For Immediate Release CDFJ is gravely concerned over Israeli violence against Palestinian journalists
Amman The Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) has said in a statement released today, October 3, that its gravely concerned over the extended violence against Palestinian journalists during clashes and demonstrations that erupted in Palestinian territories over the past four days.
The Center has said that Israeli violations against Palestinian journalists reflects the Israeli position which is in severe conflict with principles of democracy and respect for human rights, and violates treaties and international agreements which Israel is a signatory.
According to various reports from media and independent sources, a number of journalists have been beaten up as well as being exposed to live fire from Israeli army forces while carrying out their duties covering clashes and violence throughout the West Bank and Gaza. Some of news coverage that
Palestinian journalists have done exposed inhuman and violent practices by the Israeli forces such as the deliberate shooting of the 12 years old Mohamed Abu Dura in his father's arms.
Reports coming out from Palestinian territories have said that four Palestinian journalists have been severely beaten up and physically assaulted in the Aqsa Mosque in the first day of the Palestinian uprising.
Those were; Kahled Abu Aker who works for the French second channel, the same channel that broadcasted footage of young Abu Dura, Awad Awad who works for Agence France Press, Mahfouz Abu Turk and journalist Khaled Zighari who has been reported to be taken to hospital after he was shoot by live ammunition.
In the third day, both Amer Ga'abari and Mazin D'ana have been seriously injured and were taken to hospital. Ga'abari has been reported to been shoot by a bullet in the head. There have been no reports about the nature and conditions of journalists Wa'el Shiokhi and Wafeek Matar who have been also injured during the clashes.
CDFJ notes that the extension of violence against Palestinian journalists by Israeli arm forces has become a critical phenomenon that should be stopped. In September 1996, and during the clashes over the opening of the tunnel under the Aqsa Mosque, the same kind of violence against Palestinian journalists carrying out their work has been significantly reported.
The Center has also stated that repeated incidents where Palestinian journalists have been targeted and assaulted in hot conflict zones, as what has been substantially reported in September 1996 and September of this year, should draw the attention of international and governmental institutions and bodies to the need to provide protection measures for Palestinian journalists carrying out their duties in the West Bank and Gaza while forcing the Israeli government to respect and comply with any set of international conditions that points out to that.
CDFJ has called on all human rights organizations throughout the world to condemn Israeli forces practices against Palestinian people and called for a large campaign in solidarity with Palestinian journalists. The Center has also asked international media to focus on exposing the current situation in Palestinian.
The Center for Defending Freedom of Journalist is a not-for-profit NGO that aims at defending and protecting journalists' freedom and rights. The Center is based in Amman, Jordan.
PRESS RELEASE
3rd October 2000
Over a Million British Muslims call for an end to "barbaric" Israeli actions
Over 300 Muslim organisations around Britain, representing over one million people, are rallying behind calls made by Friends of Al Aqsa, Muslim Council of Britain and Palestinian Return Centre, for the British government to take a lead role in bringing tranquillity over the latest violence in Occupied Palestine.
The violence, which is a direct result of Ariel Sharon's, the perpetrator of massacres at Sabra and Chatila, hostile visit to one of the holiest site to Muslims, the Al Aqsa Haram Sharif.
Past few days has seen carnage due to the barbaric approach of the Israeli Police upon the defenceless people of Palestine. The excessive and fatal use of force has already resulted in the death of over 40 people and over 500 injured with nearly 50 per cent of the deaths to children under the age of 18 and one as young as 18 months old baby.
We the undersigned British Muslim who hold in reverence Jerusalem and the Al Aqsa Mosque, believe that Britain has a special role to play in seeking an end to the latest "carnage" and call upon the British Government to:
To condemn Israel for the use of excessive force, aggressive policies and having started the conflict.
The formation of an international investigative committee to investigate the crimes being committed by the Israeli occupying authorities in the Palestinian territories and bring those responsible to trial.
To apply pressure on Israel to comply with all UN Resolutions including 242, 338 and to totally withdraw from the occupied territories including East Jerusalem.
