[Fresh Ink] International Civil Society condems Israeli massacre in
Gaza (compendium)
Richard Menec
menecraj at shaw.ca
Thu Jan 22 20:39:25 CST 2009
1. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel
2. Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors and Employees
3. British telecom firm severs ties with Israeli counterparts
4. Canadian civil society condemns massacre
5. CUPE President condemns Israeli military assault
6. Red Cross slams Israel over access to Gaza wounded
7. A Call from Within - signed by Israeli citizens
8. Norway: unions mobilize against Israeli war crimes in Gaza
9. Nine Israeli human rights groups call for Israel's top leaders to face
war crimes investigation
10. Education International Calls For Immediate Gaza Cease-Fire
11. Iranian and Morrocan Jews slam Israel over Gaza slaughter
12. Gazan Doctor and Peace Advocate Loses 3 Daughters to Israeli Fire and
Asks Why
13. Italy's largest union: Prosecute Israeli war crimes, suspend EU
Agreement
14. 300 British academics for boycott, divestment and sanctions NOW
15. United Electrical Workers' Union Calls for End to Bloodshed in Gaza
16. New Zealand: Union calls on members to protest Israeli aggression
17. Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
18. Why C.U.P.E. Ontario is backing boycott of Israel
19. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and B'tselem: Investigate
Possible War Crimes
20. Israeli abuses "make apartheid look like a Sunday school picnic" - ANC
lawmakers
1)
FROM Physicians for Human Rights:
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, Al-Mezan Center (Gaza) and The
Palestinian Medical Relief Society (Ramallah): Emergency Gaza Update
28.12.2008
28.12.2008
Since the start of the Israeli military strikes against the Gaza Strip, true
to Sunday, 16:00, 282 dead (including 20 children and 9 women) and about 700
wounded persons (including 130 children and 28 women) have been identified
by Gaza hospitals, including more than 100 seriously wounded. According to
local estimates, dozens are defined missing, presumed to be trapped beneath
destroyed buildings. The Palestinian ministry of health in Gaza claims that
the number of dead is even higher. The Gaza health system is in a state of
collapse and cannot provide an adequate response to the growing needs. The
closure imposed by Israel on all Gaza crossings, including the total closure
of Erez Crossing since last Friday, prevents the evacuation of patients and
wounded persons and deepens the human tragedy occurring in the Gaza Strip.
As the situation stands, Palestinian doctors are performing surgeries
without surgical gloves, local or general anesthetics, gauze, sterilized
equipment or sufficient oxygen for patients. All together, there are only
1,500 hospital beds available in Gaza's 13 publicly run hospitals. A fleet
of 60 ambulances is now reduced by half. The endless flow of new wounded and
the need for beds has led to a suspension of care for dozens of other
patients, including cancer, cardiac, and other chronically ill patients, who
have all been sent to their homes for the duration of the crisis. Patients
are not being permitted entry to Egypt and all referrals out of Gaza via
Erez crossing have been suspended.
....
Physicians for Human Rights, PHR-Israel accepts donations via check or bank
transfer. To send a check by post, make check payable to Physicians for
Human Rights-Israel and send to: PHR-Israel Attn: Gila Norich, Director of
Development 9 Dror St. Jaffa Tel Aviv
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POALILIT IBAN: IL-70-0126-6200-0000-0025-938
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Checks should be made payable to "New Israel Fund". A note with the check
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should be sent, together with your name and address and a completed gift
<http://www.bsst.org.uk/BSSTdonation_form.doc> aid form to: British Shalom
Salaam Trust PO Box 39378 London SE13 5WH
For additional information on the current health crisis gathered by
Physicians for Human Rights, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Gaza) and the
Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) on the current crisis please click
here
<http://www.phr.org.il/phr/article.asp?articleid=652&catid=55&pcat=-1&lang=ENG>
.
====================
2)
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10075.shtml
Union urges immediate boycott following Gaza university bombing
Appeal, Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors and
Employees, 30 December 2008
The following appeal was issued on 29 December 2008:
The Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors and Employees
condemns in the strongest possible terms the bombing today of the campus of
the Islamic University in Gaza. This wanton destruction of an academic
institution is only the latest in the ongoing lethal campaign launched by
the Israeli government and army against Palestinian society in the Gaza
Strip. This murderous rampage has caused more than 300 deaths and the injury
of close to 1,500 Palestinians. And the carnage continues with impunity.
We add our voice to the urgent appeal issued two days ago by the Palestinian
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC) urging
international civil society not just to protest and condemn Israel's
massacre in Gaza, but also to join and intensify the international boycott,
divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel to end its impunity
and to hold it accountable for its persistent violations of international
law and Palestinian rights. We agree that, without sustained, effective
pressure by people of conscience the world over, Israel will continue with
its gradual, rolling acts of genocide against the Palestinians, burying any
prospects for a just peace under the blood and rubble of Gaza, Nablus and
Jerusalem.
Today, at the height of the lethal Israeli assault against the Palestinian
people in Gaza, we are met with deafening silence emanating from the Israeli
academy. Does it condone the murderous bombing campaign that its government
is carrying out in the name of all Israelis? Are the members of the academy
dutifully preparing for the reserve call-up just approved by their
government, ready to serve in the death squads committing war crimes around
the clock? Are Israeli universities willing to call for an end to the
occupation? Are they going to cut their organic and deep-rooted ties with
the military-security establishment? There is no doubt that the aggression
against the Gaza Strip has reached horrendous proportions, described by many
international public figures as constituting war crimes and a continuation
of the ethnic cleansing unleashed 60 years ago.
We urge academics around the world to intensify their boycott of Israeli
academic institutions, and to isolate the Israeli academy in international
forums, associations of academics, and other international venues. Israeli
academic institutions are complicit in the entrenched system of oppression
practiced by the Israeli state, and their silence at this critical moment is
only the most vociferous indicator of this complicity.
Dr. Amjad Barham President Palestinian Federation of Unions of University
Professors and Employees
====================
3)
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3648346,00.html
YNet News 12.31.08
British telecom firm severs ties with Israeli counterparts
UK's FreedomCall informs Israeli company of decision via email, blames Gaza
operation Meir Orbach
British telecommunications firm FreedomCall has terminated its cooperation
with Israel's MobileMax due to the IDF operation in Gaza.
"We received an email from the British company informing us that it is
severing all ties with us and any other Israeli company following Israel's
strike in Gaza," said CEO Raanan Cohen.
"We weren't expecting this from them and there was no prior warning. I don't
intend to appeal to them or answer the letter."
The email from FreedomCall said, "As a result of the Israeli government
action in the last few days we will no longer be in a position to consider
doing business with yourself or any other Israeli company."
MobileMax, established in 2004, produces a program providing cellular phones
with inexpensive international service.
