Israel to remove 24 illegal West Bank outposts News
Israel to remove 24 illegal West Bank outposts

[JURIST] Following up on a report submitted last week to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon [JURIST report], the Israeli Cabinet Sunday agreed to remove the 24 Jewish outposts established on the Palestinian West Bank since Sharon took power in March 2001. Outposts – unofficial plantings of Isreali citizens in Palestinian territory to prevent the formation of a Palestinian state – are legally distinct from settlements, and their own legality has always been questionable. Former state prosecutor Talia Sasson's report asserted that all 105 West Bank outposts were illegal; the fate of the other 81 outposts will be determined by a special committee. Sharon had pledged to end the use of outposts as part of the international road map to peace. Sharon met with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Sunday evening to inform him of the committment to disband the outposts. Read the Israeli press release on Sharon's meeting with Annan. The Jerusalem Post has local coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Egypt President Anwar Sadat visits Israel

On November 19, 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat visited Israel, becoming the first leader of an Arab nation to officially visit. Two years later, President Sadat became the first Arab leader to recognize Israel by signing the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty. Read President Sadat's address to the Israeli Knesset.

Jay Treaty signed

On November 19, 1794, US Chief Justice John Jay and British foreign secretary Lord Grenville signed a treaty in Philadelphia under which British forces pulled out of the disputed Northwest Territory. Review the Jay Treaty.