind of political outrage it has used against Russian aggression in the eastern regions of Ukraine.
The European Union is a major Israeli trading partner, amounting to €33 billion (Dh159bn) in 2012. Last year it imposed new guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities working within Israeli settlements in Palestine for funding by the EU. Twelve more EU states have joined the UK, Germany and France in pushing their citizens not to do business with Israeli settlements. There is much more the EU could do – or threaten to do.
In the modern era, Russia’s aggression and defiance of Ukraine’s sovereignty has not been allowed to occur without major consequences. The same standard should apply to Israel’s seizure of Palestinian land.
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Company%20Profile
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The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
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From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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SCORES IN BRIEF
New Zealand 153 and 56 for 1 in 22.4 overs at close
Pakistan 227
(Babar 62, Asad 43, Boult 4-54, De Grandhomme 2-30, Patel 2-64)
OTHER IPL BOWLING RECORDS
Best bowling figures: 6-14 – Sohail Tanvir (for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings in 2008)
Best average: 16.36 – Andrew Tye
Best economy rate: 6.53 – Sunil Narine
Best strike-rate: 12.83 – Andrew Tye
Best strike-rate in an innings: 1.50 – Suresh Raina (for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals in 2011)
Most runs conceded in an innings: 70 – Basil Thampi (for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018)
Most hat-tricks: 3 – Amit Mishra
Most dot-balls: 1,128 – Harbhajan Singh
Most maiden overs bowled: 14 – Praveen Kumar
Most four-wicket hauls: 6 – Sunil Narine
Company%20Profile
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.