EconTalk
Is Israel Occupying the West Bank? (with Eugene Kontorovich)
Jul 1, 2024
Eugene Kontorovich, a constitutional and international law expert at George Mason University, dismantles the idea that Israel is an occupying force in the West Bank by asserting that legal claims negate the notion of occupation. He discusses the intricate legal landscape since the Oslo Accords and analyzes the implications of Israel's potential annexation of the West Bank. With a focus on the moral dilemmas and the historical complexities surrounding territorial disputes, Kontorovich explores legal rights, governance models, and the challenges of Palestinian self-determination.
01:06:18
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Quick takeaways
- Occupation hinges on legal sovereignty, not all territorial changes are occupations.
- Two-state solution faces hurdles due to rejection, security concerns, and governance complexities.
Deep dives
Occupation Under International Law
Under international law, occupation is defined as one country administering and replacing the local government of another country's territory after taking control during a war. Not every territorial change between countries constitutes an occupation, as seen with examples like Ukraine retaking Crimea or Morocco's actions in Western Sahara. The argument that Israel is occupying the West Bank stems from the takeover from Jordan in 1967, with legal complexities surrounding sovereignty and peace treaties.
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