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While anti-semitic ideologies and persecution of Jews persist, the Jewish state of Israel has also been responsible for genocide and ethnic cleansing, often backed by major political allies.
Between 1947 and 1949, at least 750,000 Palestinians from a 1.9 million population were made refugees beyond the borders of the state. Zionist forces had taken more than 78 percent of historic Palestine, ethnically cleansed and destroyed about 530 villages and cities, and killed about 15,000 Palestinians in a series of mass atrocities, including more than 70 massacres with the backing and support of it’s political allies all in the name of religion.
It all started back On November 2, 1917. Britain's Foreign Secretary Lord Balfour wrote a letter to the leader of the Zionist movement, Baron Rothschild, stating that the government viewed "with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people", and would use its "best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object".
In that letter, Balfour said “nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine"
However, by 1919, Balfour wrote in a memorandum “In Palestine we do not propose even to go through the form of consulting the wishes of the present inhabitants of the country... Zionism be it right or wrong is more important than the wishes of 700,000 Arabs,"
At that time, the Arab population comprised some 94 percent of the population of Palestine.
The Balfour Declaration, and its implementation by the British mandate in Palestine from 1920, culminated in Israel's creation in 1948, and the wholesale dispossession of the Palestinian people.
So, in 1917, before the start of the British Mandate (1920-1947), the British issued the Balfour Declaration, promising to help the "establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people."
What made the British Empire so keen on establishing an Israel State?
A Britain-based Russian Zionist leader and chemist named Chaim Weizmann, was well-connected in the British government, with friends in high places, due to his contributions to the British war effort during World War I.
For 2 years, Weizmann lobbied for the British to publicly commit Britain to building a homeland for the Jews in Palestine.
By supporting Zionist goals in Palestine, the British hoped they could shore up support among the significant Jewish populations in the US and Russia and believed the Balfour Declaration would secure their control over Palestine.
So, with the help of Britain, Zionist immigration to Palestine commenced.
When the Nazis gained power in Germany between 1933 and 1936, The British Empire sent an estimated 60,000 European Jews to Palestine, seizing this as an opportunity to follow through with the Balfour Declaration, for Israel to have a “holy religious” independent sovereignty.
As a result, in 1936, Palestinian Arabs launched a large-scale uprising against the British and their support for Zionist settler-colonialism, known as the Arab Revolt.
The British authorities crushed the revolt, which lasted until 1939, violently; they destroyed at least 2,000 Palestinian homes, put 9,000 Palestinians in concentration camps and subjected them to violent interrogation, including torture, and deported 200 Palestinian nationalist leaders.
Not surprisingly, Weizmann became Israel's first president.
However, Britain soon became targets of the Israel Zionists, who declared war on Britain in 1944 for seeking to limit Jewish immigration.
Zionists quickly militarized and organized a number of attacks against the British. Including the King David Hotel bombing in 1946 where the British administrative headquarters were housed; 91 people were killed in the attack.
By 1947, the British government announced it would be handing over the disaster it had created in Palestine to the United Nations who on November 29, 1947, adopted Resolution 181, recommending the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Allocating 55 percent of the land to the Zionists who only made up 6% of the population.
Unsurprisingly, following the UN Resolution 181, war broke out between the Palestinian Arabs and Zionist armed groups, who, unlike the Palestinians, had gained extensive training and arms from fighting alongside Britain in World War II.
From December 1947 to mid-May 1948, Zionist armed groups expelled about 440,000 Palestinians from 220 villages.
By May 15, some of the most infamous massacres had already been committed; including the Baldat al-Sheikh massacre on December 31, 1947, killing up to 70 Palestinians; the Sa'sa' massacre on February 14, 1948, when 16 houses were blown up and 60 people lost their lives; and the Deir Yassin massacre on April 9, 1948, when 110 Palestinian men, women and children were slaughtered.
Between 1947 and 1949, at least 750,000 Palestinians from a 1.9 million population were made refugees beyond the borders of the state. Zionist forces had taken more than 78 percent of historic Palestine, ethnically cleansed and destroyed about 530 villages and cities, and killed about 15,000 Palestinians in a series of mass atrocities, including more than 70 massacres with the backing and support of it’s political allies all in the name of religion.
Massacres and ethnic cleansing continued throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Today, Israel continues to oppress and dispose of Palestinians.
