Israel Is Wrong

Accepted. Note to Pro that the resolution of Israel being "wrong" is subjective and lacking in additional explanation. Pro then contradicts the resolution by asserting that Israel has the "right" to defend itself and therefore undermines much of their argument. I'll highlight once more that the term "wrong", if not supported with context, is entirely subjective in meaning. Pro may see Israel as wrong but so far they have offered no citations or proven facts to substantiate this claim. Because of this ambiguous definition--which could apply to a number of things--I'll outline my own reasons with supported facts on why Israel is not wrong to defend itself or protect its civilian population, following by rebuttals. History of ConflictThe history of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is indeed expansive and dates back exactly to the 1900's, almost fifty years before Israel was even established. During this period a selection of small Arab terrorist groups began to form with the stated intent of attacking and killing Jews within Palestine, many of which has been settled in the land for a considerably long time. The first significant attack that took place during the Jewish Passover in Jerusalem, 1920, overall six Jews were killed and a number of 200 were injured. Jewish communities within the Galilee and near the Syria border were also targeted and attacked. The reason why these particular cases are relevant is because they were the first in the beginning of a long-standing conflict and most importantly: happened before any large-scale immigration or any establishment of settlements. Rather, the Arabs were rioting against existing members of the Jewish Palestinian community. Another example would be the Jaffa riots when 47 Jews were killed.As explained example of the Jaffa massacre can be found here: “Arabs of Jaffa murderously attacked Jewish inhabitants of the town and Arab raids were made on five Jewish rural settlements; the disorders were suppressed by the police and military forces. Forty-seven Jews were killed and 146 wounded, mostly by Arabs. The hostility shown towards the Jews during the riots was shared by Arabs of all classes; Muslim and Christian Arabs". Later on in 1929 there was the most famous example of the Arab initiated Hebron Massacre, in which 69 Jews were brutally killed and hundreds injured. Other attacks took place again in Jerusalem, Jaffa and the place of Safed. "Murderous attacks were made on the Jews in various parts of the country. The most violent attacks were those against the old established Jewish communities at Hebron and Safed; there were also attacks in Jerusalem and Jaffa and against several Jewish rural settlements. There was little retaliation by Jews, of whom 133 were killed and 339 wounded. (number displayed is in total) The individual behind organizing these attacks was not in fact anyone who had lost land or suffered from displacement, but rather an extremely wealthy Arab named Haj Amin al-Husseini who became the Mufti of Jerusalem and later affiliated himself with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. He was so enthused about gaining the assistance and support of Hitler that he in fact sent 15 drafts of declarations that he wanted Germany and Italy to make concerning the future of Jews in Palestine. One of which, asked the two countries to impose the illegality of a Jewish home in Palestine and further stated that "Arab countries have the right to solve the problem of the Jewish elements in Palestine and other Arab countries". Not only is it requiring that Jews be removed from Palestine, but also that the same apply to all surrounding Arab lands with Jewish residence. Hitler stated that the Arabs and them (Germany) were "natural friends because they had the same enemies as had Germany, namely the Jews". In 1945 Yugoslavia attempted to indict the Mufti (note: the first Palestinian leader) because of his part in recruiting 20,000 Muslim volunteers who contributed heavily to the killing of Jews in Croatia and Hungary. However, he escaped from French detention and continued with fighting Jews in Egypt and Lebanon. Moving towards the establishment of Israel, the 1948 war also provides an example of a newly created state being attacked without any previous provocation. On the very first day of its existence, Israel was targeted by five Arab nations with far superior militaries, when they invaded Israeli territory. Once again Israel was not being launched war against because of settlements, displaced people or as you state in your own argument: Palestinian prisoners (naturally this was before any Palestinians Arabs could be imprisoned), rather it was directly because of a new state, one that was not wanted in the region by Arab countries or leaders, had been created. Two ceasefires were introduced during the conflict, both of which that were violated by Arab armies. Eventually in 1949 the war stopped and agreements on armistice lines were made with Egypt controlling the Gaza and Jordan Jerusalem and the West Bank. This was until Egypt cut off the Teran Straits in 1967, which if unprovoked, is both technically an "act of war" and what led to the six day conflict. Because of Jordanian and Syrian military attack and involvement new territories were gained by Israel, such as the Golan Heights and certain areas, namely those of religious significance, of Jerusalem were legitimately won. It should be highlighted that all wars that have occurred have been initiated by Arab states/groups and not Israel. Article 51 of the UN Charter in fact states: "Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security."Therefore, Israel is legally within rights to defend itself when attacked. Studying more modern cases such as the recent Gaza conflict Israel was also legally justified in retaliating against Hamas because they (Hamas) had made three armed attempts at attacking Israeli towns through underground tunnel infiltration. While rockets, missiles and mortar shells being fired into Israeli territory also played a part, the extensive tunnel network was in fact the main catalyst in Israel committing ground control with the purpose of destroying these tunnels. Within them were found an array of drugs, handcuffs and other kidnapping equipment, along with large supplies of weaponry. Despite being involved in a military conflict with Hamas, Israel also still proceeded to provide aid to Gaza and allowed over 2000 Palestinians to receive medical treatment in Israel. Israel also continued to supply Gaza with electricity despite the fact it was benefiting Hamas. As well as carrying out over 80 infrastructural repairs on electricity, water, communication, and other necessary equipment within Gaza. Israel agreed and adhered to all ceasefires made, Hamas either rejected or violated. Sources: [1.] http://www.camera.org...[2.] http://www.aish.com...[3.] http://history-of-israel.org...[4.] http://www.ushmm.org...[5.] http://www.mythsandfacts.org... [6.] http://www.nato.int... [7.] http://www.businessinsider.com...[8.] http://www.nytimes.com...