Dear Pete,

"International law", as the name suggests, is based on agreements between nations - it thus has no application over those who did not freely choose to belong to this nation or the other which together agreed to establish this law.

That the concept of "sovereignty" is several centuries old doesn't make it any more moral: the concepts of burning witches and sacrificing children, for example, lasted for millennia - does it make them right?

I certainly do not believe that people of aboriginal descent have any more "rights" than others. No person of any race or birth-place should be prevented from finding and settling in some unoccupied and undeveloped land, anywhere on this planet.

Hi Yuyutsu

Australians decide what people can come to Australia.

Just like Israel, we have not surrendered our national rights.

Pete

Dear Pete,

There are no national rights above and beyond the sum of rights which the individuals who willingly belong to the nation in question have bestowed upon their nation.

In the case of Australia, even the people of Australia do not get to decide anything because it is all decided by a handful of politicians and bureaucrats. In fact, most of the people of Australia were never even asked whether or not they agree to belong to the "nation" which calls itself "Australian" after the name of this continent.

You seem to confuse the might of the sword with legitimate moral rights. Almost every "nation" both today and through history abuses its powers and grabs lands which do not belong to it - I just disagree that "might makes right".

Since you mentioned Israel (why?), there are areas within it which were legitimately bought and developed by Jews, who dried up the inhospitable marshes and turned them into gardens, yet there are other areas of Israel that were taken by force, so it's a mixed bag. At least, unlike Australia, it's quite difficult to find in Israel areas that are still undeveloped and uninhabited.

Dear Yuyutsu

The distinctions you draw and philosophical approach you take are yours.

Mine are mine.

I think we could debate between our different positions forever.

Cheers :)

Pete