====================
4)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadian civil society condemns massacre of 400 people in Gaza: Calls for
immediate action to end the assault
January 2nd, 2009 (Toronto): Opposition is growing across the country as
Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip enters its seventh day. Canadian Jewish,
Arab and a broad range of civil society organizations have drawn together
in protest of Israel's on-going massacre of the Palestinian population in
the area.
Press Conference: Friday, January 2nd, 2009
10am at the Sheraton Hotel: 123 Queen St W
Featuring; Judy Rebick (CAW Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and
Democracy, Ryerson University), Rafeef Ziadah (Palestine House), Alaa Khalaf
(Palestinian Canadian from Gaza), Mohamed Boudjenane (CAF Executive
Director)
Demonstration: Saturday, January 3rd, 2009
2pm at Dundas Sq. (Yonge and Dundas)
Over 400 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military in the last
week, making this the single worst massacre in Gaza since it was illegally
occupied in 1967. As many as 2000 others have been injured and the threat of
further killings hangs heavily as Israel is refusing a 48 hour humanitarian
ceasefire and is mobilizing for what now appears to be an inevitable ground
invasion.
"This assault is a collective punishment of the entire population of Gaza,
it is clearly targeting and murdering civilians - it is a blatant war crime
by an Occupying force" says Rafeef Ziadah of Palestine House.
Gaza has been under an illegal and internationally condemned siege since
April 2006. With little reprieve, this siege has restricted all flow of aid,
medical supplies, fuel and other necessities of life into the territory.
This latest military assault has created a humanitarian catastrophe. "The
Israeli assault on Gaza is one of the worst human rights violations we have
seen in decades," says Judy Rebick, "people of conscience must speak out".
The Canadian government has not condemned Israel's clear violation of
international law and war crimes in the Gaza Strip, which is consistent with
their longstanding policy of unconditional support for Israel. Stephen
Harper's government was the first foreign country to cut aid to Palestine in
2006.
"We are calling upon the Canadian government to act immediately and demand
that Israel halt their aggression upon the population of Gaza. Canada must
also demand that Israel ends the siege on Gaza and open the borders to allow
for food, medicine, water and other essentials to life." said Khaled
Mouammar, President of the Canadian Arab Federation.
United Nations Human Rights Rapporteur in the Occupied Territories, Richard
Falk, spoke directly to foreign governments like Canada, saying: "The
Israeli airstrikes today, and the catastrophic human toll that they caused,
challenge those countries that have been and remain complicit, either
directly or indirectly, in Israel's violations of international law. That
complicity includes...those countries who have supported and participated in
the siege of Gaza that itself has caused a humanitarian catastrophe."
The coalition is calling for all Canadians to demonstrate against the
Israeli assault on Gaza and to rally the Canadian government to condemn
Israel's war crimes, to lift the siege on the people of Gaza, and to cut
Canada's military and economic ties with Israel until such time as it
complies with international law. People will demonstrate and march in
Toronto this coming Saturday January 3, 2009 at Dundas Square at 2pm.
The demonstration has been endorsed by many civil society organizations from
around the country.
For more information, please contact: Palestine House Media
416-890-3703
====================
5)
CUPE
January 2, 2009
The Right Honorable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
Re: Middle East Crisis
On behalf of the 570,000 members of CUPE I am writing to demand that the
Canadian government condemn the military assault on the people of Gaza that
the State of Israel commenced on December 26, 2008.
CUPE condemns all acts of violence in the Middle East, including the Hamas
rockets being launched into Israel and the Israeli offensive mentioned
above. To date, your government has stated publically your support for the
Israeli people to protect themselves from attack. This is a woefully
inadequate and frankly shameful response on behalf of Canadians.
Professor Richard Falk, the UN's Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the
Occupied Territories has characterized the Israeli offensive as containing
"...severe and massive violations of international humanitarian law as
defined in the Geneva Conventions, both in regards to the obligations of an
Occupying Power and in the requirements of the laws of war".
Professor Falk cites three clear violations, including: collective
punishment - the entire 1.5 million people who live in the Gaza Strip are
being punished. Dozens of civilians have been killed.
Secondly, he cites targeting civilians: The Israeli airstrikes are aimed at
the civilian areas of one of the most crowded areas on the planet. Finally
he cites, "disproportionate military response": The air assault has not
only destroyed Gaza's police and security offices, but has killed and
injured hundreds of civilians.
He concludes by stating while the Hamas rocket attacks are unlawful they do
not give Israel the right either as an Occupying Power or a sovereign state
to violate international humanitarian law and commit war crimes or crimes
against humanity in its response.
CUPE demands that the Canadian government, as a member nation of the UN,
condemn the serious violations of humanitarian and international law by the
State of Israel as outlined above, and to lend Canada's voice to those
nations seeking an immediate ceasefire and a renewed commitment to the
pursuit of peace in the Middle East.
Yours truly,
PAUL MOIST National President Canadian Union of Public Employees
cc: Michael Ignatieff, Liberal Leader Jack Layton, NDP Leader Gilles
Duceppe, Bloc Québécois Leader National Executive Board Ken Georgetti, CLC
====================
6)
International Herald Tribune January 8, 2009
Red Cross: Israel delayed access to Gaza wounded
UN halting aid deliveries to Gaza, citing Israeli military actions against
its premises and personnel
Geneva - The international Red Cross accused Israel on Thursday of
"unacceptable" delays in letting rescue workers reach three Gaza City homes
hit by shelling where they eventually found 15 dead and 18 wounded,
including young children too weak to stand.
The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross said the Israeli
army refused rescuers permission to reach the site in the Zeitoun
neighborhood for four days. Ambulances could not get to the neighborhood
because the Israeli army had erected large earthen barriers that blocked
access.
Israel said the delay was caused by fighting in the area and accused Hamas
of using Palestinian civilians as human shields. Since Wednesday, Israel has
observed a daily three-hour halt in operations to allow humanitarian
evacuations and aid deliveries throughout Gaza.
Eventually, rescuers from the international Red Cross and Palestine Red
Crescent received permission to go into the shelled houses on Wednesday,
four days after the buildings were hit by Israeli shells.
"This is a shocking incident," Pierre Wettach, head of the ICRC for the
region, said.
The rescue team "found four small children next to their dead mothers in one
of the houses. They were too weak to stand up on their own. One man was also
found alive, too weak to stand up," the statement said. "In all, there were
at least 12 corpses lying on mattresses" in one of the houses, it added.
The Geneva-based organization said the children and the wounded had to be
transported by donkey cart to ambulances.
"The Israeli military must have been aware of the situation but did not
assist the wounded," the international Red Cross said. "Neither did they
make it possible for us or the Palestine Red Crescent to assist the
wounded."
The ICRC normally conducts confidential negotiations with warring parties,
and the statement was a rare public criticism of one party to a conflict
over a specific incident.
