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International law

Levy Committee Report: Where are the Palestinians?

On 9 July 2012, the media published the recommendations of a government-appointed committee on "steps to be taken to regularize construction" in the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Given that the Levy Committee was founded explicitly to find ways of legalizing illegal acts, it is not surprising that its conclusions appear tailored to the settlement agenda. The report's conclusions have no basis in international law and almost completely ignore the people most hurt by the establishment of settlements, the two and a half million Palestinians of the West Bank.

July 11
High Court sanctions looting: Israeli quarries in the West Bank

The natural resources of an occupied territory must be used to benefit local residents, unless they are needed for urgent military purposes. Yet on 26 Dec. '11, an Israeli High Court of Justice ruling given by President Justice Dorit Beinisch allowed the state and Israeli entrepreneurs to loot West Bank quarries. The judgment blatantly contradicts the principles laid out by the Court over 30 years, as well as international law. It may enable Israel to treat the West Bank and its resources as annexed territory, while ignoring Palestinians' rights.

January 16
Foreign Policy Op-Ed

"Partial Acquital"
By Uri Zaki, B'Tselem USA Director, Foreign Policy, 6 April 2011.

April 6
Washington Post Op-Ed

"Beyond Goldstone: A Truer Discussion of Israel, Hamas and the Gaza Conflict"
By Jessica Montell, B'Tselem Executive Director, The Washington Post, 5 April 2011.

April 5
Forward Op-Ed

"Op-Ed Doesn't Close the Book on Cast Lead"
by Jessica Montell, B'Tselem Executive Director, The Jewish Daily Forward, 5 April 2011. 

April 5