Dear Jamie, Following is a letter published in the Rutland Herald, June 4,
(also Burl. Free Press, June 5--slightly shortened to meet their stringent
requirements). Thanks, Miriam
Ending occupation is essential
June 5, 2005 marks the 38th anniversary of the illegal Israeli Occupation
of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. For 38 years UN Security Council
Resolutions 242 and 338 calling for Israel to leave those territories have
been on the books. In sharp contrast, the U.S. recently pushed for the
immediate implementation of UN Resolution 1559 ordering Syria to withdraw
troops from Lebanon.
Nearly two generations of Palestinian children have grown up knowing no
Israeli other than a soldier or settler with a gun pointed at them. The
Geneva Conventions� principles of conduct for protection of civilians under
occupation� have been trampled upon. Israeli anthropologist Jeff Halper
calls it a "matrix of control": over every aspect of Palestinian life,
exacerbated by the continued expansion of settlements and the building of
the 25 foot wall, cutting the West Bank into Bantustans, separating the
North from the South and both from East Jerusalem.
Israel's Walter Cronkite, Haim Yavin, sums it up in his now-playing TV
documentary, "Since 1967, we have been brutal conquerors, occupiers,
suppressing another people."
Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress reduced the $200 million funding for
Palestinians, diverting $50 million to Israel to build watchtowers at the
checkpoints. President Bush rightly says that a Palestinian state must be
contiguous in order to be viable, yet calls Sharon's announcement of 3,500
more housing units at Maaleh Adumim "unhelpful." While the U.S.
administration calls for democracy in the Middle East, it continues monetary
and political support for its antithesis: colonization and suppression of
Palestinians.
Is it not in the interest of all, Palestinians, Israelis and the U.S., to
abide by international law and end this strangulating Israeli Occupation?
Miriam Ward, RSM
For identification:
Sister Miriam Ward
55 Cross Pkwy.
Burlington, VT 05401
Tel. 802-864-3885
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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