The organization said it believes "in this instance, the Israeli military
failed to meet its obligation under international humanitarian law to care
for and evacuate the wounded."
"It considers the delay in allowing rescue services access unacceptable,"
the Red Cross statement said.
The organization alleged Israel also refused requests to go to other
destroyed houses in the same neighborhood of Gaza City, where they had
reports of more wounded people.
Red Cross medics in Gaza could not be reached for comment on the condition
of the children rescued from Zeitoun on Wednesday. The Palestine Red
Crescent said the children are in the Shifa and al-Quds hospitals in Gaza
City.
The Associated Press was not able to visit the hospitals because of the
dangers of moving around Gaza, and it has been difficult to obtain
information from the hospitals about the children because staff are
overwhelmed with casualties and unable to talk with reporters.
Red Cross spokesman Iyad Nasr said emergency crews evacuated 105 more
injured people from Zeitoun on Thursday and were struggling to find shelter
for them. Also Thursday, a Palestinian health official said the bodies of 35
people have been found in the rubble of bombed out building in Gaza City
during a three-hour pause in fighting, many of them in Zeitoun neighborhood.
The Israeli military did not comment on the specifics of the Red Cross
allegations, but said it is closely cooperating with international aid
organizations during the Gaza fighting to assist civilians caught in the
crossfire.
"The Israel Defense Forces are engaged in a battle with the Hamas terrorist
organization that has deliberately used Palestinian civilians as human
shields," a military statement said. "The IDF in no way intentionally
targets civilians and has demonstrated its willingness to abort operations
to save civilian lives and to risk injury in order to assist innocent
civilians."
Israel said it would investigate any formal complaint against the army's
conduct within the constraints of the current military operation.
Israel's ambassador in Geneva, Aharon Leshno-Yaar, denied his country was
failing in its humanitarian obligations.
"Once the military activity was over, then it was possible for humanitarian
teams to evacuate the wounded," he told The Associated Press.
Leshno-Yaar said Israel respects international humanitarian law and is
working with aid groups to allow the wounded to be removed and in some cases
transferred to hospitals in Israel.
But aid groups say safe passage around Gaza remains a problem.
On Thursday, the United Nations said it was halting all aid deliveries to
Gaza, citing Israeli military actions against its premises and personnel.
The World Health Organization said 21 Palestinian medical workers have been
killed and 30 injured since Israel launched its offensive on Dec. 27.
The Associated Press
====================
7)
http://www.freegaza.org/en/home/658-a-call-from-within-signed-by-israeli-citizens
A Call from Within - signed by Israeli citizens
Thursday, 08 January 2009
Written by 540 Israeli citizens
In support of the Palestinian Human Rights Community Call for International
Action
As if the occupation was not enough, the brutal ongoing repression of the
Palestinian population, the construction of settlements and the siege of
Gaza - now comes the bombardment of the civilian population: men, women, old
folks and children. Hundreds of dead, hundreds of injured, overwhelmed
hospitals, and the central medicine depot of Gaza bombed. The ship Dignity
of the Free Gaza movement which brought emergency medical supplies and a
number of physicians was also attacked. Israel has returned to openly
committing war crimes, worse than what we have seen in a long time.
Israeli media do not expose their viewers to the horrors and to the voices
of severe criticism of these crimes. The story told is uniform. Israeli
dissidents are denounced as traitors. Public opinion including that of the
Zionist left supports the Israeli policy uncritically and without
reservation.
Israel's destructive criminal policy will not cease without a massive
intervention by the international community. However, except for some rather
weak official condemnation, the international community is reluctant to
intervene,. The United States openly supports the Israeli violence and
Europe, although voicing some condemnation, is unwilling to seriously
consider withdrawing the "gift" it handed Israel by upgrading its relations
with the European Union.
In the past the world knew how to fight criminal policies. The boycott on
South Africa was effective, but Israel is handled with kid gloves: its trade
relations are flourishing, academic and cultural cooperation continue and
intensify with diplomatic support.
This international backing must stop. That is the only way to stop the
insatiable Israeli violence.
We are calling on the world to stop Israeli violence and not allow the
continuation of the brutal occupation. We call on the world to Condemn and
not become an accomplice in Israel's crimes.
In light of the above, we call on the world to implement the call by
Palestinian human rights organizations which urges:
. "The UN Security Council to call an emergency session and adopt concrete
measures, including the imposition of sanctions, in order to ensure Israel's
fulfillment of its obligations under international humanitarian law. . The
High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their
obligation under common Article 1 to ensure respect for the provisions of
the Conventions, taking appropriate measures to compel Israel to abide by
its obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular placing
pivotal importance on the respect and protection of civilians from the
effects of the hostilities. . The High Contracting Parties to fulfil their
legal obligation under Article 146 of the Fourth Geneva Convention to
prosecute those responsible for grave breaches of the Convention. . EU
institutions and member states to make effective use of the European Union
Guidelines on promoting compliance with international humanitarian law
(2005/C 327/04) to ensure Israel complies with international humanitarian
law under paragraph 16 (b), (c) and (d) of these guidelines, including the
adoption of immediate restrictive measures and sanctions, as well as
cessation of all upgrade dialogue with Israel. "
Signed by 540 Israeli citizens
continues at:
http://www.freegaza.org/en/home/658-a-call-from-within-signed-by-israeli-citizens
====================
8)
Norway: unions mobilize against Israeli war crimes in Gaza
De: Omar Barghouti
Date: 8 janvier 2009 16:10:56 GMT+01:00
Norway - historical mobilization against Gaza massacres - unions on
political strike
A most impressive, EFFECTIVE solidarity with Palestine is sweeping Norway.
Demonstrations have now been held in at least 28 cities: Oslo, Stavanger,
Sandnes, Fredrikstad, Trondheim, Hamar, Sortland, Namsos, Arendal,
Norheimsund, Mosjøen, Bergen, Sarpsborg, Tønsberg, Harstad, Tromsø,
Kristiansand, Notodden, Vadsø, Mo i Rana, Alta, Kirkenes, Røros, Volda,
Halden, Gjøvik, Lillehammer, Selbu.
The numbers of participants have never been bigger.
Union activities:
POLITICAL STRIKE: Thursday ALL trains in the whole of Norway, and all trams
and subways in Oslo, will stand still for two minutes as a result of a
political strike organized by the Norwegian Locomotive Union and the Oslo
Tram Workers Union in protest of the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
A large selection of Norwegian trade unions and organizations has endorsed a
new campaign for the withdrawal of all State investments in Israel. The call
is endorsed by so far 6 of the largest national trade unions.
The Union of Trade and Office Workers calls on all members to ask their
employers to remove Israeli products from stores. The union is the by far
largest union of workers in all types of private and public stores in
Norway.
