Jüdische Stimme für einen gerechten Frieden zwischen Israel und Palästina/Jewish Voice for a just peace between Israel and Palestine
/ / Postal box 2503, 8022 Zürich
Press release
Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon and the OccupiedTerritories, as well as the rocket attacks on Israel in the north by the Hisbollah and from the south from Palestinians in Gaza are all examples of the ongoing failure of the Middle East peace process. These current events are merely a continuation of a long circulatory process of warlike conflict. Whenever violence occurs, people suffer.
None of these ongoing conflicts – neither that between Israel and the Palestinians (who still don’t have their own state) nor those between Israel and Syria or between Lebanon and Syria, (which supports Hisbollah) –- has been resolved. Each of these enemies have concentrated all their efforts on weakening or controlling their opponent and in this way pursued their own interests.
Putting an immediate end to all warlike activities, the upholding of international law and maintaining human rights could create the basis for new and serious political negotiations. It is clear that the various parties engaged in these conflicts need outside pressure to reorient themselves and to act in a different way. Since the situation is extremely complex, these changes will not be easily achieved. Just a few key words indicate what sorts of issues are also involved, in addition to Israel’s ongoing Occupation of Palestinian territories in violation of international law: the international conflict to control oil resources, the „war on terror“ of the Bush Administration, Iran’s support of Hisbollah, theAnti-Zionist and Antisemitic speeches of Iranian president Ahmadinejad, (political and military) deals made between Israel and the U.S...
The withdrawal of Israeli occupying forces from the Palestinian territories requires peace negotiations. Unilateral withdrawal, on the other hand, cannot ensure a lasting peace. Mutual dialogue as well as concrete projects to improve the living situation in these areas must be interconnected. The reliable implementation of these agreements will enable step by stepde-escalation in the region.
The Jewish Voice for a Just Peace between Israel and Palestine calls for:
- an immediate halt to all warlike activities in Lebanon, Israel and in the OccupiedTerritories
-a bilaterally negotiated withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces out of Palestinian territories
-political initiatives and structures guaranteeing the upholding of international law and human rights
-the sponsorship and financing of projects supporting dialogue and equity between all parties
Zürich, July 26th, 2006