Palestinian Territory

Palestinian “Freedom Riders"

After attempting to ride an “Israeli” bus to into Jerusalem, six Palestinian activists were detained by Israeli police on Tuesday. Palestinians are not allowed into Jerusalem without a permit issued by Israeli officials and, although there are no official laws that ban Palestinians from riding Israeli buses, it has become a social rule and many bus drivers have refused to pick up Palestinians at bus stops. It is reported that the occupied territory in the West Bank, Palestine, is “home to 2.5 million Palestinians and some 300,000 Jewish occupiers”. Although it is against “international law” to create settlements, Israel has been occupying and building settlements in Palestine with increasing numbers in recent years.

Many Palestinians have been attempting acts of peaceful protest to fight what they believe is discrimination against Palestinians by Israeli officials and policies. There are still many along the Gaza Strip that are lacking access to clean food and water. Palestine’s bid for statehood is still undecided, but many Palestinian civilians want their voices heard. So why is Israel restricting Palestinians from coming into Jerusalem if it is claiming the West Bank as its own territory? Israeli officials are claiming the limitations are for safety purposes. Many citizens of Israel claim they are “afraid” of Palestinians riding their buses, which seems to be supported by Israel’s segregated policies. Contrary to popular belief of American officials, it would appear that Israel has no intentions of “making nice” or working peacefully and diplomatically with Palestine. If Israel is really breaking international law, why is there not more attention paid to the issue? Why will the Security Council of the United Nations not approve Palestine’s big for statehood because they are trying to encourage diplomatic progress and compromise, but will not take a stand against Israel and its inhumane and disrespectful acts against Palestine? It seems like many in the west have already taken the side of Israel and are now simply attempting to seem diplomatic and fair, so that when Palestine looks for another method of getting what it wants, the US, France, and England look like the “good guys”.

Liberal

http://www.tehrantimes.com/index.php/middle-east/92593-palestinian-freedom-riders-arrested-in-israel

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15744576

November 17, 2011 at 01:17 am