The confederation of Norwegian Trade Unions (LO), with apr. 1/5 of the whole
Norwegian population as members, condemns the Israeli bombing and invasion
in Gaza and calls for demonstrations.
The Norwegian Church has protested Israels invasion of Gaza and was,
according to media, "called to the carpet" by the Israeli embassador.
22.000 supports the Facebook-group demanding the embassador to be expelled
from Norway. The Facebook-group has got attention in all major newspaper and
was hacked by a Zionist hacker-group but is now back on track.
31% of Norwegians supports the boycott of Israel, in a survey by the
pro-Israel tabloid VG today. The question was politicaly charged "Do you
support the Socialist Left's boycott of Israel?" If not mentioning the
Socialists the number would probably be much higher. The vast majority in
all groups in the survey is against the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
====================
9)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7828536.stm
BBC News 14 January 2009
Tel Aviv 'should face war crimes probe'
NINE Israeli human rights groups united on Wednesday to call for Israel's
top leaders to face a war crimes investigation over their apparent disregard
for international law.
The groups, which came together under the umbrella name Clear and Present
Danger, say in a letter to top Israeli politicians and military officers
that Operation Cast Lead "constitutes a blatant violation of the laws of
warfare and raises the suspicion, which we ask be investigated, of the
commission of war crimes."
The groups, including B'Tselem, Gisha, Yesh Din and Physicians For Human
Rights, warned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and
Israel Defence Forces chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi that "the responsibility
of the state of Israel is clear and beyond doubt.
"After the fighting ends, the time will come for those responsible for the
violations to face the consequences," it observed.
Israel's ongoing blitz of Gaza has now killed over 1,000 and wounded 5,000.
Medical staff confirm that the majority of dead or injured are civilians.
The human rights activists observe that the unrelenting assault has left
thousands of civilians homeless with nowhere to flee, caused the health-care
system to collapse and deprived many of electricity and running water.
The collapse of the water and sewage systems in Gaza could trigger an
outbreak of infectious diseases at any time.
They called on the government to open an escape route for Gaza's civilians,
provide immediate medical treatment for all the sick and wounded and improve
access for rescue personnel, who have been prevented from reaching areas
where fighting has taken place.
There have been at least six instances of Israeli soldiers firing on medical
crews, resulting in 12 deaths and 17 wounded.
The groups have documented 15 cases of the Israeli military firing on
medical facilities.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor responded: "Freedom of
expression in Israel is just that - freedom to express any opinion, even if
it is not based on any solid evidence and even if it is tainted with
political bias."
International solidarity activists left Cyprus for Gaza on Wednesday in a
renewed bid to deliver about five tons of donated food and medical supplies
to the occupied territory after rough weather and engine trouble forced them
to abort their initial attempt on Monday.
Free Gaza group organisers replaced a faulty generator on their 66-foot
Greek-flagged vessel and set sail from Larnaca port with 21 passengers.
====================
10)
Education International Calls For Immediate Gaza Cease-Fire & Exemption of
Education Institutions From Conflict In Palestine:
http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=939&theme=solidarityfund&country=palestine
====================
11)
Iranian and Morrocan Jews slam Israel over Gaza slaughter
Mizrahi Jews slam Israel over Gaza slaughter Morocco's Jewish Communities
Council expresses solidarity with Gazans
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/general/morocco_s_jewish_com/view
"We are horrified by the unjustified carnage which killed around 1,000
people in Gaza"
Press TV - Iranian Jews slam Israel over Gaza Sun, 28 Dec 2008
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=79741§ionid=351020101
Iranian Jews protest Gaza 'slaughter'
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230456535610&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Iranian Jews oppose Gaza operation - Israel News, Ynetnews Heads of Jewish
congregation in Iran: No good reason for IDF's 'campaign of death'
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3270024,00.html
====================
12)
New York Times January 18, 2009
Gazan Doctor and Peace Advocate Loses 3 Daughters to Israeli Fire and Asks
Why
By DINA KRAFT
TEL HASHOMER, Israel - Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish is a Gazan and a doctor who
has devoted his life to medicine and reconciliation between Israelis and
Palestinians.
But on Saturday, the day after three of his daughters and a niece were
killed by Israeli fire in Gaza, Dr. Abuelaish, 53, struggled to hold on to
the humane philosophy that has guided his life and work.
As he sat in a waiting room of the Israeli hospital where he works part
time, he asked over and over, "Why did they do this?"
Elsewhere in the hospital another daughter and a niece were being treated
for their wounds.
"I dedicated my life really for peace, for medicine," said Dr. Abuelaish,
who does joint research projects with Israeli physicians and for years has
worked as something of a one-man force to bring injured and ailing Gazans
for treatment in Israel.
"This is the path I believed in and what I raised and educated my children
to believe," he said.
Dr. Abuelaish said he wanted the Israeli Army to tell him why his home,
which he said harbored no militants, had been fired upon. He said if a
mistake had been made and an errant tank shell had hit his home, he expected
an apology, not excuses.
The doctor, a recent widower, had not left Gaza since the Israeli assault
began last month and was at home in the Jabaliya refugee camp with his eight
children and other family members during the attack on Friday.
An army spokesman said that a preliminary investigation had shown that
soldiers were returning fire toward the direction of areas from which they
had been fired upon.
"The Israeli Defense Forces does not target innocents or civilians, and
during the operation the army has been fighting an enemy that does not
hesitate to fire from within civilian targets," said the spokesman, speaking
anonymously on behalf of the army.
The Israeli public became witness to the Abuelaish family's tragedy on
Friday night when a conversation that a television journalist was having
with Dr. Abuelaish was broadcast live.
In a video now available on YouTube, the doctor implored the journalist,
whom he had called, to help send assistance, wailing, "My daughters have
been killed."
Journalists had come to know the doctor, who was already well known in the
country's medical establishment, because he has been providing witness
accounts of the Israeli operation for television stations. After the
broadcast, an ambulance was sent to a border crossing to pick up the doctor
and the two wounded girls. His four other children remain in Gaza and are
expected to join him in Israel soon.
At the Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer on Saturday, Dr. Abuelaish
was surrounded by Israeli colleagues. Several were crying. Tammie Ronen, a
professor of social work at Tel Aviv University, knelt beside the doctor.
"You cannot let yourself collapse, you have your living children to take
care of," said Dr. Ronen. Dr. Ronen had worked with him in researching the
effects of conflict-related stress on Palestinian children in Gaza and
Israeli children in Sderot, a border town that has been the main target of
Gazan rocket fire in recent years.
"Tell them who my children were," said Dr. Abuelaish, spotting Anael Harpaz,
an Israeli woman who runs a peace camp in New Mexico for Israeli and
Palestinian girls that three of his daughters attended, including his
eldest, Bisan, 20, who was killed Friday. The other two daughters who were
killed were Mayar, 15, and Aya, 13. The doctor's niece who died, Nur
Abuelaish, was 17.
