The UN released a report this week that stated the obvious: the occupation causes Palestinians to respond with violence, ‘terrorism’ if you will.

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 — a claim Israel rejected Tuesday as enflaming hatred between Jews and Palestinians.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.”

The man speaks truth, but note the Israeli reaction. This Dugard, he is ‘enflaming hatred’ between Jews and Palestinians.

!!!! (eyebrows arching)

I see. Apparently we are to believe that the violent, murderous Israeli occupation doesn’t inflame hatred. It’s just the vicious people like Dugard who insist on talking about it who keep causing all the trouble. Look at what he says!

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.”

Well…actually…that makes perfect sense. I would go so far as to say that it is obvious, and self-evident, and plain as the nose on your face, etc.

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.”

That’s very rich. We have here a case of complete projection of Israel’s behavior toward the Palestinians (intentionally targeting civilians with the mere purpose to kill) as well as a blatant lie (serious talks, blah blah blah).

Israel has a bone to pick with Dugard because, unlike the corporate media, which constantly and consistently tells Israel’s side of the story, he has focused only on the Palestinian side. This makes him ‘one-sided’, and therefore he is not credible. However, anyone who is ‘one-sided’ for the Israeli position is by definition credible. That’s how that works, you see. Oh and by the way, Israel refused to allow Dugard on a fact-finding mission on it’s 2006 Gaza offensive, evidently because he can not be relied upon to see the correct ’side’. So I bet that means he doesn’t even know what he’s talking about…or something.

Tags: Israel, occupation