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From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Wednesday, 14 November 2001
EVENTS
*MOTHER OF FIVE KILLED IN TULKAREM LAST NIGHT
*ANOTHER PALESTINIAN VICTIM OF ISRAELI MILITARY CLOSURE
*SIX MEMBERS OF ABU MUSTAPHA FAMILY INJURED IN KHAN YOUNIS
*ISRAELI ATTACKS, CONFISCATIONS AND CLOSURES THROUGHOUT TERRITORIES CONTINUE
*COLONIALIST ACTIVITIES IN JERUSALEM MOVE AT A FAST PACE
POLITICS
*PALESTINIAN MINISTER CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PUT AN END TO
ISRAELI ATTACKS TO GIVE INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS A CHANCE
*ASHRAWI: OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE TO END
PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
FEATURES
*AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: WEEKLY TOLL OF PALESTINIANS KILLED BY ISRAELI FIRE
DOUBLED SINCE SEPTEMBER 11
SOLIDARITY
*STATEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF PAX CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL
********
EVENTS
********
*PALESTINIAN MOTHER KILLED IN TULKAREM*
Wafa Nasif, 28, a mother of five children, died last night during a
severe military attack on the southern sector of Tulkarem. Nasif was hit by
shrapnel in the head and stomach while inside her home.
------------------
*ANOTHER PALESTINIAN VICTIM OF ISRAELI MILITARY CLOSURE*
Palestinian civilian Muhammed al-Zibin, 55, from Kufer Rumman village,
Tulkarem, died yesterday evening after being prevented by occupation
forces from reaching hospital. Al-Zibin suffered from kidney failure and
required immediate medical attention
------------------
*SIX MEMBERS OF ABU MUSTAPHA FAMILY IN KHAN YOUNIS INJURED*
Only hours after the funeral of Ahmad Abu Mustapha, 13, several
missiles landed near his home, where family members are receiving
condolences.
A missile targeted 'Khan Younis' elementary school after midnight. Six
members of the family rushed to find the school porter, Hamid Abu Sahloul,
43, covered in blood. He is reportedly in critical condition. When they
arrived to rescue him another tank missile fired from 'Neveh Dkalim'
settlement targeted the same location, injuring all six. Other members of
the family came to rescue them under the shelling. The random shelling resulted
in the destruction of a section of the school, which belongs to UNRWA. The
same school has been subjected to shelling several times.
------------------
*ISRAELI ATTACKS THROUGHOUT TERRITORIES CONTINUE*
HEBRON
Dozens of Palestinian civilians, including the elderly and children,
were attacked today with tear gas bombs at the entrances of Halhoul, Beit
Ummar and al-Arroub refugee camp, on the Bethlehem-Hebron road, in order to
be prevented them from using the road. Occupation forces have been
attempting to close the area starting from al-Arroub refugee camp to
Jerusalem, for annexation to Jerusalem.
Tight closure measures continue to be imposed, preventing hundreds,
including students, from reaching their destinations.
TULKAREM
Occupation forces confiscated two homes in Iktaba village, Tulkarem,
and transferred them into military bases.
JENIN
Al-Jabiriyat residential area in Jenin was subjected to an intense
attack with heavy machine gun fire last night. Military reinforcements were
also carried at the entrances to Jenin.
KHAN YOUNIS
A Palestinian woman was moderately injured last night, when occupation
forces opened fire at civilian cars at al-Matahin junction.
------------------
*COLONIALIST ACTIVITIES IN JERUSALEM MOVE AT A FAST PACE*
Wafa- The occupation authorities have resumed construction of a by
pass road from al-Za'im town to al-Eizariya and al-Tour, to complete the
ring around Jerusalem. In al-Eizariya, 43 homes have been warned of demolition
for road construction purposes.