Dr. Abuelaish recalled that it was Bisan who, after her mother died of
leukemia, urged him to continue his work in Israel, saying she would look
after the younger children.
In a hospital room, Ms. Harpaz held 17-year-old Shada Abuelaish's hand as a
nurse placed drops of medicine on her tongue. The girl's forehead was
covered in bandages as was her right eye, which had been operated on in
hopes of saving it. The niece who was wounded is in critical condition, with
shrapnel wounds.
Outside the room, Ms. Harpaz crumpled into a chair, sobbing.
"I hope this is a wake-up call," she said. "This is such a peace-loving
family."
Dr. Abuelaish is a rarity: a Gazan at home among Israelis. He describes
himself as a bridge between the two worlds, one of the few Gazans with a
permit to enter Israel because of his work.
"I wanted every Palestinian treated in Israel to go back and say how well
the Israelis treated them," he said. "That is the message I wanted to spread
all the time. And this is what I get in return?"
Later, sitting on a plastic chair near his daughter's hospital room, Dr.
Abuelaish spoke with the prayer of so many parents who have buried their
children as part of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "I hope that my children
will be the last price."
====================
13)
http://palnews24.blogspot.com/2009/01/italy-largest-union-prosecute-israeli.html
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Italy's largest union: Prosecute Israeli war crimes, suspend EU Agreement
Federazione Impiegati Operai Metallurgici nazionale (FIOM), the largest
metalworkers union in Italy, with 360,000 members called for prosecuting
Israeli officials for war crimes and suspension of the European Union
Agreement with Israel. FIOM-Cgil (the largest workers federation in Italy)
is affiliated to European and international metalworkers federations.
The following is a translation of their statement posted on the Union's
website at:
http://www.fiom.cgil.it/internazionale/mondo/palestina_israele/08_12_28.htm
For nearly two years the Gaza Strip has been subjected to what can only be
described as a state of siege by Israel, with interruption of electricity,
lack of heating, scarcity of drinking water, a healthcare emergency and no
freedom of movement for persons or goods. UN Observers have repeatedly
denounced the condition of the inhabitants of Gaza as inhumane, in violation
of all International Conventions on Human Rights.
Thus, it appears a kind of "collective punishment" has been imposed on all
Palestinians because of the vote expressed in the democratic elections two
years ago, with a Hamas victory. For FIOM, the negative political
evaluation of this organization is not up for discussion and we reiterate
our choice to support the formation of an independent, secular and
democratic Palestinian state living in peace and mutual security with that
of Israel.
What we denounce is the international community's tolerance and, in fact,
support of the mistaken choice of the siege, which contributed to the
strengthening of the fundamentalist forces and armed groups of all types,
rather than their isolation. The launch of Kassam rockets on Israel is also
the result of this situation. This rocket fire is wrong and illegal, because
it hurts Israeli civilians. It is harmful to the Palestinian cause itself.
And it is used to create consensus in the Israeli population on the
offensive against the people of Gaza. The Israeli army began its attack on
Gaza on December 27, 2008, with a substantial deployment of forces, followed
by a land invasion and use of white phosphorus on the civilian population,
which is banned by international conventions, causing a true massacre, and
committing intolerable war crimes for any democratic conscience.
Israel has gone so far as to attempt to hide what is happening, preventing
International Observers and journalists from entering Gaza. Those
responsible for these crimes must be prosecuted and judged by the relevant
international institutions. The Israeli government should be held
accountable for its repeated violations of international law, including
humanitarian law, by national governments, the European Union, the
international community, just as violations committed by any other
government would be.
In particular, the EU-Israel Association Agreement, whose application is
bound to respect of human rights, should be immediately suspended; the
Italian government, which, unlike other European governments, has
characterized itself in a negative light by the complete subordination and
support of political choices of the Israeli government, must suspend the
Military Cooperation Agreement of Italy with Israel, a belligerent country
that violates international law and human rights.
In denouncing this situation, the FIOM Central Committee believes it
necessary to immediately ensure that all political forces, the government,
European and international institutions work for:
- An immediate, general and permanent ceasefire;
- Humanitarian protection of the civilian population of Gaza;
- An end to the invasion of Gaza and withdrawal of Israeli troops;
- Cessation of missile fire on Israel;
- An end to the siege and embargo of Gaza;
- Concrete steps to achieve a rapid end to the occupation of
Palestinian territories.
These conditions can promote the opening of a negotiated peace - based on
the resolutions of the United Nations - which includes all stakeholders,
beginning with the legitimate institution of the PNA, and finding ways to
include Hamas as a democratically elected representative.
The FIOM Central Committee condemns all initiatives of an anti-Semitic
nature and those that deny the right of the State of Israel to exist.
We judge negatively all anti-Arab or anti-Muslim expressions.
We express our solidarity to Palestinian people and our support to that
brave minority inside Israeli civil society that is fighting against the
occupation, against the Gaza siege and the current massacre.
We commit ourselves to supporting the above-mentioned objectives and in
participating in all the activities that focus on them.
On the 17th of January, different groups and coalitions called for two
separate demonstrations for the ceasefire in Gaza. Although we think these
simultaneous demonstration inopportune, we believe that it is essential that
the two initiatives not to be in contrast, because in both cases the
demonstrations are in solidarity with Palestinian people and to stop the
massacre.
Therefore, FIOM, in addition to participating in the demonstration in
Assisi, called by Tavola della Pace, that engages the whole of Cgil, will
also be present with a delegation at the demonstration in Rome, called by
the Palestinian Community.
Read the document in Italian at:
http://www.fiom.cgil.it/cc/cc_09_01_13-odg_gaza.pdf
====================
14)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/16/gaza-israel-petitions
The Guardian, Friday 16 January 2009
Growing outrage at the killings in Gaza
The massacres in Gaza are the latest phase of a war that Israel has been
waging against the people of Palestine for more than 60 years. The goal of
this war has never changed: to use overwhelming military power to eradicate
the Palestinians as a political force, one capable of resisting Israel's
ongoing appropriation of their land and resources. Israel's war against the
Palestinians has turned Gaza and the West Bank into a pair of gigantic
political prisons. There is nothing symmetrical about this war in terms of
principles, tactics or consequences. Israel is responsible for launching and
intensifying it, and for ending the most recent lull in hostilities.
Israel must lose. It is not enough to call for another ceasefire, or more
humanitarian assistance. It is not enough to urge the renewal of dialogue
and to acknowledge the concerns and suffering of both sides. If we believe
in the principle of democratic self-determination, if we affirm the right to
resist military aggression and colonial occupation, then we are obliged to
take sides... against Israel, and with the people of Gaza and the West Bank.
We must do what we can to stop Israel from winning its war. Israel must
accept that its security depends on justice and peaceful coexistence with
its neighbours, and not upon the criminal use of force.
