STOP THE ATTACKS AGAINST PALESTINE AND LEBANON
FREE PALESTINIAN AND LEBANESE POLITICAL PRISONERS IN ISRAEL
HOLD ISRAEL ACCOUNTABLE FOR WAR CRIMES
New York City: July 18, 2006
Israeli attacks against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, the killing of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and all forms of collective punishment are violations of international law and human rights according to Amnesty International, the United Nations, and numerous human rights organizations.
Israel’s attacks on Lebanon are a disproportionate response to the detention of two Israeli combatants. Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of over 210 Lebanese people, including 17 men, women and children from the village of Marwahin who were fleeing the bombing and were refused shelter by UN forces on July 15. Israel’s bombing of civilian infrastructure has led to the destruction of Lebanese ports, roads, bridges, power plants, apartment buildings and Beirut’s International Airport. Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 80 Palestinians. These attacks have included bombing Ministry buildings, bridges, roads, homes, and the detention of Palestinian Cabinet Ministers. They have plunged Gaza's 1.4 million residents into a humanitarian crisis, with little or no access to electricity, water, medical supplies and food.
Israeli attacks cannot be justified under any pretense.
· According to international law, the people of a country that is occupied by a foreign power have the full right to fight against an occupying force and for their liberation. The Palestinian people, inhabitants of the territories Israel has conquered and occupied militarily since June 1967, also have this right.
· Israel could have gained the release of the Israeli combatants through negotiations and prisoner exchanges as it has done in the past. Israel is holding over 9,000 Palestinian and Arab political prisoners, including 500 women and children.
· The current crisis in the Middle East is a direct result of Israel’s refusal, since its establishment, to abide by international law. Israel is currently in violation of numerous UN Resolutions and international declarations including: General Assembly Resolution 194, Dec. 11, 1948 on Palestinian Right of Return; Security Council Resolution 242, Nov. 22, 1967 calling for an end to the Israeli occupation; International Court of Justice Ruling July 9, 2004, backed by the General Assembly of the United Nations, on the illegality of the Wall built by Israel on occupied land; and the Fourth Geneva Convention Article 33: which prohibits "collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism ..."
Israel must be held accountable for its grave violations of international law, reminiscent of those of the South African apartheid regime. However, even feeble attempts by the international community to condemn Israeli violations of international law have either been vetoed by the US or spurned by Israel, greatly compromising the credibility of the international community.
For peace, based on justice, we call on international civil society organizations and people of conscience around the world to carry out broad boycotts, implement divestment initiatives against Israel, and demand their governments impose sanctions on Israel until it ends its illegal occupation, respects the sovereignty of its Arab neighbors and the right of refugees to return to their homes and lands, and fully complies with international law.
DON’T IGNORE …. LEARN MORE
Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign:
http://www.boycottisraeligoods.org
Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel:
Israeli violation of UN Resolutions:
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/stats/un.html
Electronic Intifada - Political analysis and reporting:
http://www.electronicintifada.net
The Israeli Apartheid Wall:
Palestine Remembered:
http://www.palestineremembered.com/
Palestine Monitor: