Gabriel Helou

Israel, the Occupying Power, has an obligation to provide proper shelters to Palestinian civilians whom it orders to evacuate. However, it not only violates its obligation, but also pounds shelters provided by third parties. 

"'Jerusalem' IMAX Movie By National Geographic Is Just Stunning (EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS) ( VIDEO )"

Today marks the 31st anniversary of Sabra and Shatila Massacre . 

Notice how the “war coalition” against Syria has been invoking “conscience”, which is nothing but a pretext to justify military action. But let’s ask an innocent question: where has this “conscience” been as regards the 65-year old Palestinian tragedy? Israel has persistently and systematically violated international law, including the UN Charter and the fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.   Israel has used internationally banned weapons. It has breached almost every provision of International Humanitarian Law. But Israel’s acts haven’t so far shocked the “world conscience”. And it continues to violate international law, with complete impunity. Therefore, it’s a selective   “conscience”   - a   “conscience”   à la carte.

Since the beginning of its occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967, Israel, the Occupying Power, has officially adopted, supported and financed a policy of settling parts of its civilian population in those areas, under the pretext of maintaining its security. Moreover, it has encouraged the “unofficial”building of settlements, in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, through what it refers to as “illegal outposts”. Those outposts are built by Jewish groups without the prior consent or permission of the Israeli Government. However, they eventually obtain retro-active permits as well as all sort of facilities. This direct and indirect settling of Israelis in the abovementioned areas is in breach of the international law, because the occupation itself is at the outset illegal under Article 2/4 of the Charter of the United Nations, and it further constitutes a war crime according to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) [*] . Article 8/2/b/...