[WCUSP] Stop the massacre in Gaza immediately - from WILPF

[C.J. Minster]

In case you aren't already subscribed to the International WILPF listserv, I
felt it was important that everyone have access to this important letter
from our International Executive Committee.

C.J.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Susi Snyder <susi.snyder at wilpf.ch>
Date: Tue, Mar 25, 2008 at 3:23 AM
Subject: "Stop the massacre in Gaza immediately" and promote peace together
with civil society!"- Statement from WILPF Executive Committee
To: WILPF news <wilpf-news at wilpf.ch>


 Open letter sent by the WILPF Executive Committee.


* *

*"Stop the massacre in Gaza immediately" and promote peace together with
civil society!"
*
Open letter to the President of UN Security Council, UN Secretary General,
the Quartet, Israeli Prime Minister, Israeli Minister of Defense,
Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

What is happening to the people in Gaza – but also to all of occupied
Palestine is unbelievable and it is terribly dangerous.  It is not just that
the volcano is building up underneath Israel/Palestine soil, but under the
soil of the entire Middle East and Gulf region. If it is allowed to erupt,
it will be a global disaster. It seems incredible that this international
community of nations cannot find the guts and energy to stop it all while it
still can.

We are horrified by the daily murder of innocent civilians in the Gaza strip
as a result of the massive escalation in military action. This is illegal,
uncivilized and unacceptable behavior by a United Nations Member State.

It is high time for all involved to take the steps that will break the
vicious circle of violent actions and reactions we witness constantly and
bring the occupation, the basic cause of the violence, to an end.

We call on Hamas to stop firing rockets into Israel, and call on Israel to
accept Hamas's invitation to a bilateral cease-fire.

We call on all parties involved, including Hamas, to work for the speedy end
of occupation and the establishment of the independent and viable state of
Palestine alongside Israel.


We urge all governments, but in particular the European governments and
institutions to take into account, and criticize openly, the continuous
disrespect of UN resolutions and international law by the State of Israel
and to put pressure on the Israeli government to respect them.

We ask all politicians visiting Israel and Palestine; to contact not only
politicians, but NGOs that have the declared will to come to peaceful
solutions in the region and who are actively engaged against the occupation
– such as WILPF and others. The people in Israel and Palestine mostly want
peace! International delegations must work more intensely with this part of
the civil society.

We call on all governments to immediately stop any arms trade to Israel and
to cancel respective treaties.

We call on the United Nations, particularly on the Security Council and its
five permanent members, to assume its responsibility and take steps that
will lead to a speedy end of the occupation of all Arab territories by
Israel in 1967, in accordance with on all the relevant resolutions adopted
over the years by the UN Security Council and General Assembly. These remain
the legal basis for a just settlement of the conflict which must be achieved
quickly to eliminate a serious threat to international peace.



Also available on the website at:
http://www.wilpf.int.ch/middleeast/2008March.html



Best Wishes,

Susi Snyder

Secretary General

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom

1, rue de Varembe

Case Postale 28

1211 Geneva 20

Switzerland

Telephone: +41 22 919 7080

Fax: +41 22 919 7081

www.wilpf.ch

www.PeaceWomen.org

www.ReachingCriticalWill.org
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