Commenter Profile

Total number of comments: 20 (since 2009-08-09 02:03:17)

jdledell

Showing comments 20 - 1
Page: 1

• Avnery says UN vote could bring violence/crackdown to West Bank
  • jdledell September 5, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    The real problem will come from the outposts rather than the built up settlements. The outpost settlers are paranoid fanatics and they are all armed. Come September every Palestinian they see, man woman or child will be target practice time. These people will be the spark that ignites a real tragedy.

• Why I call myself a Zionist
  • jdledell August 31, 2011 at 8:48 pm with 1 replies

    Annie - I don't disagree about the sham this offer involved but the way Erekat described it was after weeks of discussions and exchanges of maps, Abbas and Olmert knew what the sticking points were. Even though Abbas was not allowed to take the map with him he got a good enough look at it to see how Olmert addressed the contentious points - namely the 3 settlements. Review the Rice University files and you can see what I'm talking about.

  • jdledell August 31, 2011 at 8:44 pm with 2 replies

    ToivoS - You have a way of getting to the crux of the problem. When you ask is Israel willing to give up these 3 settlements, a better question is what is the status of these 3 settlements going to be. They will not under any circumstances abandoned with the residents being forced to move back to Israel. Israel will fight like hell to keep them under Israeli sovereignty but in the end, I think Ariel will definitely have to become Palestinian because it simply is geographically too disruptive to a Palestinian state.

    Har Homa, which was specifically set up to disrupt East Jerusalem. It disrupts the flow in the Bethlehem - East Jerusalem - Ramallah corridor. This settlement really upsets Palestinians and I believe will have to end up in Palestinian territory.

    Ma'ale Adumim in addition to being the biggest (about 40,000 people) of the problematic settlements is one where I think a compromise can be found to keep it in Israeli hands. Right now it's municipal boundries are bigger than Tel Aviv and extend all the way to Jericho so it would have to be circumscribed to it's present built up area. A system of overpasses (underpasses) over Route 1 should take care of transportation issues.

  • jdledell August 31, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    jonah - The reason Abbas has not negotiated is that in his first session with Netanyahu he tried to present an offer and Netanyahu refused to even look at it. He refuses to negotiate borders or Palestinian concerns until all Israeli concerns on security, water, commerce, foreign affairs, military and security are all resolved first.

    That is not negotiation - that is dictation.

  • jdledell August 31, 2011 at 7:14 pm with 5 replies

    annie - Israeli politicians lie like all other politicians. If Olmert was speaking Hebrew to a Jewish audience there is no way he is telling the truth. I have more faith in what Saeb Erekat laid out in one of Nusseibeh's forums that I attended. Olmert may have said it was on a napkin to impress his audience but Erekat says it was a real map.

  • jdledell August 31, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    eljay - Perhaps it is only semantics but I advocate Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people rather than a Jewish state. As I said earlier, democracy and demographics ultimately are the determining factor. It is my wish that Jews maintain their majority but it is up to them to make it happen. Nonetheless, whatever people populate Israel they should ALL bet treated equally, unlike present day Israel.

    As to a demilitarized state, I only advocate no heavy weapons, tanks, fighter jets etc. Why would Palestinians want to waste their money in an arms race with Israel anyway. I don't believe it's a big concession and my understanding is Abbas has already agreed to it.

    As to accountability, I would have to understand a bit more of what you have in mind to agree or disagree.

  • jdledell August 31, 2011 at 5:50 pm with 12 replies

    My understanding is the two sides were not that far apart when Olmert proposed his best and final offer to Abbas. My sources thru Sari Nusseibeh at Al Quds University (I've been to a number of the forums he holds there) indicate that Olmert's last offer was a swap of territory equal to 6.8% of the West Bank. Other sources indicate it was 7%. Abbas made a counteroffer of a swap of 1.9% of the West Bank. The difference between the two proposals boils down to Har Homa, Ma'ale Adumim and Ariel.

    Frankly there has got to be a way to resolve a mere 5% of the territory, perhaps an Israeli purchase from the Palestinian state of the extra land at $20,000/dumam. Or a swap of better land than the Judean desert. Unfortunately, Netanyahu wants to start at ground zero again thinking he's a big alpha negotiator and can get Israel a better deal. That kind of thinking will yield nothing.

    The James Baker Institute at Rice University has a very detailed paper about land division between Israel and Palestine. I highly recommend it.

    link to bernardavishai.info

  • jdledell August 31, 2011 at 3:03 pm with 4 replies

    eljay - The essence of what you propose and my proposal are not so different. I am not wedded to my particular proposal, especially since I know how problematic Har Homa, Ma'ale Adumim and Ariel are to a viable Palestinian state. Of course, it is absolutely essential that the Palestinian state controls it's borders both with Jordan as well as the Mediterranean sea as well as air rights and all water resources in their territory.