Palestinian settlement expert at the 'Orient House' Khalil Toufakji
said that Israel is trying to take advantage of the Intifada events and
world attention on what is taking place in Afghanistan to speed up the
Judaisation process in Jerusalem. Toufakji said that Israel is proceeding
with the implementation of a plan of two aims in Jerusalem, one of which is
strategic and aims at making Jerusalem a 100% Jewish city, within what is
labelled as Israel's "eternal capital", and the other is tactical, taking
advantage of world and regional politics in order to implement its plans.
Toufakji pointed out that several projects for judaising Jerusalem
have been proposed in a short period of time. He explained that the first
was the closing down of Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, then the
establishment of a large number of military roadblocks within the
city, as well as isolating residential areas within the city and controlling
them. Al-Eisawiya, north east Jerusalem, has been placed under closure and
complete isolation.
Toufakji warned that Sharon is exerting efforts to implement his
settlement plan proposed in 1990, which aims at controlling Palestinian
residential areas within the city in preparation for penetrating them and
joining them to Jerusalem villages and the Hebrew University, in particular the
area that includes olive groves, Silwan, al-Radar Valley and Mount Zion.
Toufakji also stressed that settlement plans are being implemented
intensively within Palestinian residential areas at this time, mainly
in al-Sheikh Jarrah, Wadi al-Joze and al-Mukabber Mount, in addition to
home confiscations in al-Thawri and Mount Olive. Toufakji also warned of
the activities taking place in al-Sheikh Jarrah, where the Israeli
government is using illegal methods to impose facts.
Toufakji expected that the coming days will witness more land and home
confiscations within Palestinian neighbourhoods, as well as home
demolitions to impose facts on the ground that will complicate negotiations
on Jerusalem in the future.
Toufakji said that Israel is implementing the plan step by step in
order to avoid international attention, which is why it is requesting the
postponement of the final status negotiations, especially concerning
Jerusalem.
On another front, Toufakji referred to settlement construction around
Jerusalem, such as the expansion of the Abu Ghneim ('Har Homa')
settlement, construction of more settlements north east Jerusalem and the
expansion of 'Pisgot Ze'ev' settlement to bring in one hundred thousand new
settlers.
In addition to this a train project is being implemented to link Israeli settlements
north, east and west of the city, as well as a commercial area in al-Maslakh and
Shu'fat areas, where the inhabitants have been informed that 200 dunums
(1dunum=1000m2) of their land will be confiscated. According to the plan, 160 new
residential units will be established in the area. Toufakji also confirmed that Israel
is concentrating on expanding settlements in Ras Shehadeh area behind al-Za'im, where
it intends to establish a technological area, five large hotels and several
residential units.
Toufakji pointed out that Israel, within this plan, will also approve
the construction of new settlements in Beit Safafa over an area of 980
dunums to establish 4600 new residential units, as well as the expansion of
settlements such as 'Har Samouil', al-Radar Mount and Bedouin land.
*********
POLITICS
*********
*PALESTINIAN MINISTER CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PUT AN END TO
ISRAELI ATTACKS TO GIVE INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS A CHANCE*
Palestinian Minister Saeb Ureikat called on the international community to
interfere immediately in putting an end to Israeli attacks against the
Palestinians and to give international efforts a deserved chance.
Ureikat had sent urgent letters to international Middle East Envoys which
stressed that the world is now united more than any other time in support
for an everlasting conclusive peace in the area based on international
legitimacy, especially Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, which call
for the end of Israeli occupation and withdrawal to pre-1967 borders.
------------------
*ASHRAWI: OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE TO END
PALESTINIAN CONFLICT*
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, PLC member, said that the opportunity is available
for an American move within an international effort including the EU, UN,
Russia and other parties to submit an international initiative which will
lead to the implementation of international resolutions and allow the
Palestinian people to live in freedom and dignity on their own land.
Dr. Ashrawi concluded a two-week visit to the US during which she held
official meetings with National Security Adviser Ms. Condolisa Rice,
Secretary of State Collin Powell, Deputy-Secretary Richard Armitage
and other State Department officials. Ashrawi said that President Bush's
declaration concerning a Palestinian state alongside Israel requires a
translation from words into action and finding mechanisms to end the
Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and to establish a Palestinian
independent state on land occupied in 1967 including Jerusalem, within a
specified period of time.