The 3M Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, reportedly face home demolitions, arbitrary arrests, and displacement. Their movement is restricted by military checkpoints and the Separation Wall that has obstructed their ability to travel freely.
The Gaza Strip, which is home to some 2 M Palestinians, has been under Israeli siege for over 10 years.
According to activist groups, some 50 laws are based on a religious code that discriminates against those who are not devout Jews.
Every year on May 15, Palestinians around the world, numbering about 12.4 million, mark the Nakba, or "catastrophe", referring to the ethnic cleansing of Palestine that commenced in 1948.
Palestinians observing Nakba face criminal charges and risk of death in Israel.
It is clear from the present situation in the State of Israel, that Jewish religious extremist and false ideologies are responsible for the genocide, ethnic cleansing and war, in that region. They are an impediment to the establishment of peace in security in that region and globally.
Examining the Connection between Human Rights Violations in Israel and Religious-based Laws Israel, a nation known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, has long been a subject of international scrutiny due to its human rights record. With a complex blend of political, social, and religious dynamics, Israel's legal framework has at times been criticized for enabling human rights violations, specifically concerning laws rooted in religious ideas. This article aims to explore and analyze the alleged connection between Israel's human rights violations and the influence of religious-based laws. Understanding Israel's Legal System Israel's legal system is a unique blend of civil law, common law, and religious law. As a Jewish state, religious law carries significant weight in the country's legal framework, particularly in personal status matters such as marriage, divorce, and conversion. The religious laws governing these aspects are primarily based on traditional interpretations of Jewish scripture. Human Rights Concerns Certain practices within its legal system have led to concern over potential human rights violations. Critics argue that religious laws have adversely affected the rights of minority groups, most notably Palestinians, Arab-Israelis, and non-Orthodox Jewish communities. Discrimination against Minority Groups One prominent issue is the alleged discrimination against the Arab-Israeli community. Critics claim that certain laws and policies prioritize Jewish citizens in areas such as land allocation and national infrastructure planning, leading to the marginalization and limited access to resources for non-Jewish citizens. Moreover, non-Orthodox Jewish communities have argued that religious laws determining personal status create inequality by restricting marriages, divorces, and conversions, leaving many individuals with limited options and requiring them to seek approval from religious authorities not aligned with their own beliefs. Religious Nationalism and Settlement Expansion Another contentious topic is the Israeli government's support of settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories. The establishment of settlements and associated infrastructure has raised concerns about potential human rights abuses, including the displacement of Palestinian communities, restricted movement, and limited access to natural resources. Some critics argue that these actions are motivated by religious nationalism, with religious-based laws serving as the justification for using state resources to facilitate the expansion and protection of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. Freedom of Expression and Religion Freedom of expression and religion is another area of concern. Israel has faced criticism for imposing restrictions on dissenting voices, particularly those critical of the state's policies towards Palestinians. Critics claim that this suppression of freedom of expression hinders constructive dialogue and undermines democratic principles. Similarly, religious pluralism issues arise from restrictions on non-Orthodox religious practices in Israel. Non-Orthodox Jews often face limitations in conducting their religious ceremonies, accessing funding, and maintaining communal spaces, which further perpetuates a divide based on religious observance.
Examining Israel's Conflict-Related Human Rights Violations: Accusations and Analysis
1. Right to life and security (Article 6, Universal Declaration of Human Rights): Accusations include unlawful killings, excessive use of force, and targeted assassinations.
2. Freedom of movement (Article 13, Universal Declaration of Human Rights): Accusations include restrictions on movement, checkpoints, and the separation wall, impacting Palestinians' ability to access education, work, and healthcare.
3. Right to self-determination (Article 1, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights): Accusations include territorial annexation, settlement constructions, and displacement of Palestinians.
4. Arbitrary detention and torture (Articles 9 and 5, Universal Declaration of Human Rights): Accusations include the arbitrary detention of Palestinians, including children, and allegations of mistreatment, including torture.
5. Discrimination and apartheid (Article 7, International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid): Accusations include differential treatment, inequality, and systemic discrimination against Palestinians.
6. Freedom of expression and assembly (Articles 19 and 20, Universal Declaration of Human Rights): Accusations include restrictions on peaceful protests, freedom of speech, and the targeting of journalists.