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Matthew Mainen

Those arguing against Israeli annexation of its settlements have not adequately addressed the discrepancies in how the laws related to conquest are applied.
That window of opportunity has closed, and the international community’s fixation on Israel has predictably re-emerged.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s upcoming visit to Jerusalem provides the perfect opportunity to begin the process of extending Israeli sovereignty over territory spelled out in the Trump administration’s peace plan.
A close look at the region’s history and relevant international law casts significant doubt on the “occupied territories” dogma. And without an occupation, the legal case against the settlements collapses.
Israel’s decision to deport Human Rights Watch Israel director Omar Shakir for his BDS activism exemplifies the robustness of Israel’s democratic process.
Whether he recognizes it or not, Shakir’s concerning use of a thoroughly debunked legal framework serves a greater purpose: to delegitimize Israel.