'inevitable consequence' of Israeli occupation
GENEVA: A report commissioned by the United Nations
suggests that Palestinian terrorism is the "inevitable
consequence" of Israeli occupation and laws that
resemble South African apartheid.
The report by John Dugard, independent investigator
on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the U.N. Human
Rights Council, will be presented next month,
but it has been posted on the body's Web site.
In it, Dugard, a South African lawyer who campaigned
against apartheid in the 1980s, says "common sense ...
dictates that a distinction must be drawn between acts
of mindless terror, such as acts committed by al-Qaida,
and acts committed in the course of a war of national
liberation against colonialism, apartheid or military occupation."
While Palestinian terrorist acts are to be deplored,
"they must be understood as being a painful but
inevitable consequence of colonialism, apartheid or
occupation," writes Dugard, whose 25-page report
accuses the Jewish state of acts and policies
consistent with all three.
He cited checkpoints and roadblocks restricting
Palestinian movement to house demolitions and
what he terms the "Judaization" of Jerusalem.
As long as there is occupation, there will be
terrorism, he argues.
"Acts of terror against military occupation must
be seen in historical context," Dugard says.
"This is why every effort should be made to bring the
occupation to a speedy end. Until this is done, peace
cannot be expected, and violence will continue."
Israel's U.N. ambassador in Geneva slammed Dugard's analysis.
"The common link between al-Qaida and the
Palestinian terrorists is that both intentionally
target civilians with the mere purpose to kill,"
Itzhak Levanon said. "The fact that Professor
Dugard is ignoring this essential fact, demonstrates
his inability to use objectivity in his assessment.
"Professor Dugard will better serve the cause of
peace by ceasing to enflame the hatred between
Israelis and Palestinians, who have embarked on
serious talks to solve this contentious situation."
Dugard was appointed in 2001 as an unpaid expert
by the now-defunct U.N. Human Rights Commission
to investigate only violations by the Israeli side,
prompting Israel and the U.S. to dismiss his reports
as one-sided. Israel refused to allow him to conduct a
U.N.-mandated fact-finding mission on its Gaza
offensive in 2006.
The report will be presented next month at the 47-
nation rights council's first regular session of the year.
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