Isn’t Israel occupying Palestinian land?
No. Israel is not occupying anyone’s Land. The term “occupation” properly understood, refers to the military takeover of a sovereign nation by another sovereign nation. For example, the U.S. would properly be referred to as an occupying force in Iraq at this time, but with Palestine the situation is much different. Often when greater public refers to the “occupation,” they are referring to Israel’s former presence in the Gaza and current presence in the West Bank. Israel’s presence in both of those two regions was made necessary because of hostilities emanating from Jordan, and Egypt in the 6-Day War. From 1948 – 1967, the West Bank and Gaza were under Jordanian and Egyptian control. They are the last portions of the British mandate not assigned to any sovereign nation. Israel was attacked in June of 1967 from the West Bank, by Jordan and from Gaza by Egypt. Such military action necessitated Israel entering those areas and, according to the international rules of law, taking control an