We believe Israel should immediately and unconditionally end its assault on
Gaza, end the occupation of the West Bank, and abandon all claims to possess
or control territory beyond its 1967 borders. We call on the British
government and the British people to take all feasible steps to oblige
Israel to comply with these demands, starting with a programme of boycott,
divestment and sanctions.
====================
15)
http://www.ueunion.org/ueactionupdates.html?news=451
16 January, 2009
UE General Executive Board Calls for End to Bloodshed in Gaza
Meeting in Pittsburgh January 15 and 16, UE's General Executive Board
adopted a statement condemning the current war in the Gaza Strip. The union's
national leadership body reiterated the position adopted by delegates to UE's
70th Convention in 2007, which called for "replacing the lopsided pro-Israel
policy of the U.S. with a good faith, even-handed effort to achieve lasting
peace between Israel and Palestine based on full justice and mutual
respect." The GEB called on the incoming Obama administration to move
quickly to initiate such a new policy.
Statement on the Conflict in Gaza
We are appalled by the rising death toll and human suffering that have
resulted over the past few weeks from the worsening conflict between Israel
and Palestine, in particular Israel's military assault on Gaza. While we in
no way condone the provocative and senseless firing of rockets into Israel
by Hamas, the Israeli response shows a complete disrespect for human life
and violates all standards of international law. More than 1,000
Palestinians have been killed so far, and of those, more that 300 are
children. Close to 5,000 have been wounded already, as the fighing
continues.
In a scathing statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross, which
carefully avoids taking sides in conflicts, has accused the Israeli army of
failing to meet its obligation under international humanitarian law to care
for and evacuate the wounded and to recover the bodies of those killed in
the fighting, many of whom are women and children.
Even before the current military offensive began in late December, the
humanitarian situation in Gaza was dire. Gazans live in poverty with one of
the highest population densities in the world - 1.4 million people crowded
into a territory just 25 miles long and approximately 5 miles wide.
Malnutrition is widespread, and conditions have been made worse over the
past three years by Israel's economic blockade causing severe shortages of
food, medical supplies, heating and cooking oil and other essentials. Many
Gaza civilians have lost access to safe drinking water and to electricity,
in the recent fighting. The Vatican said in recent days that the conditions
in Gaza "increasingly resemble a big concentration camp."
Delegates to UE's 70th Convention in September 2007 adopted a resolution on
the need for change in U.S. foreign policy. On the Israel-Palestine
conflict, it called for "replacing the lopsided pro-Israel policy of the
U.S. with a good faith, even-handed effort to achieve lasting peace between
Israel and Palestine based on full justice and mutual respect." The
resolution said that the current "one-sided" U.S. policy "perpetuates
injustice, instability, and the threat of war," and pointed out that, "U.S.
aid to Israel far exceeds that of any other country, although Israel is by
far the richest country receiving U.S. aid."
We agree with the January 2 statement issued by U.S. Labor Against the War
(USLAW), a leading labor voice for peace with which UE is affiliated, which
said in part:
"The U.S. government supplied Israel with the military means to carry out
this attack and has generously underwritten the Israeli government and
military with tens of billions of U.S. tax dollars. Our government's failure
to condemn this latest action makes it complicit. The economic crisis which
daily deepens in the U.S. requires that we seriously reorient our foreign
policy and stop spending hard earned taxpayer dollars on proxy wars and
reinvest the needed resources right here at home. We urge all parties to
agree to an immediate cease fire and seek peaceful and lasting solutions.
Recent history demonstrates that bombings, rocket attacks, blockades and
military invasions won't provide the best road to peace and security for the
peoples of the region. Quite the contrary, such actions perpetuate the cycle
of death, destruction, fear and heightened insecurity among the people of
all countries, including us here in the U.S."
Senzeni Zokwana, president of the International Federation of Chemical,
Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM, with which UE is affiliated)
and president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in South Africa,
issued a statement for the ICEM that calls on all parties to address the
serious humanitarian needs in Gaza. "There must be the immediate opening of
border crossings to ensure that the people of Gaza are supplied with food,
water, fuel and medical treatment. The Israeli blockade of Gaza must be
immediately lifted and full, unimpeded and urgent access for medical teams
allowed."
UE reiterates its position in favor of peace, security, justice and mutual
respect for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. We add our voice to the
many voices calling for an immediate end to the killing and the suffering.
We call on the new Obama administration to immediately inaugurate a new U.S.
policy that addresses the needs and aspirations of the Palestinians as well
as of Israelis, and that will bring about true peace on the basis of human
rights principles.
UE General Executive Board January 16, 2009
====================
16)
http://www.labournet.net/world/0901/sfwu1.html
New Zealand: Union calls on members to protest Israeli aggression
Report by Service & Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota Published: 16/01/09
The Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota is calling on union
members to join protests against the Israeli military aggression towards
Gaza.
SFWU Northern Regional Secretary Jill Ovens says many New Zealanders are
feeling helpless to stop the massacre of the people in Gaza by the Israelis
and we need to find a way to express our outrage.
"We urge our members in Auckland and Wellington to protest the serious
violations of international humanitarian law being committed by the Israeli
Government. This collective punishment of the Palestinian population is a
disproportionate response, which will not bring peace to the region. It must
stop."
The bombardment of a UN compound housing 700 Palestinian refugees today is
the latest in a long history of crimes committed during the Israeli
occupation of Palestine, and the Union is calling on the New Zealand
Government to condemn this violent act.
The union, which represents more than 22, 000 workers, is encouraging
members to attend the protest in Auckland this Saturday at Rakon Industries
(which manufactures crystal oscillators for targeted bombs used by the
Israeli air force in their attacks on Gaza) or the march from Cuba Street to
Parliament in Wellington next Tuesday (20 January).
For further information and comment please contact:
Jill Ovens 027 446 4966.
Notes for editors:
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi (which brings
together over 350, 000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions)
has already called upon the New Zealand Government to take a number of
practical actions including:
Revoking the credentials of the Israeli Ambassador to New Zealand.
Cutting contacts with Israeli military and intelligence officials outside of
official UN sponsored peacekeeping or observer liaison.
Ensuring that New Zealand does not import goods manufactured, in whole or in
part, in the Occupied Territories.
Ensuring that the New Zealand government does not make use of Israeli
products or services in its procurement provisions.
Taking steps to ensure that New Zealand sourced goods and services are not
used by Israel to further its occupation of Palestinian lands.
Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota www.sfwu.org
====================
17)
http://www.pacbi.org/boycott_news_more.php?id=882_0_1_0_C
PACBI | | January 18, 2009
Israel Bombs University Teachers Association in Gaza--Boycott Now!
