Originally Posted by gilwave

If you're looking at both sides of the story you have to go back to 1947, then consider the wars of 67 and 73.

"In 1967, Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan and the Gaza Strip from Egypt. Both were used as staging areas in a war designed to annihilate Israel. Israel captured these areas in a defensive war in which they were fighting for their lives. They annexed them as a buffer zone against future attempts to annihilate them. All this was in accordance with established international law. The United States annexed California, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona with less justification.

Forgetting why Israel took the land in the first place, the media announced the West Bank was "occupied territory." All historical precedence of other nations was denied to Israel."

See also this excellent fact-based article from the Israel Ministry of Foreign affairs:

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2003/2/DISPUTED+TERRITORIES-+Forgotten+Facts+About+the+We.htm