Israel PM vows to annex West Bank settlements if re-elected

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47840033

Jordan is losing its mind over the announcement.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/...e-conflict-over-west-bank-annexation-n1207811

Once again Israel is stirring the pot in the ME - this time with the support of Carrot Top which has emboldened the Israeli Leadership.

So what should be done about this latest violation of international law ?

 

Nothing. International law is not binding in any way given it has no enforcement provisions.

 

Just because International law does not have enforcement provisions does not mean that Nations should do nothing.
It is kind of a silly non sequitur you put forward.

When Russia went in an quazi - annexed Crimea - do you also think that Nothing should have been done ? At least in the case of Russia there was a vote among the people - who overwhelmingly supported succession - so there was at least some vestige of Legitimacy.

How did the vote turn out in the West Bank ?

Regardless - your position is as valid as any - and I am glad you bought it up - Your stand is that when Nations of the world start annexing territory from Others - the response should be "nothing".

Did you want to give any further support for this position ?

 

I believe in respecting strength. I believe in respecting the rights of the strong to conquer the weak. I believe that to do otherwise is to invite chaos internationally.

And before you raise an objection, if the weak can solicit other nations to fight for them then they are not weak. But they are substituting diplomatic strength for military strength which is fine by me as well.

 

Note that I have yet to raise an objection - and to be honest your position is not that easy to argue against. That position being that when one Nation annexes territory from others - nothing should be done.

Our first disagreement will not be with your position - but with your support for your position .. that "Might makes Right" is a valid argument - of its own volition - meaning there may be time when valid - others when not.

You believe in "The right of the strong to conquer the weak" That is a heck of a statement - right wrong or otherwise - full marks for speaking your mind.

Not even sure where to begin with that one - when criminal gangs come into the neighborhood - they have the right to conquer the weak.

I think this would lead to chaos in many cases - and that such a stance invites chaos - and not the reverse.

It is interesting that you think that Iran has the right to annex the West Bank - or any other nation - how about China ! Now that would be chaos.

 

Correct the anti semitic international law. Israel won that land in a war.

 

What???

 

It seems like you're essentially saying that anyone is justified in doing anything to anyone else if they're strong enough to get away with it.

Does that apply to any country or just to Israel.

Please correct me if I've misunderstood your assertion.

 

Actually I'm more interested in how it applies to the United States.

 

International law is not anti semetic - it applies to all nations - including Israel.

Israel did not win the West bank in a war.

Wrong on both counts I'm afraid.

 

Your stand is that when nations annex territory from others - the response should be "nothing"

Iran is a nation - as is China ... both which are stronger than the Palestinians.

In your words "it is the right of the strong to conquer the weak".

 

In the below video Ilan Pappe is told that using the word Zionism would in the UK result in being called an antisemite and further that to mention Israel's atrocities would also result in being called an antisemite. The big question is why is the West choosing to go in this dishonest way. Given that it denies the right to be truthful never mind opinions and goes against any belief in human rights, I suspect it is us moving into authoritarian/fascist Regimes where free speech is no longer allowed.

As far as the Palestinians are concerned, I think it is in this video that Pappe points out that Israel already has Area C - over 60% of the West Bank and what was to be the Palestinian State. All that is left is when they feel OK about making it public. I guess that will be when a sufficient number of the people are supporting Fascism and do not support human rights - sadly we are moving there fast.

 

As long as Trump continues to strongly support Israel he will win reelection. The question is; What will they ask of him in the next 5 months?

 

It doesn't mean I believe it applies to nations other than the U.S. and its allies.

Not fair? Not consistent?

I don't give a damn about either concept.

 

It doesn't matter what you think to the equation ... and you are pretending otherwise. Russia/China will do .. what ever they want ... with or without your permission. When Russia Annexed Crimea - they did it without your permission being granted or that of the US.

The Rules apply to Everyone. Some nations have power to coerce other nations into submission - force them to follow the rules - the US being the one with the most power. When we break the rules - the nations we do not have power over - or the cost of exercising that power gets exceedingly high - this gives license to others to do the same - sets a precedent. This is true whether or not you give a damn - which I hope you do - because we are talking about the long term economic security of this nation in many respects - and also the general well being of the world.

The Geopolitical Chessboard has gotten complicated - we no longer have the power - or as strong a position on the board - as we once did.
We used to be so dominant that all we need to was whisper into the ear of some nation and they would come running. We were pretty much the only economic game town - and everyone wanted to play.

Our Opponents have gotten much stronger and are more numerous. When your opponent is strong - you have to make better moves - and Trump is making some blunders - ones that are widely recognized as such - even within his own administration - and even Trump realizes on some level - he is not a stupid man - stupid people do not realize their blunders.

Ramping up the arms race - inciting wars - is costing us in many ways - economic being the big one. It's really expensive to project power these days - at a time when we need to be focused on ramping up our economy to compete in the 3rd millennium - in a world that is far more competitive. Relationships with other nations matter more than ever- we need and rely on these other nations more than every.

Trump has done near everything in his power to harm those relationships - and this is a blunder.

 

What's the problem ?
Jordan is Palestine and Samaria is for the Jews.
Allahhh Akbaarr

 

What ? Where did that come from ?
Pres. Trump will win because he does good for America's economy. Period.

 

The Economy was Trumps biggest Trump card - this is true. That card has been weakened by Corona.
This however is not the only reason -or the main reason - that Trump will lose.

The Demographic Time Bomb is the main reason Red is in trouble. If Blue shows up to the polls - Trump Loses.

 

You know your political opponents have no arguments in their favor when the basis of their belief in their future victories is the crude and coarse "we will out breed you".

 

My argument had nothing to do with breeding anyone out - so you can pack your straw man back in the box.

That certain aspects of the Republican Platform do not appealing to the younger generation - is a simple fact - not some secret.

Abortion is one example - 18-29 are overwhelmingly pro choice - 58% to 36%

only 18% favor abortion being illegal in all cases - and this is the Republican Platform. https://news.gallup.com/poll/235652/young-adults-remain-supportive-abortion-rights.aspx

For the 30-49 demographic - the margin is not as wide 51% to 45% pro-choice- Pro/life again though only 18% want illegal in all circumstances.

Abortion is a loser for Red - in elections past Red tried to avoid the topic as much as possible - a smart thing to do.

Gay marriage is another - the younger demographic is more accepting of Gays than the old Fogies.

 

No it isn't.

 

Yes it is - Republican members of Congress have introduced Bills with that objective in mind - and a whole swath of Red wants abortion illegal except in cases where the mothers health is threatened.

Ideologically the position of Pro Life is that a baby defacto exists at conception and law should be made on that basis - a mindless and unscientific position - but that is where the religious right sits.

 

That is not "banning all abortions" then is it?

 

All abortions except when the life of the mother is at risk is the Red Position - and it is a losing one - regardless of your attempts to obfuscate and engage in mindless nit picking.

 

But they don't need any arguments.