Dr. Ashrawi, during her visit to the US, also delivered key lectures
at various locations, among them, George Mason University, of Berkley,
the Commonwealth Club of California, the Arab American Congress, as well
as the World Affairs Council of Oregon. Dr. Ashrawi made several media
appearances which included: CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC News, CBS, as well as
an interview on Larry King Live (CNN).
------------------
*AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: WEEKLY TOLL OF PALESTINIANS KILLED BY ISRAELI FORCES
MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE SEPTEMBER 11*
WAFA - The weekly toll of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupation
fire has more than doubled since last September 11, said human rights
advocacy association "Amnesty International" in a report tiled "Broken lives:
a year of Intifada".
With some 150 Palestinians killed in the past two months, the weekly
death toll among Palestinians has more than doubled, Amnesty notes adding
that a large proportion of those killed and injured have been children: more
than 160 Palestinian children.
The report also deplores an "intolerable situation" accepted by
Israel and the international community, and condemns the Israeli Government
which has responded to the Intifada by killing Palestinians and by shelling
Palestinian towns. "In a blatant violation of the right to life,
Israel continues to implement a deliberate policy of assassinating
Palestinians. More than 40 Palestinians have been extra judicially executed
in attacks which also killed some 20 bystanders," the report goes on.
It also reports that journalists and human rights organizations -
like those who investigated the Israeli occupation army assault on Beit
Rima, where 13 Palestinians were killed and three homes demolished on October 24, 2001
- found out that in many killings there appeared to have been killed in
cold blood by Israeli occupation forces.
The report criticizes Israel for cutting off almost every Palestinian
town and village from the outside world. "Hundreds of Palestinian houses
have been demolished and Palestinians barred from traveling along certain
roads in the Occupied Territories. All Palestinians in the territories
militarily occupied by Israel -- more than three million people -- have been
collectively punished," the report deplores.
The report says that the international community "has made increasingly strong
statements, but has failed to take the action necessary to ensure respect for human
rights standards and international humanitarian law by Israel ."
"Human rights appear to be low on the international agenda at a time
when they should regain centre-stage, if any negotiation process is to
achieve durable results," says the London-based association calling for an
international observing presence which can greatly assist by defusing
situations.
*************
SOLIDARITY
*************
*PAX CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL: IF YOU WANT PEACE, WORK FOR JUSTICE*
President and Bishops Statement on Israel & Palestine
(The statement has been adopted at the International Council of Pax
Christi International which took place in Mainz, Germany, 1 - 4 November
2001. About 165 delegates from more than 50 countries attended the Council.
Presidents and Bishops of Pax Christi International, as well as other bishops,
have signed the statement.)
President and Bishops Statement on Israel & Palestine Preamble Between 15 and 22
February 2001, a delegation of Pax Christi International, visited Israel, the Occupied
Palestinian Territories and the areas under Palestinian self-rule. The major aim of
the visit was to learn how the possibilities of peace negotiations are seen in light
of the change in administration in the United States and the election of Ariel Sharon
as Prime Minister of Israel. In addition, the delegation went to learn about new
developments on issues such as Jerusalem and the settlements. The delegation met with
Palestinian and Israeli officials and NGOs, religious leaders and representatives of
international organisations and governments. The delegation also visited the Hebron
and Bethlehem. The members of the delegation were Mgr Adriaan van Luyn (Bishop
President of Pax Christi Netherlands, on 20 and 21 February), Prof. Willem van
Genugten (Professor in international law at the University of Tilburg and in
human rights at the University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands), Tijl Declercq
(Former member of the Belgian parliament and the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe, and chair of the Middle East working group of
Pax Christi Flanders), Fr Paul Lansu (International Secretariat Pax
Christi International) and Marjolein Wijninckx (Middle East programme Pax
Christi Netherlands). A report has been made available in three languages. Delegation
members have been doing advocacy programmes at the United Nations Human Rights
Commission in Geneva, the European Union in Brussels, UNESCO in Paris, the Council of
Europe in Strasbourg. Most of the member organisations of Pax Christi International
have been involved in advocacy work towards their
political decision makers and church representatives on the national level.
