The LORDS OF THE LAND and ZIONISM Akiva Eldar The LORDS OF THE LAND and ZIONISM Akiva Eldar

Zionism = Declaration of Independence Tel Aviv, May 14, 1948 The State of Israel is to be: Jewish Jewish Democratic Democratic Safe Safe Reaching for Peace Reaching for Peace Just Just

A Jewish State The catastrophe which recently befell the Jewish People – the massacre of millions of Jews in Europe – was another clear demonstration of the urgency of solving the problem of its homelessness by re- establishing in Eretz-israel the Jewish State.

Are the settlements supporting the need to be a Jewish State? Demographics: Within the Green Line: Within the Green Line: 2009:79.8% Jews, 20.2% not Jewish 2020:77.2% Jews, 22.3% not Jewish Including the Occupied Territories: Including the Occupied Territories: 2009:54% Jews, 46% not Jewish 2020: 52.2% Jews, 47.8% not Jewish not including Gaza not including Gaza

A Democratic State It will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants, irrespective of religion, race, or sex. It will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants.

Do the settlements enhance democratic values? Three different sets of laws. Three different sets of laws. Discrimination in distribution of resources. Discrimination in distribution of resources. Seizing land. Seizing land. Hallachic authority overriding the legitimacy of the state: Hallachic authority overriding the legitimacy of the state:

Former chief Rabbi Avraham Shapira, during the disengagement from Gaza: “The soldiers must tell their commanders that it is forbidden to evacuate Jews. It is like desecration of the Shabbat… The Prime Minister is not the “boss”, the “boss” is the All Mighty God “ (Besheva, )

A Safe Haven We appeal to the Jewish People throughout the Diaspora to rally round the Jews of Eretz Israel in the task of immigration and up building, and to stand by them in the great struggle for the realization of the age-old dream – the redemption of Israel.

Do the settlements offer the Jews a safer haven? Since the second Intifada the IDF deployed two divisions in the west Bank. Since the second Intifada the IDF deployed two divisions in the west Bank. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed in terrorist attacks in seven years. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed in terrorist attacks in seven years : the budget for security in the occupied territories is 6.5 billion $US : the budget for security in the occupied territories is 6.5 billion $US : the budget of the Ministry of Internal Security was doubled : the budget of the Ministry of Internal Security was doubled.

Reaching for Peace We extend our hand to all neighboring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness

Are the settlements promoting peace? The Arab League Peace Initiative: normalization with the Arab countries in return for withdrawal to 1967 borders. The Arab League Peace Initiative: normalization with the Arab countries in return for withdrawal to 1967 borders. Israel annexed East Jerusalem and declared that the “settlement blocks” on the west side of the Wall should stay a part of Israel. Israel annexed East Jerusalem and declared that the “settlement blocks” on the west side of the Wall should stay a part of Israel. 30 years of peace with Egypt prove that “territories for peace” can work. 30 years of peace with Egypt prove that “territories for peace” can work.

Oslo ,000 settlers (excluding East Jerusalem) Oslo ,000 settlers (excluding East Jerusalem) October 2009 – 295,000 settlers. October 2009 – 295,000 settlers. Separation wall (760 KM) Separation wall (760 KM) More than 600 road blocks and check points (“liberal occupation”) More than 600 road blocks and check points (“liberal occupation”) Settlements are a point of friction between Israel and the international community. Settlements are a point of friction between Israel and the international community.

A Just state Here they (the Jews) first attained to statehood, created cultural values of natural and universal significance… political freedom. It will be based on justice as envisaged by the Prophets of Israel.

Are the settlements making Israel Just? 1.2% built area, 10% planning zone. 1.2% built area, 10% planning zone % of the settlements and outpost sit (fully or partially) on Private Palestinian Land (130 of 162) % of the settlements and outpost sit (fully or partially) on Private Palestinian Land (130 of 162). Only 27 settlements and outposts are not built on private Palestinian land or Survey Land. Only 27 settlements and outposts are not built on private Palestinian land or Survey Land.

Israel defines around 1.6 million dunams (some 4 million acres) in the West Bank as state lands and does not allow the Palestinians to develop them. Israel defines around 1.6 million dunams (some 4 million acres) in the West Bank as state lands and does not allow the Palestinians to develop them.

Hundreds of thousands of dunams in the West Bank have been declared "closed military zones" or "engaged" - they are off-limits to the Palestinians. Hundreds of thousands of dunams in the West Bank have been declared "closed military zones" or "engaged" - they are off-limits to the Palestinians..

68 percent of all West Bank communities have agricultural lands that are not being used or are not accessible, for reasons including water shortages and the withholding of land by Israel 68 percent of all West Bank communities have agricultural lands that are not being used or are not accessible, for reasons including water shortages and the withholding of land by Israel

o More than 10 percent of cultivated agricultural land in the West Bank (which produces 8 percent of all Palestinian agricultural produce), is directly affected by the physical obstacles that separate the land from its owners. development for settlement activity. o More than 10 percent of cultivated agricultural land in the West Bank (which produces 8 percent of all Palestinian agricultural produce), is directly affected by the physical obstacles that separate the land from its owners. development for settlement activity.

In area C (which is completely under Israeli control) and constitutes about 60 percent of West Bank land, Israeli land policy prevent Palestinian development.

Injustice towards other Israelis Since 67 – 2003 The settlements received 10 billion $ tax payers money more than equivalent communities in Israel. Since 67 – 2003 The settlements received 10 billion $ tax payers money more than equivalent communities in Israel. Israel Har’el: We do mainly for ourselves and our communities… We are not sensitive to what is happening around us (in Israel), outside our settlements’ “bubble”. (Nekuda, Sept. 2004).

Having said that… The settlers’ movement failed its main target of creating a substantial Jewish presence in the West Bank: The settlers are only 4.5% of the entire Jewish population in Israel. The settlers are only 4.5% of the entire Jewish population in Israel. In the west Bank – for every Jewish settler there are 10 Palestinians. The settlers living east of the Wall create 2.2.% of the population in the area. In the west Bank – for every Jewish settler there are 10 Palestinians. The settlers living east of the Wall create 2.2.% of the population in the area.

Is it still possible to correct the mistake and save the Zionist dream ?

. The Arab Peace initiative The Arab Peace initiative Most Arab and Muslim states recognized Israel within the 1967 borders “Road Map” and SCR “Road Map” and SCR Recognition of a Palestinian State Solana and Salam Fayad’s Solana and Salam Fayad’s Time line for implementation Time line for implementation