  • jdledell August 31, 2011 at 1:45 pm with 45 replies

    There has been a lot of criticism of what I wrote, but I would find it helpful if I could get some sense of what all of you think the solution should be.
    1 - Status Quo? or
    2 - Complete democratic bi-national state from the river to the sea, with the right of return or without? or
    3 - Two states based strictly on 67 lines,
    a - with right of return
    b - without right of return
    c - without right of return but with compensation
    4 - Borders based on the original UN partition.
    5 - Some modification of 67 borders similar to what I attempted.

    What is the way out of this intolerable situation that is possible and not some pie in the sky scheme?

  • jdledell August 31, 2011 at 12:30 pm with 20 replies

    Woody and Haytham - Let me respond to your points. When I advocate for a Jewish state, I am only suggesting that a majority of the state be Jewish so it can keep it's democratic basis. I abhor the "Jim Crow" (or worse) treatment of the Palestinian Israelis. I absolutely do not condone the behavior of my relatives and their land grab. They are wrong and if, and when, a Palestinian state comes into being they will either move back to Israel or pay the Palestinian government for their land and become Palestinian citizens subject to their laws and taxes.

    As to why I return to Israel all the time, that is the place where I need to make changes. I cannot help Palestinians from my American armchair. I cannot change settler attitudes from thousands of miles away. Here is an example of what I mean from a year ago - my contribution to the Gaza Flotilla:

    link to tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com

    I am not the enemy of Palestinians just because I believe in a Jewish homeland with a Jewish majority and a Palestinian minority. I believe in a homeland for the Palestinian people with an Palestinian majority and a Jewish minority. These positions are not set in stone because democracy and demographics trumps all other considerations.

    I don't see re-fighting 1948 or 1967 as getting these two peoples closer to a solution with the ability to live in peace and prosper. I believe Palestinian refugees deserve compensation for their losses in 1948 similar to the Holocaust compensation. I believe some Palestinians, original inhabitants, deserve the right of return.

    Anne - Is my proposed solution fair and just? Hell no, it is not fair to the Palestinians. However, it is a solution I believe both sides can live with. In my 67 years of Life, I have learned the perfect is rarely implemented but that possible ain't so bad especially compared with no solution or change. I will continue to fight for a solution to this terrible situation. I may be a small thin voice but I will continue to use whatever resources I have to change the situation on the ground for the betterment of both peoples.

• IDF training settlers for riot policing in anticipation of 'mass disorder' following Palestinian UN push
  • jdledell August 30, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    The real problem with arming settlers (as if they don't already have enough firepower) is not going to occur in the built up settlements. At these locations the IDF will be present and SHOULD be able to control the situation so that it does not deteriorate into extensive shooting.

    Instead the problem is going to occur at remote illegal outposts with relatively few settlers. These outposts are scattered everywhere and it will be impossible for the IDF to defend all of them. The people living in these outposts are going to shoot on sight any Palestinian or group that approaches. These are the true paranoid crazies who are going to start a real war.

• What I've witnessed on the West Bank
  • jdledell August 29, 2011 at 11:03 am with 4 replies

    To ALL - Thank you for your commentary. In response to the many questions and issues raised, I offer the following:
    1 - To answer why I don't photograph these abuses, it is because I had polio when I was 2 years old and I get around using crutches. The phone is in my pocket and by the time I can get it out without falling down, the episode is over.
    2 - The episodes concerning the IDF were at small roadblocks/checkpoints and involved maybe 6-10 soldiers - not a major crossing between the West bank and Israel.
    3 - As to why I did not report the wrongdoing to authorities, I did. They gave a cursory listen, thanked me and sent me on my way. At the pissing/shooting episode I was only at the checkpoint because I was bringing some legal papers for my IDF nephew (not the shooter) to sign and he begged me not to get involved for fear of retaliation. I did anyway but nothing ever came of it.
    4 - Most of the abusive events I witnessed were committed by armed settlers yet no one commented on settlers activities.

  • jdledell August 29, 2011 at 10:33 am

    POA - Clemons did not muzzle me. It seemed like the Washington Note went into hibernation. Steve stopped posting blog entries on I/P after he kicked Nadine out. Unfortunately, the other place I posted frequently, TPM Cafe, also died out. I've decided to make Phil's home my new place to comment.

  • jdledell August 28, 2011 at 9:41 am with 24 replies

    jonah - I've been talking about these and other I/P issues for years on Blogs - google jdledell. B'Tselem cannot and has not documented every single episode of abuse - they cannot be everywhere. Unless it is a major abuse event the Israeli press rarely covers it. These are events I personally witnessed. I'm a 67 year Jew and have no reason to spout Palestinian propaganda. I'll give you the same advice I gave to eee - go spend some time in the West Bank and see for yourself. If you are Jewish go to Kiryat Arba and talk to some settlers there, I'm sure some of them will proudly regale you with tales of their escapades.

  • jdledell August 28, 2011 at 7:33 am with 3 replies

    Yes - Anne, that was me. I'm trying to put all that information together in a book or at least a long form magazine article.

