IN A WAR ON TERRORISTS, WHO ARE THE TERRORISTS?
THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT ARE USING THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST AS A COVER TO INCREASE THE OPPRESSION OF PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
November 15th was the anniversary of the proclamation of President Yasser Arafat in 1988 of negotiable independent Palestinian statehood. The UN itself, in 1948, recognized the state of Israel only if Israel accepted the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state. Yet Israel ignores this, forcibly occupying land, injuring, terrorizing and killing unarmed Palestinians (including many children), destroying homes and crops, assassinating Palestinian leaders, and controlling every aspect of Palestinian life, including access to water, employment, education, healthcare and the denial of the right to enter and leave your own area. The result is the collapse of the Palestinian economy, starvation, disease and a generation of traumatized children who are themselves trapped in an endless cycle of violence.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO US ALL. RECENT EVENTS DEMONSTRATE THAT DESPERATION PRODUCES DESPERATE ACTIONS.
Yet the Israeli government blatantly ignores legally binding international covenants despite the fact that they are a signatory. The Fourth Geneva Convention is but one.
LIFE UNDER ISRAELI OCCUPATION
A 20-year-old Palestinian female student had quite an experience one morning, in her attempt to reach An-Najah National University in Nablus, Palestine (West Bank). She lives in the village of Boreen only 3 km. distant, but "conditions" make it seem like 50. The problem is that Nablus is totally under "closure" which means that no-one can enter or leave, using normal means. But she had to get to her classes. There was an exam. Can you imagine living in an area that you are not allowed to enter or leave?
She took the taxi as far as she could, and then started walking. The only way to avoid the Israeli soldiers was on an agricultural road, normally dusty, now muddy, due to the start of the rains. When she was very close to the Nablus city border, soldiers started chasing her through the rain and mud. They overtook her, shouting, "Why are you breaking the closure?" One of them held his gun to her head and she was screaming with fear. She was beaten, but a greater humiliation came when her Muslim 'hijaab' (headscarf) was torn off. Fortunately, other Palestinians came to her aid, and somehow, in a terrible state, she got to University. Can you imagine taking an exam after that?
This is not an isolated incident. Indeed, in comparison with the escalating cycle of violence this is a mild incident. “Normal” daily life consists of humilation, pain, anxiety and fear of death
The fight between Palestinians and Israeli troops is highly unequal. The norm is stones against tanks and guns. The aggression from the Israeli state continues unabated and is spiraling out of all control. The International Community appears to hear and see no evil. Worse, the US in particular actively supports the actions of the Israeli occupation. Actions such as the murder of children for throwing stones, actions such as the brutal terrorization, torture and death of human beings. Violence breeds violence. If it was your home, your family, your friends and neighbours, would you fight back? And the International Community refuse to take action against the Israeli state. The implications of the US and UK war on terrorism have bloody consequences which we are seeing in action. And the consequences are not just for Palestinians, for Israelis but, potentially, for us all.
HIGH HOPES
Palestinians believed that, through negotiations, their rights could be regained peacefully. Hopes were high at the "The Madrid Conference" in 1991, following promising messages from the United States of America.
Hoping that the countless United Nations resolutions commending Israeli actions and supporting Human Rights would finally be given some teeth and implemented.
Hoping for resolutions that would have forced Israel to withdraw from the lands that it stole in the six-day war of 1967.
Hoping that Palestinians condemned to a wretched life in refugee camps would be able to return to their rightful homes.
Hoping for sovereignty and equal rights.
But it didn't happen.
Israel ignored all resolutions adopted by the International Community. And the growing oppression continues.
WHY DOES THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REFUSE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST ISRAEL? WHY IS ISRAEL A STATE ABOVE INTERNATIONAL LAW?
A Statement from Najah University
“We feel pain and rejection, as our every attempt at resistance against the Israeli Occupation, closures and repression, serves only to label us as "terrorists" in the minds of Western and European peoples and their information media. We are aghast that anyone would believe that the activities of the Israel "Defense" Forces are conducted solely in the interests of "National Security". Don't you know that their agenda is to conquer and transfer? They want all this land for Israel and for Jews only. Mainstream western media information reporting is rampantly and unabashedly biased in favor of Israel. It's simply unfair, and certainly not in conformity with standards of ethical journalism”.
In this, the year 2001, all normal road access between cities and villages is absolutely and totally closed. Soldiers at the interminable checkpoints harass, humiliate, beat and shoot Palestinians on a daily basis, regardless of age or social status. And now the bombs fall….
Any ‘peace talks’ instigated by the Israeli government in the past were a farce. When the Israeli government talks about security issues, the intention is Israeli security. For Palestinians the reality is very different. Lasting peace will only come about after Israel puts into effect outstanding United Nations Resolutions 242, 383, 194, and 181. And gives back those rights that were taken by force. UN Resolutions are a waste of paper unless the countries that signed those resolutions (including the UK) wake up and take action. The result can only be beneficial to both Palestinian and Israeli people.
The only alternative is an endless cycle of violence that shows no signs of letting up.
IF YOU WISH TO HELP END THE VIOLENCE AND OPPRESSION
Join the Coalition against Sanctions and War on Iraq. We support the demands raised in this document and are organizing a book exchange project with Najah University in Nablus.
Boycott Israeli goods. Tell the supermarket why you refuse to buy these goods.
Do not support the Israeli economy by holidaying in Israel. Tell your travel agent, your MP and the Israeli government why.
Join the National Coalition to Stop the War. Get involved.
Produced by the Coalition against Sanctions and War on Iraq (part of Greater Manchester Coalition Against War)