The Israeli government should be isolated from the international community with political and economical sanction applied.
We remind Britain and the EU that they do not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the whole of Jerusalem and therefore should act to ensure the illegal Israeli occupation of Jerusalem is brought to an immediate end.
For further information, contact Friends of Al-Aqsa on 0 77 11 823 524
Ismail Adam Patel Chairman
LIST OF ORGANISATIONS
Aalami Majlise Tahaffuze Khatme Nubuwwat, London Abdullah Quilliam Society, Liverpool Al Aqsa Primary School, Leicester Al Muttaqiin, London Al Noor Youth Association, London Al Siraatal Mustaqiim, London Al-Asr Scholastic Research Estb. Hounslow Albanian Islamic Society & Centre, London Al-Falah, Bradford Al-Furqan Charity Trust, London Al-Hijra Somali Community, London Al-Hijrah School, Birmingham Al-Hilaal Muslim Youth Association Leicester Aqaba Trust, London Aref Abdulcadir Varkund Community Association Leicester Association of Muslim Schools, London Azad Kashmir Association Leicester Baitul Mukaram Mosque Trust Leicester Balham Mosque, London Battersea Islamic Centre, London Bazme Tolue-Islam, LOndon Belfast Islamic Centre, Belfast Belgrave Muslim Welfare Association Leicester Blackburn Council of Mosques, Blackburn Bohra Jamaat Oadby Leicester Bolton Mosques Council for Community Care Bolton Muslim Community Care, Bolton Bradford Council of Mosques British Muslim Parliamentary Deputies Forum, Newcastle Brixton Mosque, London Chasa Muslim Welfare Society Leicester Community Association Leicester Confederation of Sunni Mosques Midlands (CSM), Birmingham Convoy of Mercy, London Co-ordinating Committee of Nigerian Muslim Organisations, London Council of Mosques, London & Southern Counties, London Coventry Muslim Resource Centre, Coventry Crawley Islamic Centre, LondoCroydon Mosque, London Da' watul Islam UK & Eire, London Darool-Uloom Leicester Leicester Darul Amin Islamic Centre, London Dar-ul-Ehsan Institute, London Darus Salam Mosque Leicester Darus Salam Mosque, Leicester Mosque Trust, Leicester Dawoodi Bohra Welfare Society Leicester Dulwich Islamic Centre, London East London Mosque Trust Ltd, London Edmonton Islamic Center Education Aid, London Elland Mosque Association, Elland Ethnic Community Voluntary Action European Institute of Human Science Federation of Muslim Organisations in Leicestershire, Leicester Federation of the Students Islamic Societies in the UK & Eire (FOSIS), London Fife Muslim Association, Scotland Fisabillah Community services Organisations, Sutton, London Friends of Hadhramant, LondonGardens of Peace, Muslim Cemetry Trust Ghana Muslim Union, London Ghour Ghusti Welfare Association, Birmingham Girlington Muslim Welfare Association, Bradford Gloucester Islamic academy, Gloucester Gloucester Muslim Welfare Association, Gloucester Granby Somali Women's Group, Liverpool Graveney Madressa, London Green Crescent, Nottingham Gujarati Muslim Association Leicester Gulshan-e-Madina Leicester Gulzar-e-Madina Mosque Leics Gulzar-E-Madina Mosque, Leicester Halal Consumers Ltd, Birmingham Hanafi Sunni Muslim Circle - UK Harbour World of Children Harrow Islamic Society, North Harrow Harrow Muslim Education Society, London Hertfordshire Muslim Education Council, St Albans Highfields Action Comm Leicester Highfields Comm.Gujarati School Leicester Hinckley Muslim Association Leicetershire Hounslow Jamia Masjid, Ashford Hounslow Muslim Art & Cultural Society, London House of U.K Leicester Huddersfield Dawa Islamic Centre, Huddersfield Human Relief Foundation, Bradford Human Rights Society of Pakistan, London Husayni Madrasah, Middlesex Ibn Rushid Society, Wolverhampton Idara Minhaj ul Quran, Birmingham Idara Minhaj ul Quran, London Idara Minhaj ul Quran, Manchester Idara Minhaj ul Quran, Nelson Idara Minhaj ul Quran, Southampton Immigrants Funeral Society, Bradford Imperial College Islamic Society, London Indian Muslim Association Leicester Indian Muslim Association, Leicester Indian Muslim Federation, London Indian Muslim Welfare Society, Batley International Forum for Islamic Dialogue, London International Institute of Kashmir Studies, London International Khatme-e-Nubuwwat Mission, Bolton IQRA Trust, London Islaimic Guidance Council, London Islamia Schools' Trust, London Islamic & Cultural Society of Harrow Islamic Academy Cambridge, Cambridge Islamic Academy, London Islamic