Sorry Bibi, Palestinians Are Not «Ethnic Cleansing» Jewish Settlers

Jonathan A. Greenblatt

Using words that hint of genocide for crass political ends is beneath the standards of "Israel".

If "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's purpose was to criticize the Palestinian leadership, there are many issues he could have raised in his latest short video posted on Sept. 9.

He could ... have raised their demonization of "Israel" through anti-Semitic conspiracy theories or their repeated rejection of any Jewish connection to the Land of "Israel". He could have pointed to how the Palestinian Authority has abandoned the path of direct negotiations for a quixotic quest to delegitimize "Israel" in international organizations.

Instead, the "Israeli" prime minister chose to raise an inappropriate straw man regarding Palestinian policy toward "Israeli" settlements.

Netanyahu claimed that the Palestinian demand that no "Israeli" settlers remain in a Palestinian state, in the eventuality of a peace agreement, constitutes "ethnic cleansing." He argued that just as "Israel" accepts and treats "Israel's" Arab citizens with respect, so too should Palestinians accept and respect "Israeli" Jewish settlers.

This line of reasoning ignores the complexity of the settlement issue.

...

Instead of speaking of "ethnic cleansing," Netanyahu would have been better served making two legitimate points about "Israeli" settlers. First, the prime minister could have noted that all serious negotiations about a two-state solution over the years include territory swaps in which the settlement blocs - the major "Israeli" population centers near the Green Line - would become part of "Israel".

Second, he could have said that when and if a two-state agreement is concluded, if some settlers desire to continue living where they are [with the understanding that they will be living under Palestinian sovereignty - and without the protection of the "Israel" Forces] then that is a legitimate negotiating position Palestinians need to consider. If this situation becomes a reality, questions of respect, tolerance, and security become extremely relevant.

But this is a hypothetical that may very well never come to pass. Netanyahu is well aware of the necessity to provide security to settler communities. That concern has led those involved in negotiating a resolution to the "Israeli"-Palestinian conflict to favor including the majority of settlers within "Israel". Territorial compromise presents less of a challenge than creating a large minority of Jewish residents in a Palestinian state.

"Israel" has many concerns about Palestinian policies and behavior, not the least of which is Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's rash accusations that "Israel" commits acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. However, the charge that the Palestinians seek "ethnic cleansing" of settlers is just not one of them.

Like the term "genocide," the term "ethnic cleansing" should be restricted to actually describing the atrocity it suggests - rather than distorted to suit political ends.

Source: FP, Edited by website team