Israel Defiantly Set to Approve Thousands More Illegal Settlement Units

By Stephen Lendman | Global Research

Israel illegally occupies historic Palestine, stealing its land for exclusive Jewish development,  a clear example of racist state rule, defying the rule of law.

On Christmas day, the Israel Hayom broadsheet said “(t)he Jerusalem District Zoning Committee is scheduled to approve the construction of 5,600 housing units in Gilo, Ramat Shlomo, and Givat Hamatos neighborhoods beyond the Green Line.”

Deputy Jerusalem mayor Meir Turgeman defiantly said

“(w)e remain unfazed by the UN vote, or by any other entity that tries to dictate what we do in Jerusalem. I hope the Israeli government and the new US administration will support us, so we can make up for the lack (of construction) during the eight years of the Obama administration.”

Fourth Geneva’s Article 49 states

“(i)ndividual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive.”

Israel defied the law for nearly half a century, now controls over 60% of the West Bank, much of East Jerusalem, over 600,000 settlers living on stolen Palestinian land – a flagrant Fourth Geneva breach, virtually nothing done to stop it from trampling on fundamental Palestinian rights.

In response to last Friday’s Security Council slap-down, Israel intends building 2,600 more units in East Jerusalem’s Gilo settlement, another 2,600 in Givat HaMatos, and 400 in Ramat Shlomo.

A Jerusalem municipality spokesman lied, saying

“(b)uilding Jerusalem is essential for the development of the city for the benefit of all residents, Jews and Arabs alike. The city will continue, with all of the tools at its disposal, to develop our capital in accordance with the city’s master plan and planning and construction laws.”

Fact: Palestinians are prohibited from living in settlements exclusively developed for Jews.

Fact: No US administration ever acted to stop Israeli persecution of Arabs – nothing to legally, morally and ethically challenge apartheid ruthlessness, cold-blooded mass murder, land theft and other high crimes.

Netanyahu, extremist ministers, and racist MKs openly reject Security Council Resolution 2334, stating settlements have “no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation under international law.”

It demands “Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.”

[More…]

Philosophers stone – selected views from the boat http://philosophers-stone.co.uk

Source: http://www.philosophers-stone.co.uk/?p=16901