Association of North London, London Islamic Centre Leicester, leicester Islamic Centre, Birmingham, Birmingham Islamic Centre, Masjid-e-Abu Bakr, Preston Islamic College, London Islamic Community Centre, Tottenham, London Islamic Computing Centre, London Islamic Council of Europe, London Islamic Cultural and Education Centre, London Islamic Cultural Centre Loughborough Islamic Dawa Centre, Birmingham Islamic Dawah Academy, Leicester Islamic Education Trust (Masjid Al-Falah), Leicester Islamic Education Trust Leicester Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre, Birmingham Islamic Educational & Recreational Islamic Educational Society (Nur Ul Islam Mosque), Blackburn Islamic Forum Europe - North Branch, Sunderland Islamic Forum Europe, London Islamic Relief, London Islamic Research Institute of Great Britain, Dewsbury Islamic Resource Centre, Birmingham Islamic Rights Movement Leicester Islamic Society for the Promotion of Religious tolerance, London. Islamic Society of Britain, Birmingham Islamic Society, Newcastle Islamic Tarbiyyah Academy, Dewsbury Islamic.E.Trust Leicester Italwa Community Association Leicester Jamaiatul Muslimeen Quwatul Islamic Mosque, London Jame Masjid Ahle Hadith, Bradford Jame Mosque Welfare Trust Leicester Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith UK, Birmngham Jamiat Alle Hadith Leicester Jamiat Ulama of Britain, Dewsbury Jamiat-e-Ulema Britain, Bradford Kashmir Youth Organisation Leicester Kingston Mosque, London Kokni Muslim Youth Club Leicester Lambeth Islamic Cultural Centre, London Lancashire Council of Mosques, Blackburn League of British Muslims, London Leeds Islamic Centre, Leeds Leices.Muslim Socety Leicester Leicester Aisan Youth Association Leicester Leicester Muslim Academy Leicester Leicestershire Muslim Kokni Ass. Leicester Lewisham Islamic Centre, London Madrassa Talimuddin Leicester Madressa-e-Anjumane Leicester Markaz-e-Badri Dawo Bo Mosq Leicester Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Reading Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Redhill Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Rotherham Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Sheffield Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Woking Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Banbury Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Birmingham Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Blackburn Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Blackpool Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Bolton Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Bradford Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Brighton Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Burton-on-Trent Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Coventry Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Cradley Heath Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Derby Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Dewsbury Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Dudley Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Falkirk Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Galsgow Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Halifax Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Huddersfield Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Keighley Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Leicester Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, London Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Maidenhead Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Maidstone Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Manchester Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Middlesborough Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Nelson Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Newcastle Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Nottingham Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Oldham Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Skipton Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Slough Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Worcester Masjid Abu Bakr, Huddersfield Masjid Noor, Gloucester Masjid Quba, Bradford Masjid Umar, Dewsbury Masjid Zakaria, Dewsbury Masjid-e-Abu-Bakar Leicester Masjid-e-Tabuk Leicester Matwad Community Associated Leicester Memon Association Leicester Memon Youth Association