Noam Chomsky: That’s one of the most serious crises in the world. The United States and Israel are in grave violation of international humanitarian law. It’s not my opinion, it’s the opinion of the world’s highest judicial authority, the International Court of Justice, which declared that the provisions of the Geneva Conventions applied to the occupied territories, which means that all movement of population into those areas, all the settlements, are illegal. The court determined authoritatively that the wall that Israel is building, which is clearly, by now, an annexation wall, is in ipso facto of violation of international humanitarian law, in so far is it’s there to protect settlers, which is may be 80% to 85% of it.
The [George W.] Bush administration is the first one to have officially declared support for Israel’s policies, of take over, of what’s valuable to it in the occupied territories, which makes the two countries in severe; and of course the U.S. funds it and provides the diplomatic and military support required for it.
U.S. power centers appear to be pretty happy with this. The U.S. corporations, for example, don’t seem to object to having a highly militarized ally with high technology, very loyal, because it has no choice, once it decided to move towards preferring expansion to security, as it did years ago. Technically they are capable of pursuing the policies that they are following.
The major Arab states may not like it, but they’re not going to try to do anything about it. The rest of Europe refuses to take more than a passive role.
The Palestinians, the nation is being destroyed. That’s a rare event in history, for a nation to face destruction; but it’s happening. The United States and Israel at the moment, and in effect for many years, have been internationally isolated in their refusal to accept diplomatic settlement in accord with what has been an overwhelming international consensus; some kind of two-state settlement on the international border with some modification of borders, and they still are rejecting it, alone.
The Arab states have explicitly come out in favor of it. Iran has a stated its agreement with the position of the Arab states. Hamas has called for it. Europe, of course, and non-aligned countries of course, but the U.S. has overwhelming power in that region. And if it stands in the way of the settlement, it won’t take place. Now, with all the conflicts this can lead to, and for the local populations very serious, but even with ramifications elsewhere.
Recorded on: March 21, 2008
Discuss
Denis Sheeran on March 31, 2008, 10:03 AM
What confuses me, is why is nobody commenting on this? Isn't Prof. Chomsky a huge commenting magnet?!
Denis Sheeran on March 31, 2008, 2:03 PM
What confuses me, is why is nobody commenting on this? Isn’t Prof. Chomsky a huge commenting magnet?!
Hege Pedersen on May 5, 2008, 2:22 PM
I guess people only hear the voices that they want to hear. For me as a European, this is not controversial, I just hope America start listening.
Salwa Alahdal on May 5, 2008, 3:19 PM
Nothing new there, everyone knows that Israel is in violations of every humanitarian law there is. Violating UN sanctions seem to be the norm.
Hege Pedersen on May 5, 2008, 6:22 PM
I guess people only hear the voices that they want to hear. For me as a European, this is not controversial, I just hope America start listening.
Salwa Alahdal on May 5, 2008, 7:19 PM
Nothing new there, everyone knows that Israel is in violations of every humanitarian law there is. Violating UN sanctions seem to be the norm.
ed spilka on May 10, 2008, 2:23 PM
a linguist should be more careful with his words. 95% of the "wall" is a fence and its placement protects the "settlers" only if you consider the citizens of israel as settlers since it separates the territories from israel. the vast majority of the "palestinian nation" lives in jordan and isn't at risk. palestine as a country has never existed. hamas and iran have not "explicitly" accepted a 2 state solution. hamas's charter is dedicated to the destruction of israel. ahmdinejad's statements are well known. israel is far from perfect but its existence is a fact that must be accepted. negotiations can only proceed on that basis. the actions of the arab countries suggest dissonance on this point despite chomsky's spin.
ed spilka on May 10, 2008, 6:23 PM
a linguist should be more careful with his words. 95% of the “wall” is a fence and its placement protects the “settlers” only if you consider the citizens of israel as settlers since it separates the territories from israel. the vast majority of the “palestinian nation” lives in jordan and isn’t at risk. palestine as a country has never existed. hamas and iran have not “explicitly” accepted a 2 state solution. hamas’s charter is dedicated to the destruction of israel. ahmdinejad’s statements are well known. israel is far from perfect but its existence is a fact that must be accepted. negotiations can only proceed on that basis. the actions of the arab countries suggest dissonance on this point despite chomsky’s spin.
Oron Zachar on May 12, 2008, 1:19 PM
Hamas explicitly a vocally never accepted the existance of Israel in any shape or form. Chomsky explicitly and delibarately misinform and swist even the simplest of facts, knowing the general public is ignorant of them as well. I assume that under Chomsky's rhetorical theory the "truth" of his message propaganda is overiding any fact, like the worst of politicians that he's so fond of criticising.
