Cocktails International
Palestine, cocktails and Prejudice
"The party is undoubtedly the worst invention since castor oil" – Elsa Maxwell
If you happen to be Jewish and live in the West Bank, then surely have blown your chances of ever being invited to a cocktail of new British ambassador's residence in Israel.
The presence of three prominent West Bank Jewish residents of Queen Elizabeth to celebrate birthday in June so incensed Conservative MP Crispin Blunt who was taken to raise the issue in Parliament and write to British Foreign Office, Kim Howells, minister July 25 indicating that the invitation to "settler leaders" gave the impression of weakness "in position for a long time government that settlements were illegal and an obstacle to peace. "(Jerusalem Post, 05 August).
Mr. Blunt is not just ordinary opposition backbencher. Also happens to be the President of the pro-Arab Middle East Council Conservative in the House of Commons and Co-Chair of the British Council and Arab Understanding (CAABU) Colin Breed MP and MP John Austin.
Mr Howells attempted to justify the issuance of invitations to attend a birthday party for the Queen – while at the same While expressing his repentance – telling Mr Blunt July 31:
"Our embassy in Tel Aviv, contacts with community Settlers have been with the aim of exposing the British Government's view on this issue, and try to convince them that settlements are a major obstacle to peace. But you are right that their presence here is not helpful and the Embassy is reviewing its procedures to ensure that never happens again in the future. "
This incredible response will clearly require the Ambassador in the future, to preclude the president of Israel, Prime Minister and a Cabinet Minister – Indeed any Jew living anywhere in Israel – to share a gin and tonic and cucumber sandwiches with the Ambassador – since Israel's policy on the right Jews to live in the West Bank totally rejects the British government's declared policy.
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website succinctly describes Israel's policy as follows:
"Repeated charges regarding the illegality of Israeli settlements Should therefore be regarded as politically motivated, with no basis in international law.
Politically, the West Bank and Gaza Strip is best regarded as territory over which states competition, which must be resolved in peace process negotiations. Israel claims valid title in this territory based not only in its historical and religious connection to the earth, and its recognized security needs, but also the fact that the territory was not under the sovereignty of any state and came under Israeli control in a war of self-defense, imposed upon Israel. In turn, Israel recognizes that the Palestinians also entertain legitimate claims to the area. Indeed, the very fact that the parties have agreed to conduct negotiations on settlements indicated that they expected a compromise on this issue. "
The West Bank and Gaza represent about 6% of the total area of ancient Palestine, earlier administered by the British from 1920 to 1948 in the League of Nations mandate. Has the only territory of the former Palestine in which sovereignty is not yet assigned to any State or group. It may be rather better described as "no man's land" or "disputed land" in international law.
Sovereignty in 77% of ancient Palestine – Jordan called today – was granted exclusively by the British to the Arabs in 1946, in contravention of Article 5 of the Mandate.
Israel claimed sovereignty over another 17% after fighting a war against the invasion of six Arab countries in 1948 after the Arab refusal to accept a commitment by the United Nations who have seen the remaining 23% divided into a Jewish and an Arab state seconds. Egypt occupied Gaza, while Jordan occupied the West Bank during 19 years – until both were captured by Israel in the Six Day War in 1967.
Only Britain supported Jordan's attempt to claim sovereignty in the West Bank from 1948 to 1967. Britain never described the West Bank as "occupied Palestinian territories" during these 19 years – but now term used these days with increasing stridency and political hypocrisy total.
Jews living in the West Bank and Gaza were uprooted in 1948 and razed their settlements. They began returning there after 1967 and the current Jewish population living in the West Bank over 450,000 people. 8000 All Jews living in Gaza were evacuated in 2005.
Jews had been given the right to "close settlement" in the West Bank and Gaza, including State lands and lands waste is not required for public purposes "under Article 6 of the Mandate. It was in these lands and lands acquired from Arab owners and cities Jewish villages in the West Bank and Gaza had been founded before 1948 and were later reinstated after 1967.
The right of Jews to live in the West Bank and Gaza survive the termination of the mandate in 1948 in accordance with Article 80 of the United Nations Charter, which remains applicable today.
The British lost the plot since the day he assumed control of Palestine in 1920. Their attitude shows that they have learned nothing from many of the problems they created during – and after – left the office in 1948.
The British have the right to maintain their own political point of view – but to exclude anyone disagree with the policy to attend their parties, because it may indicate a weakening of Britain's political position is quite rude and indicative of expected arrogance had disappeared from the person in this bastion of democracy and freedom of expression.
It will be interesting to see whether the ambassadors British throughout the world are similarly instructed to strike out on their guest lists anyone (even the diplomatic representatives of other countries) whose policy differs from the Government of His Majesty for fear that his presence would show weakness in promoting Britain's political views.
Maybe a little castor oil martinis sliding your guests can help purge the political forces that do not match those of their common British armies.
Somehow I think the British directive will stop in Israel and the Jews – and I hope to be invested immediately after a quite drink between Israel and Britain respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
Otherwise you may find that diplomatic posts in the Foreign Service Britain will not be as eagerly sought if Ambassadors will end up having only themselves and have something to talk to.
Copyright by David Singer,
David Singer is an Australian lawyer, a member of the Foundation of the International Network Analyst and Coordinator Jordan is Palestine International – an organization calling for sovereignty of the West Bank and Gaza to be allocated between Israel and Jordan, the two successor States that the Mandate of Palestine. Previous articles written by him can be found at
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