Leicester Murabitun, Inverness Muslim Burial Council Of Leicestershire, Leicester Muslim Concern U.K. Leicester Muslim Conference Leicester Muslim Doctors 7 Dentists Assoc, Manchester Muslim Jamat Leicester Muslim Khatri Association Leicester Muslim Rajani M.K.S.I. Jamaat Leicester Muslim Solidarity Committee, New Malden Muslim Students Society UK & Eire, Manchester Muslim Welfare House, London Muslim Welfare Trust Leicester Muslim Women's Association, London Muslim Women's Society in the UK & Ireland Muslim Youth Education Council Leicester Muslim.Educat.Cen. Leicestershire Navsari Sunni Vohra Jamat U.K Leicester Navsari Youth Association Leicester Pakistan Association Leicester Pakistan Muslim League Leicester Pakistan Welfare Association Leicester Pakistan Welfare Association UK, Surrey Peckham Islamic Centre, London Rose Aid Leicester S.E. London Baitul Aziz Cultural Centre, London Shaikh Kanera Community Association Leicester South London Islamic Centre, London St.Peters Youth Council Leicester Sunni Muslim Foundation Leicester Sunni Muslim Jamat Leicester Surati Muslim Khalifa Society Leicester Sussex Muslim Society, Sussex Sutton Islamic Centre, London The Harbour, London Tooting Islamic Centre, London U.K. Islamic Mission Leicester UK Action Committee on Islamic Affairs, Surrey UK Islamic Mission (Euston) UMO Youth Council Leicester Vesma Community Group Leicester Wimbledon Mosque, London Woking Mosque Trust, London World Federation of KSIMC, Middx Young Muslim Organisation Leicester Young Muslim Organisation UK, London Young Muslims UK, Markfield Youth Welfare Association Leicester Zia-ul Islam Hall Association Leicester
Over the past week, the Palestinian people have lived in a state of war. At a critical time in the final status negotiations in the peace process, the man behind the massacre of Sabra and Shatila, Ariel Sharon, visited the Haram El-Sahrif in Jerusalem under the protection of Israeli policemen and soldiers. The visit and the repeated Israeli official stance denying Palestinian rights in Jerusalem lead to intifada-like demonstrations by Palestinians throughout Palestine.
The Israeli Army responded with excessive force to these demonstrations. They used high-velocity bullets, live ammunition, anti-tank missiles, and helicopter gunships. In 6 days of clashes, 66 Palestinians were killed and over 1,600 injured. The confrontations are still taking place. One 12-year old, Mohammad El-Dura, was killed in cold blood, like many others. Israeli soldiers or settlers shot 25 children. One was less than two years old.
Since it establishment, Israel has been violating international law and human rights standards. Israeli atrocities have been documented by international organizations. The international community has repeatedly condemned Israel for these acts. Nonetheless, the crimes continue to be perpetrated against Palestinian civilians.
The core issue is that Israel cannot bring itself to believe that Palestinians are equal human beings. The suppressed guilt of the Israelis prevents them from facing themselves and the atrocities they have committed. One Israeli woman asked, "why do these children put themselves in the line of fire." She did not want to ask herself why soldiers are killing them.
As stated in international law and UN resolutions, Israel is an occupying force. They have no right to be on Palestinian soil. The Palestinians are guaranteed by international law the right to free themselves from this occupation and defend themselves against oppression. Yet, Israel has been the recipient of a great deal of international aid that has allowed it to build the army and security machines that have been oppressing Palestinians.
We call upon the international community to take a firm stand against the outrageous human rights violations perpetrated by the Israeli leadership and military establishment. We appeal to individuals and governments to:
Please Help!
Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj
Chairman of the Board of Directors
As the recent attacks by the State of Israel on its Palestinian citizens made clear, the Palestinian population of Israel is a population at risk and in dire need of outside assistance to protect its freedom and defend its rights. Ittijah - Union of Arab Community Based Associations therefore calls for an international campaign to safeguard the rights and existence of the Palestinian community in Israel.
