Observation: Paradox – proposed law favors real Palestinian land owners
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 4 June, 2012

Let’s walk through this:

#1. The proposed law to compensate Palestinian land owners is the fairest
arrangement for them.

Today if a Palestinian decides to file in court to have part of a Jewish
neighborhood torn down because, he claims, it turns out he owns the land it
was built on, the most he can expect to gain from the effort is the
satisfaction of seeing the homes bulldozed. After all, since the land is
in the middle of a Jewish community, beyond the Green Line, there is no way
that the authorities are going to permit him to build a home there. And if
he sells the land to the Jews, our “peace partner” Palestinian Authority
will sentence him to death.

In sharp contrast, under the proposed law, the same Palestinian land owner
would get fair financial compensation for the ex-poste confiscated land.
And since this is a kind of “force majeure” from the standpoint of the
Palestinians, the Palestinian landowner can get fair compensation for his
land and stay alive.

#2. If the Supreme Court is going to void the law then why is this argument
used by opponents of the law?

Minister Begin and other who oppose the law argue that it will be voided by
the Supreme Court and that the law will damage Israel on the international
front.

If the Supreme Court voids the law this will no doubt bring praise for
Israel from the international community – not condemnation. And rest
assured the court will rule on the law in lightning speed.

So if one is certain that the Supreme Court will void the law you cannot at
the same time argue that the law will hurt the Jewish State.

#3. There isn’t a square inch of Jewish construction beyond the Green Line –
including in eastern Jerusalem – that the international community has
welcomed.

The argument that passage of the law will bring international opposition to
Jewish construction beyond the Green Line implies that not passing the law
will somehow keep the Palestinians from playing the settlement card to the
hilt.

There are a myriad of reasons why the Palestinians will or will not choose
to step up their anti-settlement campaign. If PM Netanyahu is serious about
implementing a “ten new Jewish homes for every Jewish home demolished”
policy that could arguably have a greater impact on the anti-settlement
campaign than the implementation of the law would.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il