JotCast | Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World

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Jyoti

8:02

Doyle asks Shehadeh about the depressing global situation regarding human rights and international law, "How do you see that we can actually make sure that these will matter in this conflict and not get ignored as they continually appear to be?"

8:08

Shehadeh responds, "I think the most hopeful possibility is with the International Criminal Court and the work is being done. Of course, US is trying to stop the members of the court from proceeding with its work."

8:09

But, he expresses hope, "If courts succeed, it will be a great deterrence to Israel. Torture and killings of people with drones are practised by US without objection. So it is important that civil society should put pressure on the government to impose sanctions on Israel. And there's a change in people's perception about Israel. So hopefully they'll influence their governments."

“All settlement activity is illegal under international law”. But what purpose do these statements serve when the law is not being enforced?
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Time for Q&A

8:13

Rohan asks Shehadeh, "In your most recent book Going Home, A Walk Through 50 Years of Occupation, you describe your journey through Ramallah and the change that the conflict has brought. What do you think is the meaning of home? How does one identify home? Do you believe a home can ever be destroyed?"

8:15

8:17

Shehadeh responds, "I think, ultimately, one carries home with oneself." He talks of one's journey to arrive at a certain peace with oneself, to face and deal with one's past and disappointments, without being defeated and to be able to feel at one with oneself.

"So I think, home is something that can be carried with you wherever you are, and that sometimes you can be at a physical home and not feel at home," concludes Shehadeh.

8:24

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Authorised by the Israeli government in 1979, the settlement never had a defined area, never had an outline plan approved – and no lawful building permits were issued.

Sanya Bhutani asks Shehadeh, "Do you believe we will someday arrive at a future that leaves military and religious conflict behind? If so, how are we to achieve such a thing?"

"I think, ultimately, there are two nations living in the historic Palestine - the Israeli nation and the Palestinian nation. And there is no way that one can destroy the other, so the only way is to find a way to coexist and cooperate for the good of everybody," responds Shehadeh.

Shehadeh adds, "It is a tiny piece of land that is not very rich and is dependent on foreign support and might not last forever." He advises that it is better if we stop the conflict that threatens the region and expresses hope, "I think we will do this at one point."