This campaign is necessary as recent violence aimed at Palestinians on both sides of the Green Line has shown that in dealing with Palestinians, Israel makes no distinction between Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza who live under Israeli occupation and the Palestinians in Israel who make up some 20% of country's citizenry. Indeed, this sentiment was expressed explicitly by a high ranking Israeli police office who, commenting on the ongoing clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli forces, asserted that "[The] Green Line doesn't exist anymore". Implied by this statement was the fact that Israel feels free to oppress Palestinians on both sides of the Green Line in equal measure.
As citizens of a state that refuses to accord them even a modicum of security or protection, Palestinians in Israel are in urgent need of international support. Ten Palestinian citizens of Israel have already been murdered by their government's forces in the past four days: 3 in Umm El-Fahem, 2 in Arabeh, 2 in Sakhnin, 1 in Nazareth, 1 in Moaweye and 1 in Jatt. Dozens more were injured, and thousands endangered, as Israeli police attacked unarmed demonstrators in Palestinian towns throughout Israel.
The scale of these attacks, and Israel's ongoing treatment of Palestinians as enemies and not citizens both indicate that this is not an internal Israeli matter but rather one that demands international intervention.
Ittijah therefore calls on all people of conscience to join the campaign to safeguard the rights of Palestinians in Israel. We urge you take the following action:
For more information, please contact Ameer Makhoul either by e-mail at ameer@ittijah.org, or by telephone at +972 4 862-1713.
October 03, 2000, Tuesday UPDATE: A Total of 13 Palestinian Children Martyred, Over 600 Injured
Clashes continued throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip today, with intense confrontations in the city of Hebron, in the southern West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. In Hebron today, confrontations reached their peak as Israeli soldiers and settlers entered territories under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian National Authority and began attacking Palestinian civilians. In the northern area of the West Bank, illegal Israeli settlers have launched attacks against Palestinian villages.
Over 50 Palestinians have been killed since the outbreak of demonstrations following Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon's provocative visit to the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem on 28 September. Of those, DCI/PS has verified the deaths of at least 13 Palestinian children. In addition, as of 4:30pm today, over 630 children from the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip have been injured in the ongoing clashes, with 12 children still in critical condition after having sustained serious injuries. According to a random sampling, approximately 40% of the total wounded by the Israeli occupation forces are children. It is important to note, however, that precise statistics and information regarding children killed and wounded is difficult to attain. This is due to a number of factors, including the unstable and chaotic situation on the ground and the high number of casualties, particularly regarding the numbers of injured.
As the confrontations continue and grow more intense in some areas, DCI/PS reiterates its call for the international community to act immediately to put an end to the Israeli military forces' attack on Palestinian civilians. The ramifications of the recent violence will have lasting consequences, both physical and psychological, on thousands of Palestinian children, both those having experienced such violence first hand and those who witnessed it. Please fax letters to the following individuals requesting their immediate intervention and the establishment of an international commission of inquiry into the gross human rights violations of the Israeli military forces in the past week:
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan FAX: +212 963 7055
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson FAX: +41 22 917 9016
Please 'cc' to Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Dr. Amin Mekki-Medani FAX: + (972 7) 282 7321
This morning, clashes between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli Occupation Forces resumed at the junction of Al-Shuhada' near Netzarim Settlement. PCHR's field officers just reported that the Israeli Occupation Forces are now bombarding the area with missiles and bombs, and that helicopters are being deployed again.
The corpse of Fahmi Abu Ammouneh, 28 years old from Nuseirat, has just been transported to Shefa' Hospital in Gaza city. Abu Amouneh was shot by a shell in the head at 11:00 am GMT. Moreover, dozens of injured Palestinian civilians were also evacuated to Shefa' Hospital and to a clinic near the area of clashes.
On 2 October, the Israeli Occupying Forces bombarded three houses in Rafah. No injuries were reported among the families. Those houses were located at the border with Egypt, which is under the control of the Israeli Occupation Forces. Furthermore, the same day, Israeli helicopters dropped bombs which severely damaged two housing buildings at Netzarim area, next to the Israeli military outpost.
PCHR is deeply worried about the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territory due to the excessive use of force by the Israeli Occupation Forces. PCHR reiterates its calls for an immediate international intervention to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression.