Oron Zachar on May 12, 2008, 5:19 PM
Hamas explicitly a vocally never accepted the existance of Israel in any shape or form. Chomsky explicitly and delibarately misinform and swist even the simplest of facts, knowing the general public is ignorant of them as well. I assume that under Chomsky’s rhetorical theory the “truth” of his message propaganda is overiding any fact, like the worst of politicians that he’s so fond of criticising.
françois deslippes on May 27, 2008, 12:23 PM
It is funny to see how people concentrate on the words when they can't deny the truth of the idea.People talk a lot but forget Mr.Chomsky get the 3 point of view, Palestinian , Israelis and American , what most people against him does not.(I know my grammar is horrible english is not my first language)
françois deslippes on May 27, 2008, 4:23 PM
It is funny to see how people concentrate on the words when they can’t deny the truth of the idea.People talk a lot but forget Mr.Chomsky get the 3 point of view, Palestinian , Israelis and American , what most people against him does not.(I know my grammar is horrible english is not my first language)
Robert Cusma on May 29, 2008, 10:55 PM
@ zachar and redward…
If you do a quick information check concerning the talks of a two-state solution, there have been numerous cases where the Arabs have been in favor of a two state compromise, but such hopes for settlement on the issues have been pretty much been ignored. Israel continues on the slippery slope by continuing their policy of disregarding the opinion of the these people, and continuing to militarize and "annex" the regions contested. And as for the beliefs of the "radical terrorist" group Hamas, although they would not agree, they are not necessarily distributing the voices of the Arab and Palestinian majority. Much like surrounding government's they are trying to establish and enact their ideals through force and aggression. But, the foundation of these radical ideals should not be ignored, since certain levels of legitimacy can be found in their cries. I think that this legitimacy can be observed and accepted if one reads about the history of the Palestinians & Arabs, and understand why the majority feel the way they do concerning the existence of the Israeli state.
Robert Cusma on May 30, 2008, 2:55 AM
@ zachar and redward…
If you do a quick information check concerning the talks of a two-state solution, there have been numerous cases where the Arabs have been in favor of a two state compromise, but such hopes for settlement on the issues have been pretty much been ignored. Israel continues on the slippery slope by continuing their policy of disregarding the opinion of the these people, and continuing to militarize and “annex” the regions contested. And as for the beliefs of the “radical terrorist” group Hamas, although they would not agree, they are not necessarily distributing the voices of the Arab and Palestinian majority. Much like surrounding government’s they are trying to establish and enact their ideals through force and aggression. But, the foundation of these radical ideals should not be ignored, since certain levels of legitimacy can be found in their cries. I think that this legitimacy can be observed and accepted if one reads about the history of the Palestinians & Arabs, and understand why the majority feel the way they do concerning the existence of the Israeli state.
Yornoc Nivek on July 16, 2008, 1:16 PM
In response to redward; 6 million people live in the gaza strip – thats a lot of people, living in palestine. not Jordan
Yornoc Nivek on July 16, 2008, 5:16 PM
In response to redward; 6 million people live in the gaza strip – thats a lot of people, living in palestine. not Jordan
V Smith on January 4, 2009, 5:48 PM
Israel being the agressor is not even disputable anymore. I’ve noticed a lack of debate regarding the motivations of the US in continuing to support Israel’s ceaseless bullying. Yesterday the UN apparently reached a formal consensus to issue a statement on a ceasefire proposition and it was blocked by one…1…ONE!!! country. In all the members of the UN, a single country opposed. The good ole USA. It’s quite evident what motivates Israel. They’re one of the most densely populated countries on earth. They badly need more land and they’re taking it, bit by bit. Israel’s motivation is crystal clear. What is the motivation of the US in choosing to support this, in total isolation?
Robert turin on January 5, 2009, 1:37 PM
Arabs and much of the world want all Jews dead. period done. after pogroms, inquisitions, expulsions, holocausts and ghettos, any discussion that doesn’t recognize this history is pointless. Unproked failed wars against Israel resulted in expansion. It is not occupied land, it is Israeli territorydead. period done. after progroms, inquisitions, expulsions, holocausts and ghettoization, any discussion that doesn’t recognize this history is pointless. Unproked failed wars against Israel resulted in expansion. It is not occupied land, it is Israeli territory. Does the U.S. plan on returning america to the Indians.
V Smith on January 8, 2009, 1:34 PM
Your submission just validated mine..that Israel is stealing land right now…not 150 years ago during a time of ignorance. They’re doing it now! I don’t know the history of the US as I’m Canadian but Canada did the same, which is why we’ve been paying REPARATIONS to native indians for the last 50 years, and still do today! We have also returned VAST areas of land to them, many of those being very rich in resources. These indian reserves, though still inside the nation of Canada, belong wholly and irrevocably, to the native tribe which laid claim to them. Your submission that much of the world wants all jews dead is completely infantile. Every industrialized country in the world has embraced jewish people and no more disdain is given to their jewish background than to whether they’re right or left handed. This happens even in some arabic countries. Now that I’ve nullified your entire post, I’ll leave you to contemplate (if you even posess this ability) the very motto of the Israeli mossad…“BY DECEIT, WE WAGE WAR”!
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