Sharon On Language
Yesterday, Prime Minister Sharon referred to the West Bank as "occupied" territory. Today, he stated that it is actually "disputed" territory. Others rationalized that Sharon meant that Israel's presence in major Palestinian cities is occupation, but not Israel's presence in unpopulated areas.
Regardless, Sharon's comments have received worldwide attention and were very misguided. Referring to the areas captured in 1967 as occupied undermines any Israeli claims to even part of those territories, and implies that the settlement movement lacks a moral basis. Indeed, if the term "occupied territories" is accurate, then Israeli settlement in those areas is illegal, as Arabs have argued over the last three decades.
Sharon's point about it not being in Israel's interest to rule over 3 million Arabs is well taken, but, even in the context of calling for territorial compromise, he and other Israelis and supporters of Israel must be careful to express that point in a manner that does not waive the legitimate Jewish claim to Judea and Samaria.
posted on 5/27/2003