• Independent: How Israel takes its revenge on boys who throw stones
  • jdledell August 27, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    eee - I have had enough of your hasbara. I am also a Jewish Israeli citizen but currently living in the US (dual citizenship has it's advantages). My grandfather was Irgun. He readily admitted he was a Jewish terrorist fighting for Independence. In his journals and photographs you can find many dozens of episodes where not only British soldiers were killed but also innocent arabs. He personally shot arabs as well as prepared fertilizer bombs that were set off in arab marketplaces to intimidate the local population. Frankly, he felt his and his fellow Irgun terrorism was justified no matter what it took to achieve a Jewish state. This rationalization ended when he participated in the Deir Yassin massacre and he promptly left Israel. Terrorism in pursuit of Independence is okay for Jews but not for others.

    When I lived in Israel as well as now when I return twice a year for extended Holiday visits with my relatives I have witnessed enough unnecessary violence and degradation by Jews in the West Bank to fill a very large book. I have seen IDF soldiers at a check point pissing on Palestinian shoes. In this instance, the Palestinian man tried to take a swing at the soldier who merely stepped back and shot the man in the chest. I watched two young teenagers near Kiryat Arba force a Palestinian family at gunpoint to get on their hands and knees and bark like a dog while a jeep full of IDF soldiers 20 feet away laughed. I have watched settlers at Bat Ayin use Palestinian sheep and goats for target practice and then have the nerve to retrieve the animals for their own feasts. I have watched settlers from Itamar cutting down Palestinian Olive trees in broad daylight with the IDF sitting in their vehicles 50 meters away watching the destruction. I have watched wholesale fondling of Palestinian women's breasts by the IDF and armed settlers usually when the husband was present to degrade the man in front of others.

    I could go on and on from my 50+ years in Israel. My entire side of the family, all 35 of them, reside in the settlements. I know settlers intimately because that is where I spend my Israeli time. To get a true flavor of the occupation I suggest you meander around the west bank for a while and keep your eyes open. If you are a true Jew to your faith, you will be disgusted. If that doesn't do it go to shul in Kiryat Arba, Bat Ayin and Itamar. You will hear words of hatred that will make your hair stand straight up. Go on, and then report back to us.

• 'NYT' and Bronner blaze mainstream trail with story likening occupation to Jim Crow
  • jdledell July 29, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    annie - Yes I have but I've told many of the stories from his journals on various sites like TPM, Washington Note, Moderate Voice etc. I think you are right that telling the whole story in a cohesive way would be more enlightening as well as conveying the nuances of his time in Israel. I can assure you that Begin does not come out looking good in his journals.

  • jdledell July 27, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Fred - I am an Israeli citizen and my grandfather was Irgun. Let me assure you that MANY more arabs were killed by Jews in the period 1929 to 1948, even when you factor in the Hebron massacre. In addition to my grandfather shooting British soldiers he used his pharmacy training to make fertilizer bombs that were placed in donkey carts filled with produce and detonated at arab marketplaces as well as passing British motorcades. He personally killed dozens, a fact that he was not proud of but felt necessary to achieve independence. I have his journals from those years including the remorse he felt in participating in Deir Yassin. It was at that point he dropped his rifle and took the next boat out of Haifa to his native France and then to America.

    Don't spout your crap that Jews are goody two shoes because the current IDF in many ways is the successor to the Irgun. The ratio of Palestinians killed vs Jews is about 10-1. If anything, Jews should not be allowed outside the green line because it is much more dangerous than the reverse.

• Breaking the Silence publishes shocking testimonies from women who served Occupation
  • jdledell January 30, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    Last year when I was in Kiryat Arba visiting my niece, I was walking toward Hebron on a beautiful warm afternoon. Walking on the path toward me was a Palestinian family, a man, his wife and three children all of who looked less than 10. Two settler youths who looked to be no more than 16 intercepted them and the one carrying an assault rifle ordered the man to his knees pointing his gun at his head. First in Hebrew and then in broken arabic he ordered the man to walk around on his hands and knees barking like a dog. These are the kind of humiliations designed to break the Palestinians in order to encourage emigration.

    I was appauled and immediately went to an IDF jeep parked about 30 feet away with 4 soldiers laughing hysterically at the scene. I demanded that they put a stop to this travesty but all they did was to tell me to F/off and get lost. When I complained about the abuse to my IDF nephew, Captain, Golani, he told me to shut up and not make an issue of it or I could get arrested.

    In my 50 years of going back and forth to Israel I have seen literally hundreds of these despicable and humiliating episodes. Israel is losing it's Jewish soul and the country will soon follow unless a fundemental change in it's approach to Palestinians comes soon.

• Ehud Olmert struggles to give Univ. of Chicago lecture amid protests
  • jdledell October 17, 2009 at 6:19 pm with 3 replies

    Not that I have any love or respect for Olmert, but I strongly disagree with attempts to silence people using disruptive tactics. It's important to Democracy and the right of free speech that all sides can have their say, even when we strongly and emotionally disagree with their views. Hell, I even read the Jerusalem Post everyday just to understand the other side. While I've come close, I have yet to hurl my breakfast while reading the JP.

Showing comments 20 - 1
Page: 1