Occupied Palestine - PACBI learned today from its Steering Committee member,
Dr. Haidar Eid, that the headquarters of the University Teachers
Association-Palestine, in Gaza, was bombed by the Israeli occupation forces
during their indiscriminate, willful destruction campaign in the Tal el-Hawa
neighborhood of Gaza City on Friday.
This latest wanton attack on an academic organization is far from being an
exception. It is only the latest episode in what Oxford University academic
Karma Nabulsi has termed "scholasticide,"[1] or Israel's systematic and
intentional destruction of Palestinian education centers. In its current war
on Gaza alone, Israel has bombed the ministry of education, the Islamic
University of Gaza, and tens of schools, including at least 4 UNRWA schools,
after having largely destroyed the infrastructure of teaching throughout the
year and a half of its illegal and criminal siege of the densely populated
Gaza Strip.
The UTA headquarters is a detached two-story building that is clearly marked
with the Association's name. The bombed structure, which now stands without
a roof, has sustained heavy structural damage and may be in danger of
collapsing any time.
It is worth noting that the UTA, together with other Gaza-based civil
society organizations, called on January 15 [2] for a wide campaign of
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel in response to its
well documented, premeditated war crimes in Gaza. The Israeli bombing of
UTA's headquarters occurred on the exact following day, January 16.
In line with the statements issued by the Palestinian BDS National
Committee, BNC, [3] and the Palestinian Federation of Unions of University
Professors and Employees, PFUUPE, [4] PACBI condemns in the strongest
possible terms Israel's long record of war crimes and acts of genocide in
Gaza, during the siege as well as in this war of aggression. Israel's wanton
assaults have caused thousands of fatalities and injuries and threatened
tens of thousands more, particularly children, with chronic diseases,
stunted growth, severe malnutrition and heightened risk of mortality.
PACBI strongly believes that Israel's targeting of civilian homes, schools,
hospitals, ambulances, mosques, social and economic institutions, government
buildings, law and order organs, UN humanitarian facilities and shelters, as
well as higher education institutions should not go unpunished. Israel's
sense of unassailable impunity is a guaranteed recipe for repetition of its
crimes and nourishing its genocidal tendencies, as noted by UN Rapporteur
for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Prof. Richard Falk.
Specifically, and as a minimal response to these Israeli atrocities and
grave violations of international law and the most basic human rights, PACBI
calls on academics, academic unions, intellectuals, cultural workers and
institutions the world over to intensify the boycott of all Israeli academic
and cultural institutions due to their complicity in the Israeli occupation
and other forms of oppression against the Palestinian people. Putting an end
to Israel's impunity and holding it accountable is the moral responsibility
of every conscientious human being today.
For media interviews with UTA spokespersons in Gaza, contact: Dr. Haidar
Eid - Mobile: + (970) 599 441 766 Dr. Asaad abu Sharkh - Mobile: + (970) 599
322 636
[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/10/gaza-schools [2]
http://www.pacbi.org/boycott_news_more.php?id=877_0_1_0_M [3]
http://www.bdsmovement.net/?q=node/235 [4]
http://www.pacbi.org/boycott_news_more.php?id=856_0_1_0_C
====================
18)
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/2009/01/19/8067891-sun.html
Toronto Sun January 20, 2009
Comment
The embattled Sid Ryan makes his case
By SID RYAN
There's a clear chill in the air. And it's not just coming from the deep
freeze of winter that's descended on us.
It's coming from the targeted silencing of many people world-wide concerned
about human rights violations -- myself included -- who have dared to speak
out against the Israeli state's military offensive against the people of
Gaza.
Opposing and targeting the policies of the Israeli state is not opposing and
targeting Jews. Neither is criticizing Israel synonymous with challenging
Israel's existence.
Yet, criticize the State of Israel and face individually targeted and
unprecedented criticism, threats and personal attacks -- tantamount to a new
form of McCarthyism.
Based on reported figures, 20 Israelis have been killed by rockets fired
from Gaza since 2000. The firing of these rockets is a completely
unacceptable violation of human rights. During the same period the United
Nations reports that Israel, which has one of the best equipped militaries
in the world, killed 2,677 Palestinians in Gaza.
There is no denying Israelis, too, are dying. But the reality is this is not
a fight between equals.
Civilians in Gaza with nowhere to flee face death daily. More than 1,000
people have been killed -- a quarter of them children. Thousands more have
been injured, and even more made homeless under bomb attacks. Shortages of
food, heat, electricity, and medical supplies massively compound the dangers
of air and ground assaults.
To say nothing about this injustice is morally bankrupt. This humanitarian
crisis demands that people speak out in the strongest possible way.
Here's how the organization I'm elected to lead -- CUPE Ontario -- joined
the ranks of those around the world who have called on civil society to hold
the state of Israel morally responsible for its nationalistic militarism.
In May 2006, delegates in Ontario voted to support an international campaign
of boycott, divestment and sanctions against the State of Israel because of
its refusal to comply with international law.
This month, CUPE Ontario is examining a motion, at the request of
Palestinian professors, university workers, and labour, that supports a
boycott of Israeli academic institutions, not individuals.
Boycotts have traditionally been used as a non-violent way to protest what
is unfair and to affect governments to change. In the campaign to end
colonial rule in India, Gandhi called for a boycott of British universities
and colleges as well as all British-made goods. The U.S. began a boycott of
the Moscow 1980 summer Olympics after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
There has been a furor in the media during last two weeks over CUPE
Ontario's human rights stand. It is as though Israel is beyond reproach
despite the human rights violations being perpetrated in Gaza.
STANDING UP
CUPE Ontario has stood up against human rights abuses all over the world and
in our own country and we will continue to do so.
Some have claimed targeting Israel for a boycott rather than other countries
that commit human rights abuses is anti-Semitic. In the 1960s, Canada played
a major role in an international boycott of South Africa. That highly
successful effort included academic, political, economic, cultural and
sports boycotts. The goal was to end apartheid.
When Canada boycotted South Africa, no one suggested at the time it couldn't
be done because we weren't boycotting other countries perpetrating human
rights violations, like Chile where the military dictator, Augusto Pinochet,
ruled his country with violent human rights abuse and corruption.
CUPE Ontario has a long and proud history of being at the forefront of
protecting human rights at home and abroad. We have spoken out on human
rights violations in Ireland, Columbia, Guatemala, Iran and Egypt.
CUPE Ontario pressured our municipal pension plan to divest from Talisman, a
Canadian oil company, when it came to light that the revenues were being
used to finance a civil war in Sudan.
It's not comfortable being a target of such vehement personal attacks, but
complicit silence would be worse.
-- Ryan is president of CUPE Ontario
====================
19)
Bloomberg January 22, 2009
Israel Deploys Lawyers to Head Off War-Crimes Charges
By Gwen Ackerman
The Israeli army deployed more than military force in its Gaza Strip
campaign: Along with tanks and soldiers, it used lawyers and leaflets in
what it says was an effort to save civilian lives and bolster its case
against accusations of war crimes.
