MK vows to ‘raise awareness of Israel's rights'

As MK Danny Danon (Likud) participates in 90th anniversary of the San Remo Conference.

By ABE SELIG
Danon (photo credit: courtesy)
Danon
(photo credit: courtesy)
To mark the 90th anniversary of the San Remo Conference, at which the Allied powers incorporated the Balfour Declaration into international law by pledging to give the Jews a national home in Palestine, several events were held over the weekend held in the Italian resort town.
All of the events were organized by the European Coalition for Israel in conjunction with Canadian Supporters for Israel’s Rights, who wrote in an introductory note for the weekend’s proceedings:
“We do not believe that diplomacy should be divorced from international law,” the note read. “None of the recent peace plans issued to date mentions the legal rights of Israel enshrined in international law. This seminar will take a closer look at the historical and legal realities of the Middle East, based on the proceedings of the San Remo Peace Conference in April 1920.”
Under the auspices of San Remo Mayor Maurizio Zoccarato, a panel held inside the town on Saturday concerning “the legal significance of the San Remo Resolution as it relates to the status of Israel and Jerusalem under international law,” included the participation of Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Danny Danon (Likud), Italian MP Fiamma Nirenstein and international legal expert Dr. Jacques Gauthier of Toronto.
Speaking to The Jerusalem Post from San Remo, Danon said that he would try and raise awareness of the San Remo Resolution’s particulars, which, he said, “enshrined in international law what many Israelis believe to be only their narrative.
“The Jewish people have international rights from San Remo regarding Israel and Jerusalem,” Danon said. “And the time has come that we begin talking about these rights.
“Today in Israel, there are people who believe firmly in the ‘biblical rights’ of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel,” he continued.  “And while I count myself as one of those believers, members of the secular public, who are not necessarily connected to these biblical rights, also need to be given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the International rights we have.”
Danon added that he hoped to sponsor educational initiatives towards that goal as well, and would draft plans to do so after he returned to Israel.
“Sadly, there are many Israelis who feel that we’ve conquered or are occupying a place that in fact, we have full rights to,” Danon said.
“Those who support Israel need ammunition in the hasbara, or PRstruggle,” he continued, “and this is great ammunition because it isbased on facts and international law.
“Although we don’t always win the struggle opposite Palestinian PR, wewill win with the facts,” Danon said. “Because when you begin toexplore the history of it all, you begin to understand a reality thatis completely different from what is portrayed in the media, and whathas been portrayed by the Palestinian side.”
Danon also took part in an official ceremony on Sunday that marked the90th anniversary of the signing of the San Remo Resolution by fourprincipal allied powers of World War I – Britain, France, Italy andJapan – at the historic location where the signing took place.