In line with the above-mentioned report, this statement, which follows is
signed by bishops presidents, bishops members and presidents of Pax
Christi International and is a follow-up initiative is order to raise
awareness among the ongoing conflict.
If you want peace, work for justice
(1) On September 28, 2000 the second Intifada erupted. As we anguished over this
recent cycle of violence and the collapse of talks to bring about a
negotiated settlement to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, we are
reminded of the prophetic words of Pope Paul VI, "If you want peace, work
for justice."
(2) The future for Israelis and Palestinians can only be a common future where each
party must respect the rights and traditions of the other. It is
time to return to the principles of international legality: the banning of
the acquisition of territory by force, the right of peoples to self-determination,
respect for the resolutions of the United Nations and
the Geneva Conventions. The Church should insist with all the means
at its disposal on redefinition of the conflict. The core of the question is
the Israeli military occupation of Palestine and the Palestinian claims
for their freedom and land.
Respect for International Law: A Precondition for a Just Peace.
(3) For there to be a true and lasting peace in the region we believe
that negotiations should ultimately lead to a sovereign, viable Palestinian
state, with Jerusalem as the capital of two states, accessible to
followers of the three monotheistic religions. Pax Christi International has
always emphasized that respect for international law is the only way for a
just and durable peace. We believe that the framework of peace negotiations
should include the following four principles of international law:
1. The recognition of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people as
well as Israel's right to secure and recognized borders.
2. The full Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967
3. The right of return of the Palestinian refugees.
4. Respect for human rights by all parties.
(4) Both Israeli and Palestinians must recognize their respective rights to their own
state where their people can live in peace and security. We
believe that Palestinian rights and Israeli security are not mutually
exclusive, but mutually dependent on each other. The full Israeli withdrawal from the
territories occupied in 1967
(5). The full Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967, and
the dismantling of all settlements as stipulated in UN Security Council Resolutions
242 and 338 as well as the right to protection against (further)
annexation of Occupied Territories and forced changes in the demographic
composition of Jerusalem is foundational to building a lasting peace.
(6) The establishment and maintenance of Israeli settlements in the
Occupied Territories and in the Gaza Strip is in violation of the provisions
of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian
Persons in Time of War. Article 49 says that the occupying power shall neither
deport residents of the occupied territory nor transfer parts of its own
civilian population into the territory it occupies.
(7) We believe that Israel's security interests are enhanced by a
withdrawal from the Occupied Territories where the military would no longer need
to defend isolated settlements and military outposts.
The right of return of the Palestinian refugees
(8) United Nations Resolution 194 specifically refers to the right of
return for Palestinians made refugees in 1947-48. It stated that the
refugees were entitled to either compensation or the return to their homes.
(9) While we uphold the ideal of multi-cultural states, we recognize
Israel's fear that allowing large numbers of Palestinian refugees back into
Israel may have a profound demographic impact on the Israeli state. If the
two principles: the Israeli role in creating the refugee situation and of
the right of return for refugees, were recognized by Israel, the
application of the right of the return may be more easily discussed and various
solutions may be found.
Respect for human rights by all parties
(10) Both Israel and the Palestinian areas have been pulled down in a
hopeless spiral of violence. While it is true that the economic and
military hardships imposed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, road closures and
attacks by the Israeli military have infinitely aggravated the situation, and
while the Palestinian National Authority has difficulties to exert complete
control, we nevertheless call on them to do whatever possible to stop
the violence. At the satime we believe the Israeli government must do
more to stop the violence on its side, for instance, that of settlers in the
Occupied Territories against the Palestinians.
