Blair is right: we need a UN resolution. But not the one he wants.
Concerned Citizen | 18.04.2004 15:28
An open letter to The Right Honourable Jack Straw, MP, UK Foreign Secretary, regarding the failure of the UK to support a UN Security Council Resolution condemning the Israeli's government's murder of Palestinians notwithstanding his FO steps comments that the action is "unlawful."
FAO The Right Honourable Jack Straw, MP.
Sir
You have said in public that Israel's government sponsored murder of Palestinians under the guise of "targeted assassinations" or "extra-judicial killings" are "unlawful."
Will you now support a UN resolution condemning the Israeli government's murderous attacks in Palestinian territory without insisting that the resolution refers to Palestinian "Terrorism?"
Clearly the only difference between the two sides is that the Israeli forces are armed by the USA (in 2001 the US president tried to vote USD3 milliard in military aid to Israel but it was reduced by Congress to just over USD2 milliard), fly the most up to date aircraft and wear uniforms whilst the Palestinians (who on UN figures have lost three times more people than has Israel) are armed by anyone that will send them a few thousand dollars (if they can actually transmit the funds), drive beaten up old cars and, increasingly, have few clothes as a result of Israeli destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure and blockades.
That the government of my country acquiesces in the slaughter of Palestinians and the systematic destruction of their property and annexation of their lands is a disgrace.
There are many Jewish Israelis who do not support the violence, humanitarian crisis and territorial expansion undertaken in their name. And there are many Jewish people in the UK who are horrified at the behaviour of the Israeli government which unfairly taints the reputation of all Jews.
We, the British, and especially we English who have historically sought to display fairness and to promote the cause of right, should be supporting those within Israel and those Jews in Britain that oppose PM Sharon's tactics and not supporting the present Israeli government.
It is time that we as a nation stood up and denounced tyranny and state sponsored murder.
I understand that you would not wish to go so far as to describe the actions of the Israeli government as terrorism but before making the decision not to do so, you might wish to consider their actions in Palestine generally against the definition in the Terrorism Act 2000. You will find it difficult to come to any conclusion other than that their conduct fits squarely within that definition.
And the right place to start is in having the courage to support, perhaps even draft, an unequivocal Security Council Resolution censoring the State of Israel for committing acts of murder.
In failing to do so, the UK is permitting Israel to continue to act in breach of international law with impunity.
And that, sir, is wrong.
Yours
a Very Concerned Citizen
Sir
You have said in public that Israel's government sponsored murder of Palestinians under the guise of "targeted assassinations" or "extra-judicial killings" are "unlawful."
Will you now support a UN resolution condemning the Israeli government's murderous attacks in Palestinian territory without insisting that the resolution refers to Palestinian "Terrorism?"
Clearly the only difference between the two sides is that the Israeli forces are armed by the USA (in 2001 the US president tried to vote USD3 milliard in military aid to Israel but it was reduced by Congress to just over USD2 milliard), fly the most up to date aircraft and wear uniforms whilst the Palestinians (who on UN figures have lost three times more people than has Israel) are armed by anyone that will send them a few thousand dollars (if they can actually transmit the funds), drive beaten up old cars and, increasingly, have few clothes as a result of Israeli destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure and blockades.
That the government of my country acquiesces in the slaughter of Palestinians and the systematic destruction of their property and annexation of their lands is a disgrace.
There are many Jewish Israelis who do not support the violence, humanitarian crisis and territorial expansion undertaken in their name. And there are many Jewish people in the UK who are horrified at the behaviour of the Israeli government which unfairly taints the reputation of all Jews.
We, the British, and especially we English who have historically sought to display fairness and to promote the cause of right, should be supporting those within Israel and those Jews in Britain that oppose PM Sharon's tactics and not supporting the present Israeli government.
It is time that we as a nation stood up and denounced tyranny and state sponsored murder.
I understand that you would not wish to go so far as to describe the actions of the Israeli government as terrorism but before making the decision not to do so, you might wish to consider their actions in Palestine generally against the definition in the Terrorism Act 2000. You will find it difficult to come to any conclusion other than that their conduct fits squarely within that definition.
And the right place to start is in having the courage to support, perhaps even draft, an unequivocal Security Council Resolution censoring the State of Israel for committing acts of murder.
In failing to do so, the UK is permitting Israel to continue to act in breach of international law with impunity.
And that, sir, is wrong.
Yours
a Very Concerned Citizen
Concerned Citizen
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