For more information please contact:
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Tel/Fax: 972 7 282 4776/ 282 3725
E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org
Web Page: www.pchrgaza.org
October 3, 2000, 5:30 PM
In six days of sustained Israeli attacks, 51 Palestinians have lost their lives and over 1,600 have been injured. Approximately 20% of the injured are children.
News reports speak of a 'cease-fire', but this term is misleading. A cease-fire implies an agreement between two armed military forces. In reality, the Israeli army has attacked unarmed Palestinian civilians with brutal force, using weapons designed for military assault. Palestinian men, women, and children are being killed and maimed by tanks, helicopters, high-velocity exploding bullets and anti-tank missiles. Supposedly 'non-lethal' weapons like rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas have also killed unarmed civilians.
The increasing Israeli military presence throughout the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip is perpetuating the violence. The UPMRC's first aid teams are continuing to provide on-scene emergency medical services to the injured. Many new volunteers have joined our teams.
The UPMRC appreciates the expressions of support from the international community. We ask you to continue to pressure the Israeli army and government to end military assaults against Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, and inside the Green Line.
To view all of the UPMRC's Emergency Appeals and updates regarding the Israeli army's use of force against Palestinians over the past six days, visit the UPMRC website at http://www.upmrc.org. For further information please contact Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi at 050-254218 or the UPMRC office at 02-583-3510/ 02-583-4021.
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate This is an announcement to the people. We are ready to sacrifice our lives and blood for the sake of Al-Aqsa.
Let the Al-Aqsa intifadah and the clashes continue and let us turn the earth into flames and a volcano under the feet of the usurpers.
O our militant Palestinian people: If ye suffer hardships, they are suffering similar hardships; but ye have hope from God, while they have none. [Koranic verses] These are the blessed days, the days of jihad and martyrdom and the days of God and the jihad for the sake of God and the days for avenging Jerusalem and the holy places and Al-Aqsa and championing the dignity of the Arab and Islamic nation. The precious Palestinian blood these days is being heavily shed for the sake of Al-Aqsa Mosque. O our people, remain steadfast once again in these days for you are the people who always offer sacrifices and martyrs and are constantly generous and you are the people who have pride and dignity and forbearance and steadfastness. O our people, we exalt and admire you for your jihad and steadfastness and your intifadah for the sake of Al-Aqsa and the holy places and for your strong stand in the face of Zionist tyranny and aggression. We also exalt and admire the pure martyrs and the hundreds of wounded whose pure blood has stained the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the blessed soil of Palestine.
O our steadfast Palestinian people: The intifadah of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque will continue and persist and escalate to prove to the whole world that our people have not become tired or weakened and will not surrender to humiliation, oppression and occupation. This intifadah will also prove that our people have been and will continue to be able to offer resistance and sacrifices, confront the barbarism of the Jewish occupiers and their covetous ambitions and oppression, and defend Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Zionist occupation army confronted our unarmed masses with tens of thousands of its panicked soldiers and used live ammunition and internationally banned bullets and armoured vehicles and 'LAU' missiles and perpetrated heinous war crimes against the protesters from our people. All of this confirms the truth about the imaginary peace with this enemy and that coexistence between the victim and the gladiator is merely a big lie because this criminal enemy only understands the language of brute force, oppression, terrorism and the desecration of the holy places. This enemy wants our people to completely capitulate to its will and conditions but our people's blood that has been shed everywhere in our usurped land reveals the truth about this rancorous enemy no matter how much the proponents of peace and settlement tried to mislead our people and nation.
This blessed intifadah is a strong response to the Baraq government's crime of conspiring with Sharon and his followers against the Al-Aqsa Mosque and allowing him to walk around its courtyards protected by thousands of soldiers and military reinforcements. We did not see such military reinforcements even when the Al-Aqsa Mosque was occupied for the first time. This intifadah is also in response to the enemy's positions and announcement of insisting on sovereignty over Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque and to the statements by this entity's leaders about the establishment of their alleged temple in Al-Aqsa Mosque. This intifadah and this blood is a strong message that we will scorch the earth under the feet of the usurper and that infringement on and desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque is prohibited area. Our people, young and old, men and women, and old people and children will resist it and blood will be shed and martyrs will fall.
