Israel as a rogue state: recent events

Yesterday the New York Times reported that an amendment to a 1969 Israeli order will take effect on Tuesday. The original report can be read here, and the amendment is here. The order provides the legal framework for deporting, imprisoning, and/or fining “infiltrators” in the West Bank. The original order is astounding in its wickedness – e.g. someone without the requisite (Israeli-issued) papers who has entered from a bordering state and who is “armed” (where this includes any “device or material” which can cause sever injury), or who is even “in the company” of such an “armed” person, is subject to a life sentence. If not armed, you are luckily eligible for only up to fifteen years in prison.

The new amendment reduces the “life sentence” to twenty years. In general the amendments to punishments appear to be reductions. However what worries human rights groups is the expansion of the legal definition of “infiltrator.” Previously the order had a definition that at least corresponded to commonsense: someone knowingly entering “the Area” (=West Bank) illegally. Now the word “infiltrator” includes anyone found who doesn’t have (Israeli-issued) paperwork. Indeed, an infiltrator into the West Bank can be someone born and raised in the West Bank.

This comes in the midst of two other noteworthy events in Israeli policy. The first was the announcement of continued expansion of illegal settlements during Biden’s visit. This elicited pretended rage on the part of American officials, who follow nearly every criticism of Israel with affirmation of how “special” and “strong” their relationship is. More recently, Netanyahu decided not to attend Obama’s nuclear conference, consistent with Israel’s longstanding defiance of international norms and refusal to acknowledge what everyone has known since the 70′s.

UPDATE: On the amendment, There is a more detailed report by Amira Hass in Haaretz (widely considered Israel’s leading newspaper). Today the Haaretz editors also published a brief critical statement. The editorial points out an obvious contrast that I missed: “While all Jews can settle wherever they wish, in Israel or in the territories, Israel is trying to deprive the Palestinians of even the minimal right to choose where to live in the West Bank or Gaza.”