Moving Beyond the Legal Framework
(11) While respect for international law is the only road towards a
just and durable peace, we believe that a legal framework by itself will not be
enough to bring peace to this troubled land. As the Pope has rightly
pointed out, "We all know that real peace can only be achieved if there is a
new attitude of understanding and respect between the peoples of the
region, between the followers of the three Abrahamic religions."
(12) For this reason we condemn the misuse of religious teachings and
passions to promote hatred, mistrust and to incite violence towards
others. We reject the use of the Scriptures by some Jews to justify the
expropriation of Palestinian land and property in the name of
a "Greater Israel" as well as of those who preach hatred of Palestinian Arabs.
At the same time we reject the way Islam is used by some to promote hatred
of the Jewish people. We condemn all those who preach hatred of Palestinian
Arabs or of the Jewish people.
(13) As Christians with a long and unfortunate history of anti-Semitism we
acknowledge that some Christians also play a part in the misuse of religious
teachings and passions to promote hatred and mistrust. For this reason we
reject the view of some Christians, who misuse the Bible to justify the
Israeli occupation of Jerusalem and the Occupied Territories in the false
belief that rebuilding the Jewish Temple is a pre-condition to the Second
Coming of Jesus.
A Call to All People of Good Will
(14) As Pax Christi bishops and presidents we call on all Catholics
and on all people of good will to pray, study and act for peace in the
Middle East in the spirit of Pope John Paul II who called us, "to break down the
walls of hostility and division and to build together a world of justice and
solidarity."
(15) We call on people to study the current situation in the Middle
East, and if possible, to participate in Middle East delegations to build
relationships with our Israeli and Arab brothers and sisters.
(16) We also call on people to act for peace and to support those in
Israeli and Palestinian society who continue to do so. In particular we call
for all people of good will to offer financial support to the Christian
Churches and Palestinian refugees of the Middle East and those who continue to
suffer under occupation. We call on people to organize interreligious
dialogues between Christians, Muslims and Jews to promote better understanding
and stronger relationships. We encourage parishes to organize educational
events to promulgate papal and bishop conference statements on the Middle
East. We call on all people to speak out publicly against all forms of anti-
Semitism. We also encourage the organizing of non-violent public actions to
promote peace with justice in the Middle East.
A Call to the Governments of the United States and European Union
(17) Finally we call on all Catholics and people of good will to join
us in urging our governments to take the following steps:
1. To provide financial and diplomatic support for those forces within
Israel and Palestine who have been working tirelessly for peace with
justice through non-violent means. We believe that these voices of non-violent
struggle must be lifted up and encouraged in every possible way.
2. To implement fully Resolution 1322 of the UN Security Council,
which calls for the creation of an independent international Commission of
Enquiry to discover the causes of the current crisis and assess
responsibility for the violence on all sides.
3. To make UN Resolutions #242 and #338 the cornerstone of their Middle East policy in
practice as well as principle. Negotiation should implement these fundamental terms
for peace not substitute for them; it should not require further sacrifices from the
weaker party in the name of false spirit
of "compromise."
4. To support the establishment of an international force of observers in
the Occupied Territories to act as a deterrent to violence from all sides.
5. To pressure Israel and the Palestinian National Authority to comply with
international human rights standards and the rule of law under all circumstances.
6. To support a truly international approach to negotiations that
would be created by the United Nations General Assembly and built on the legal
framework outlined above.
7. Finally, in a post-conflict stage, we call on our governments to
support reconciliation and dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to
preserve long-term peace and security. We also call for our governments to
provide economic development aid in the region in order to encourage fair
trade between all nations based upon the concept of sustainable development.
Reason for Hope
(18) In spite of all the diplomatic setbacks and continuing cycles of
violence, as people of faith, we believe there is reason for hope for
peace in the Holy Land. We are encouraged by the many groups of Israeli and
Palestinian peacemakers who have taken great risks for the cause of
peace.
----------------------------------
Hear Palestine is a free press service offering daily mailings from the
occupied Palestinian territories. Material is analysed and compiled from the
Arabic press, radio and television transmissions, and direct interviews by
Karma Abu-Sharif.
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