Our militant Palestinian people, our Arab and Islamic nation: We in the Islamic Resistance Movement [HAMAS] call for the following:
First: On the domestic level:
Second: On the Arab and Islamic level:
Let the blessed Al-Aqsa intifada continue and let the Palestinian blood continue to be copiously shed in defence of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque and let us turn our blessed land into a volcano and flames that scorch the usurpers.
Signed: The Islamic Resistance Movement [HAMAS], Palestine. Dated: Sunday, 4th Rajab 1421 Hegira, corresponding to 1st October 2000.
New York, October 3, 2000-- MADRE, an international women's human rights organization, strongly condemns Israeli military forces, which have killed more than 50 Palestinians (including 13 children and an 18-month-old baby) and wounded over 1,000. On September 28, Ariel Sharon, head of the Israeli Likud Party, strong-armed his way onto the Temple Mount/al-Aqsa Mosque site in Jerusalem, perhaps the single most contested territory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Flanked by over 1000 troops, Sharon's stated aim was to assert exclusive Israeli sovereignty over the area, just as Israeli and Palestinian leaders were poised to discuss sharing control of the site.
Sharon's provocation elicited protests by unarmed Palestinians. Israeli troops opened fire on the demonstrators and Muslim worshipers and have since escalated the violence to include the use of live ammunition, tanks, helicopter gunships and anti-tank missiles. Most of those killed were targeted with gunfire to the head and chest and most of the injured are children. This arbitrary and excessive use of force violates international human rights standards, which dictate that state security forces may resort to gunfire only to save lives.
US Secretary of State Madeline Albright termed Sharon's maneuver "counter-productive." In fact, Sharon has a long history of brutality: In 1953 he led a massacre of dozens of Palestinian families in the village of Qibia and in 1982 was responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinian refugees in Beirut, Lebanon. But true culpability for the current killings lies with Israeli Prime Minister Barak, who neither prevented nor condemned Sharon's provocation. As Defense Minister, it is Barak who has mandated this week's horrifying escalation of military force. Barak himself is seeking to place the blame on the Palestinian leadership. The US media has given wide play to Israeli accusations that the Palestinian Authority is "orchestrating the riots" for political gain. The mainstream media's deceptively passive language of "people dying" and "violence raging" obscures the reality of Israeli perpetrators and Palestinian victims. But it is Barak's forces that are shooting anti-tank missiles into unarmed crowds.
The big question in the US media is whether this violence will derail the Middle East peace process. But it is precisely the failure of the peace process to protect Palestinians from Israeli domination that is the source of the frustration and despair that is fueling these militant reactions. Supposedly, the peace process itself is based on UN Resolution 242, which calls for Israeli withdrawal from all of the territories it conquered in 1967 -- including East Jerusalem. As Sharon's show of force demonstrates, Israel refuses to comply with this Resolution. In fact, Israel's occupation of Jerusalem has been characterized by illegal measures designed to push Palestinians out of the city and erect Israeli settlements throughout East Jerusalem. Palestinians have already agreed to relinquish 78% of their country by recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the 1948 borders. Having made this concession, most Palestinians insist that Israel not be allowed to swallow up even more territory in East Jerusalem or other parts of the West Bank.
Today's fragile cease-fire is no substitute for a sustainable resolution to this violence. MADRE therefore:
Calls on the Clinton Administration and the international community to pressure the Israeli government for an immediate halt to this violence. Calls on Israel to comply with UN Resolutions and international human rights standards. Calls on Israel to withdraw from all territories occupied in 1967, including Jerusalem and to respect Palestinian rights, including the refugees' right of return.
MADRE
121 West 27th Street, #301
New York, NY 10001
ph: 212-627-0444
fx: 212-675-3704
madre@igc.org
www.madre.org
Contact: Yifat Susskind, Associate Director