Nov 29 2009
The prisoners’ case, a reflection on the conflict
By Daoud Kuttab
If you ever want to have a single case that can illustrate all the sources of disagreement in the Middle East all you need to do is look at the Shalit prisoner exchange deal.
Legally Israel refuses to recognize the over ten thousand prisoners it is holding to be prisoners of war because that assumes that there is a war involved in the region. Nor does it accept that they are protected individuals for which the Geneva Convention applies. The Convention regulates how an occupying power is supposed to deal with civilians under its occupation. Israel doesn’t accept that it is an occupying power. Palestinians considers their lands occupied and demand an Israeli end to the occupation in order for the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance to international commitments. Continue Reading »