| Campaign information from | |
Joint Jewish/Arab delegations
to the Foreign Office, the Palestinian Delegation, the Israeli Embassy, the
Arab League and the embassies of the US, EU, UN and Russia (the Quartet).
Joint statement by British/European Jewish Peace Groups to mark the UN Day
of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
"We, representing British /European Jewish Peace groups, express our solidarity
with the Palestinian people in their rightful quest for statehood in the Occupied
Territories of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
In the 35 years since Israel conquered the Occupied Territories in 1967, it
has sought to change their demography by occupying and progressively settling
them; this is in contravention of United Nations Security Council resolutions
242, 338 and 465. There are now 157 settlements with a population of 385,000
Israelis in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. In the West Bank
and Gaza together, the Israeli settlements, reserved lands, connecting roads
and other Israeli Army controlled land take up 56% of the area. It is obvious
that the settlement project is inimical to a just settlement with the Palestinians.
Under the Labour governments of Rabin and Peres (1992-1996) and Barak (1999-2001),
Israel moved towards acceptance of a Palestinian state under the Oslo Peace
Process. However the Likud governments of Netanyahu (1996-1999) and now Sharon
put the process into reverse. Sharon publicly repudiated the Peace Process both
before and after he became Prime Minister.
Daily life has become unbearable for the Palestinian People. Attacks on Israeli
civilians by Palestinian extremists cannot be justified, but they are the result
of the long occupation, the expanding settlements, and the frustration caused
by Israel's renewed prevarication under Sharon. Anti-colonial movements have
always had their extremists. The Israeli government's response has included
"targeted killings", including the killing of many innocent people, and collective
punishments such as demolishing houses. Both are contrary to the Fourth Geneva
Convention for the Protection of Civilians under Occupation. Palestinians are
subjected to lengthy curfews and checkpoints which prevent them from carrying
out normal activities. The vicious circle will not end until the occupation
ends.
In order to provide justice and security for both the Palestinian and Israeli
peoples:
A. We call upon the Israeli government to re-start meaningful negotiations with
the Palestinian Authority towards the creation of a viable Palestinian state
based on the 4th June 1967 borders, with geographical unity and full control
over its resources. This will require: an end to the occupation of the West
Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem; withdrawal from all Jewish settlements in these
territories, or withdrawal from most settlements coupled with an equitable land
swap to accommodate retention of some settlements bordering Israel; the recognition
of the right of both states to have Jerusalem as their capital.
B. We call on Israel to cease "targeted killings" and all forms of collective
punishment. We call upon the Palestinian Authority to make every effort to prevent
attacks against Israelis.
C. We call upon Israel to acknowledge its responsibility for the creation of
the Palestinian refugee problem and the historic wrong done to the Palestinian
people. We call upon the Arab States to acknowledge their contribution to perpetuating
the problem. The solution to the refugee problem can only come about by agreement
between the parties based on fair, practical and creative compromise which assures
justice for everyone and includes compensation for all refugees created by this
conflict. We call upon the international community, especially the United States
and Europe, for political and financial support.
D. We call on the Quartet of the United Nations, the United States, the European
Union and Russia to put pressure on the Israeli government and the Palestinian
Authority to implement these resolutions.
As Jews we feel a strong connection with the State of Israel and believe we
have a duty to speak out against Israel's indefensible behaviour in the Occupied
Territories. We reach out to the Palestinian People because we believe that
in working together both peoples can achieve justice, security and equality."
Signed (names of the participating groups)
Information from Vivien Lichtenstein contact
VLichtenstein@aol.com