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and B'tselem, the Israeli Center
for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, say Israeli actions in Gaza,
where a 22-day war killed more than 1,300 Palestinians, should be
investigated for possible war crimes.
While the organizations also say Hamas militants in Gaza violated
international law by indiscriminately firing rockets at Israeli civilians,
the war-crimes accusation is especially stinging in Israel, whose population
is made up in part of survivors of the Nazi Holocaust or their descendants.
Such allegations aren't new for Israel's military. At least three top army
officers have faced war-crimes charges in the past, in countries where such
suits are allowed. This time, Israel involved attorneys at the outset of the
campaign, as well as dropping 250,000 leaflets to warn civilians to flee
areas it was attacking.
"These are some of the actions that Israel took to avoid civilian
casualties, and that it can point to should war-crimes suits be filed," said
Major Avital Leibovitz, an army spokeswoman.
'Intimately Involved'
The Gaza "campaign was a long time in the works, and we were intimately
involved in the planning," said Lieutenant Colonel David Benjamin of the
Military Advocate Corps, which acts as the army's legal adviser. "Approval
of targets which can be attacked, methods of warfare -- it all has gone
through us."
Lawyers were deployed within divisional commands to advise officers on the
front lines which targets could be attacked under international law. Israeli
officials say military necessity and objectives were weighed against the
possibility of civilians getting hurt when targets were designated.
Aircraft dropped leaflets on dozens of occasions to warn civilians of
bombing runs, and soldiers made 3,000 phone calls to urge civilians to leave
areas facing attacks.
The army also used text messages to warn civilians their homes might be
bombed, and the military has posted videos on YouTube showing warplanes
diverting missiles fired at vehicles into open fields after civilians
appeared in the target area.
Work to Do
Still, Israeli officials are preparing for a wave of international
litigation. "I assume that following the Gaza events, we will have more
intensive and focused work to do on these matters," Attorney General
Menachem Mazuz said Jan. 11.
Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, and much of
the fighting took place in crowded neighborhoods. Almost half the
Palestinians killed were civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Army officials say Israel killed more than 500 Hamas gunmen.
"Israel's use of heavy artillery in residential areas of Gaza City violates
the prohibition under the laws of war against indiscriminate attacks," Human
Rights Watch said in a Jan. 16 press release.
An e-mailed statement from the army spokesman's office said the army
"attacked targets used for terrorist activity and did not hesitate to strike
those involved in terror even if they deliberately choose to operate from
locations of religious or cultural significance."
White Phosphorus
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International accuse Israel of using white
phosphorus shells, which can cause severe burns, in densely populated areas
in Gaza. White phosphorus is permissible under international law to provide
smoke screens, while the Geneva Convention bars the use of incendiary
ammunition against civilian targets.
The Israeli army said in an e-mailed statement it "uses weapons in
compliance with international law." It also said it was setting up an
investigation team "in order to remove any ambiguity."
John Ging, a United Nations official in Gaza, said on Jan. 17 that Israel
targeted five schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency, killing more
than 60 civilians. An Israeli army spokesman, speaking on customary
condition of anonymity, said a preliminary investigation showed that
soldiers returned fire after gunmen shot at them from either inside or in
the vicinity of the schools.
Unilateral Cease-Fire
Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire on Jan. 17, ending its military
campaign aimed at stopping cross-border rocket attacks and arms smuggling
into Gaza. Thirteen Israelis died, nine in combat and four from rocket
attacks, according to the army.
Pressing war-crimes allegations against Israel or Israeli citizens wouldn't
be easy. The country isn't among the signatories -- 108 countries, as of
July -- to the treaty that would allow charges against it in the
International Criminal Court, located in The Hague. One reason is that the
court's statute doesn't list terrorism as a crime, said Foreign Ministry
legal adviser Daniel Taub.
"The actions of the state defending itself against terrorism could come
before the court, but not the terrorism it is defending itself against," he
said. The U.S. isn't a signatory to the treaty either.
Because of Israel's legal stance toward the court, human- rights
organizations would be left to file cases against commanders in such
countries as the U.K. and Spain, where citizens can press charges against
officers for crimes that didn't take place on domestic territory.
Possible Arrest
Three years ago, the military warned Major General Doron Almog, former army
chief of the Gaza Strip, not to deplane at London's Heathrow Airport on
concern he would be arrested.
Almog was Gaza commander when Israeli warplanes bombed an apartment building
where Hamas commander Salah Shehadeh was residing, killing him and 14
others, nine of them children. The arrest warrant against Almog was issued
in 2005 after a British law firm and the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for
Human Rights filed charges for his alleged role. British police canceled the
warrant a week later for procedural reasons, Israel said then.
In 2002, a case was brought in Belgium against former Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon, accusing him of war crimes connected to massacres committed by an
Israeli-allied militia during Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon, when Sharon
was defense minister. The case was brought by relatives of those killed.
Belgium's Senate changed its war-crimes law in August 2003, abolishing the
clause that had allowed the case to be brought. The case was never
prosecuted. Sharon had a stroke in Jan. 2006 and has been in a coma since.
An arrest warrant against former army chief Moshe Yaalon by a New Zealand
court for the same attack was dismissed for lack of evidence.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has set up a team of intelligence and
legal experts to collect evidence on military operations in Gaza that may be
used to defend officers in the future, the Jerusalem Post said on Jan. 14.
The Defense Ministry declined comment.
To contact the reporters on this story: Gwen Ackerman in Jerusalem at
gackerman at bloomberg.net
====================
20)
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/01/19/1002360/anc-lawmakers-savagely-criticize-israel
Jewish Telegraphic Agency January 19, 2009
ANC lawmakers rip Israel
CAPE TOWN (JTA) -- African National Congress lawmakers said Israeli abuses
against Palestinians "make apartheid look like a Sunday school picnic."
Israeli Ambassador to South Africa Dov Segev-Steinberg, who was appearing
before the South African national assembly's foreign affairs committee on
Jan. 16, reportedly dismissed the apartheid comparisons as "rubbish,"
according to a report in Weekend Argus.
Committee chairman Job Sithole said that when Palestinians were forced to go
through checkpoints "like cattle through a dip, this is apartheid."
Another lawmaker accused the Israeli government of "ethnic cleansing"
against the Palestinians, and the granddaughter of Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Albert Luthuli strongly criticized Israel for preventing
international journalists from entering the Gaza Strip.
Segev-Steinberg said the South African government could contribute
"enormously" to peace in the region if it demonstrated a "more balanced
view" of events there.
Cosatu, one of the ruling alliance's partners, has called for the expulsion
of the ambassador, the embassy to be closed down, the boycott of Israeli
goods and the "savage rule of Zionism over the Palestinian territories to
come to an end."
==============
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